The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1866-08-16
From the Sixpenny Magazine.
THE IRON CROSS. ~
A Woman's Confession.
TcoNcLupEp.l

OOA O0AAAJs lA4O 40 INV VI
and most upright men in the place.
Why do you ask?
+" Because [ have promised to be
his wife," / replied. / shook like an
aspen; my strength seemed going
from me. o
Walter only bent his head, so that
[ could not see his face, and then said
in a low tone, after moments
silence:
:" I have feared this for some time,
Nellie l don't blame you; but [
doubt the wisdom of your choosing so
old man."
"Of course you do; it is natural
that you should" | spoke sharply,
and even rudely, but it was relief to
the pain that was gnawing at my
heart
He rose to his feet quickly, walked
a few PAGES from me, and then came
back. s5
That was unkind, Nellie" he
said. But tell me, do you love Mr.,
Grey2"
20, my Godl" | groaned involun-
tarily. That question from you! =
He came and stood directly over
me, and looking at me sternly, asked
fiercely- s b.si
MANI"
I had unconsciously betrayed my
self, and | took refuge in anger. n
You have no right to ask that
question" | replied, quickly.
L have a right to ask it. [ will
tell you why. It is because you have
deceived me, and wrung my heart un-
til it is almost broken; because /
know now that my worst fears are
cOnfirmed-because you are about to
trample upon my heart as well as your
own, all for the sake Of an old mans
gold. | have right to ask the cues
ton, and to demand an answer"
rose to my feet | was angry now,
for he had spoken to me as no one had
ever done before, and | did not pause
to think of the provocation | had
given him.
Il refuse to answer til" ex
claimed.
You shall answer mel" he broke
forth, excitedly. 81
This is worthy of you," | ex-
claimed, scornfully. You can insult
me here, where [ have no protector.
| think | shall make lucky escape
from marrying you"
He stood before me silently with
his head bowed He pointed to the
rock and motioned that | should sit
down; but [ refused
Nellie, he said, slowly and the
suffering in his tones pierced my
heart, " | ask your pardon for my
rudeness. When you were little
child, | used to carry you in my arms
over all the rough places in my way
| to the school; and even then | used
to look forward to the time when
should have the right to carry you
over the rugged road along which we
must all make our life journey.
Since that time [ have never had
thought that was not for your happi-
ness / love you better than / can
ever love another-better even than
my life itself; but if it would secure
your happiness | would see that love
change to lifelong sorrow, and not
murmur.
God knows what demon prompted
me, but answered, sneeringly-
80 it would SEEM
saw him finch under the cruel
blow, but he continued, with his eyes
fixed on the sea: ass
" speak the truth. / could not
lie to you here, Nellie, with God over
head, and His voice speaking to me
in the booming of the waves. I feel
that | have lost you forever, and /
hope that you will believe me- 2
| He paused, and seemed waiting for
me to speak but | said nothing, and
he went on, this time looking at me
steadily: @ iiT II. 80
! am sorry you think SO poorly of
me-. Since it is the case, however. I.
ought to return you this. When you
gave it to me, you said it was meant to
be worn only by good and worthy men.
ought MOTTO keep it, 9 40I5HZ3l
| He held out to me the iron cross
and his hand trembled as he did So
L could not take it; knew that [ was
not worthy to wear it, and I would
have died at his feet before / would
have received it from him. o,..sg y
Keep it. gasped; : keep it, for
you are worthy to wear it. | dare not
take il" My heart seemed bursting,
and [ cried madly, 30 Walter, pity
me! my heart is breakingl" sgSt
He sprang forward and clasped me
In his arms. He held me so close that
l could not move, and / could feel
his heart beating fercely against mine.
l lay passive for a moment, for it was
so sweet to be clasped in those dear
arms, where / knew never could be
held again. / felt his hot tears fall.
ing fast upon my cheek. bia- /,
! o, Nellie, Nellie" he sobbed.
you cannot do this. You love me-
know you love me, as truly as |
love you, and yet you would doom
both of us to lifelong misery. I i'm
4 plOre you, do not marry that man. ~,