Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-11-22

ne camo thu rtoou utrectiy over ne
and looking at me sternly asked fercely
Tell me, do you love that mani?
had uneonsciousIy betrayed myself
aud | now took refuge in anger.
You have no right to ask that ques-
tion, | replied, quickly.
Il have a right 10 ask IL | will tell you
why. /, is because YOU have deceived me,
aud wrung my heart until il is almost
broken; because | know now that my
worst fears are confirmed; because you
are about to tramplc upon my heart az
well as your own, all for the sake of an
old mans gold. | have a right to ask the
question, aud TO demand an answer.
rose T. my feet | was angry now;
for he had spoken to me az no one had
ever dope before, aud did not pause to
to think Of tho proyocation / had given
him.
a refuse TO answer IT, exclaimed.
You shoH answer mel he broke forth,
exciedy.
'Thisis worthy Of you, exclaimed,
scornfully. You can insul, me here,
where have no protector. think
shall make u lucky escape from marrying
you
lie stood before me silently, with his
head bowed. lilo pointed to the rocks.
aud motioned that should sit down; but
refused.
Nellie he said, slowly,-and the suf-
ferng in his tones pierced my heart.-I
ask your pardon for my rudenoss. When
you were u little child used to carry you
in my arms over all the rough places in
our way, aud even then | used TO look
forward to the time when l should have
the right TO carry you over tho rugged
road along which we must all make our
life journey. Since that time have bad
no thought that was not for your happi
ness. | love you bettor than | eau ever
love anothcr--better. evon. than my life
itself; but If il would secure your happi.
ness would see that love change to a
lifelong sorrow, aud no, murmer.
Heaven knows what demon prompted
me, but answered, sneeripgly, 80 il
would SEEM.
saw him finch under the cruel blow,
but he continued. with his eyes fixed on
the sea, Il speak the truth, feel that
have lost you forever, aud hope you will
believe me-
lie paused, and seemed Whiting for me
to speak; but said nothing, aud he went
on, this time looking at me steadily.
i am sorry you think 10 poorly Of me.
Since il is the case, however, | ought TO
return you this. When you gave 1t TO mo
you said il was meant to be worn only by
good and worthy men. ] ought not to
keep IT,
lie held ont to me. the iron cross, and
his hand trembled as he did so. l could
not take IT, knew that | was not wor-
thy to wear il, aud / would have died ut
his feet befoie / would have received il
from him.
keep it, gvped. Keep il; you are
worthy to wear il. | dare not take it,
My heart seemed bursting; aud / cried.
mad y, 'Ohl Walter, pity me, my heart is
bleakia II
lie sprang forward and clasped me in
his arms. lie held me so close that
could not move; aud | could feel his heart
beating fercely against mine. l lay pas
siye for "a moment, for it was SO sweet TO
be claspcd in those dear arms, where
knew | never could be held again. felt
his tears falling fast on my cheek.
Oh! Nellie. NeIlieI he sobbed, you can
not do thisl You love me, | know you
love me, as truly us l love you. and ye,
you would doom both Of us to lifelong
misery. implore you not to marry that
man.
felt that could not long resist him,
if he held me thus. called up all my
furtllude 10 sustain me.
Release me, Walter Gwynne,' | ex-
claimed, coldly. You have no right to
act So
BY Heavenl' he shouted fercely, Il
will not part with you'll Look at those
wavesl What is to hinder me from hurl-
ing you into them, and saving you from a
Life Vt iniamy2 You do not love that old
man, and you marry him for his gold.
By Heaven, you shall notl will plunge
you benesth those waves, and follow you
there, before ;ou shall be his wife,
A quick, firm foCtstep was heard behind
us. aud voice exclaimed, in angry as
tonishment, Mr.. Gwynne, what does this
meau?
Walter released me, aud we both looked
round abruptly. Mr.. Grey was standing
within few feet of US. Walter looked
ut him for moment, hesitated, aud then
sprang down the rocks, and was out Of
sight
What does it mean? Mr.. Grey asked,
hesitatingly.
Poor boyl' l said calmly. lie has
made me an offer Of his hand, and his
disappointment made him forget what was
due to me. hope you will pay no at
tention to him, for am sure he will be
ashamed of himself when he grows calmer.' >
1t cost me much to utter these words;
but | did so. so calmly and with such
composure. that MIR. Grey was deceived.
i am sorry for him, Nellie he said,
simply. IL he loves you as l do, can
we'll imagine how much suffering lis
loss has cost him.
We went home in silence. did not
see Walter again. In the morning 1 re-
ceived note with only two words, For
give me-; and in the evening heard that
he had gone away from the place.
In month after this | was married.
I had learnt by that time to rule my heart,
aud did not falter as | repeated the aw-
ful words in which | vowed to lore my
husband. A few weeks after my marriage
| learned that Walter had fallen heir to
an immense fortune. left him by distant
relative. This was the beginning Of my