The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1867-10-31
sTRoUDsBURG, MONROE COUNTY, PA, OCTOBER 81 1867

tie, for | am very weak. That will do
child, thank you; now, are you listening
Give me your hand, oh goodness. how
cold, surely you are i'll, or have been ou
long in the air. Tell me, child; was Mr
Oscar here to o-day?"
/" No. mother"
Nor Master Henry?"
"No."
Well, child, prepare to meet him to
morrow. Don't cry-h here let me kiss you
: now that's right, give me your other
hand : both cold as the grave, oh dear
too fond of reading these silly romances,
they really turn girls heads quite; out
in the cold, too. It's really sinful"
And the aged widow settled herself in
reclining posture, holding Ellen's hands
in her own. "Now, child, am very ILL., -
she continued, 4" | cannot expect to live
long; but when | say am gone, | would
have you remember what | say. You
must always bear in mind that for an
others sake | sacrificed the happiest hopes
of my life - turned from the bright men,
ories of departed youth unto toll and res
possibility, and now find myself relic of
what | once was. After one sorrow came
another, all destined to shadow my life in
mystery, and make me cherish the bitter
regret which now miraculously supports
me. God only knows, my child, what 1
have suffered. The years Of my life have
been many, but | shall soon be silent"
Ellen had no tears to shed, no sigh to
relieve her overloaded heart, and no pity
for any thing but love. With bosom
susceptible of almost every feeling she
harbored each as treasure to sustain her
own misfortune; yet always hearkened
with interest to the tale of suffering and
disappointment. Nearer did she draw
her seat, and, with a palpitating bosom,
listened.
"You have brother, child, an inva-
lid, in whom you have placed all the con-
hdence of your young heart, and in whose
society you have enjoyed a season of un-
limited happiness. His father died while
yet he was an infant, and left me helpless
and sorrowinS to begin the world anew.
For time [ supported myself under
grief with all the fortitude that bcreaved
love could summon, and so far succeeded
that l seldom languished unless when en-
tirely alone. The visions of my early
life were too bright for the chequered.
years of my widowhood, and often did 1
press my infant to my bosom, and thank
heaven for the rich legacy. 1t was the
chief support of my poor heart, the idol
of my worship, and the only solace of my
woe. But alasl the next sorrow came;
the babe was stolen, and l concluded to
die at once. My health failed rapidly.
l was adjudged insane, and forced to live
in the lone retirement of my chamber. =
Filled with inexpressible pain, | sternly
waded through one indignity after an
other till consolation came, and with it con-
fusion and everything regret my child
was restored and presented to me by your
father. 1 had known Charles Lorr
in early life, we were companions at
school, at play, and at home. We lived
like brother and sister till the proper
season of life came, and prudence deemed
necessary that we should part. 1t was
painful scene, especially to him. for our sep
aration would be final. A few years pass
ed and he returned to fiud me widow
a bereaved mother, who nestled deform-
ed infant to her bosom. He solicited my
hand approximately, aud upon my refu-
sal retired aud returned no more. After
a year of insanity he came to me one day
and on his knees he restored the child, and
craved me to become his wife as his re-
ward. In my transport of JOY [ consent
ed, but soon found leisure enough to re-
pent of my folly. 1t was he who stole
my infant, the knowledge of which had
kindled a feeling of mistrust in him till
he died Your brother was always loath-
some in his sight, and finding that cung
10 him with tenacity which he abhor-
red, he grew jealous of your interest, and
It last was compelled to consent to his
removal. The grave and its power has
now restored him, and | can die in peace"
Mother" But she answered not,
md Ellen repeating the word rose from
her seat and looked upon her face. 1t
vas pale, waxlike and expressionlcss. -
)he tiny tear stood in her grey sunken
,ye Ellen kissed it off = Kissed her
;old bloodless lips and sank down insen-
ible upon the counterpane. Her mother
vas dead.
CHAPTER ILL.,
The last notes of a waltz resouuded |