Indiana American., 1868-04-17

tht IVA hO itoCt uHh w HOihN
from which he could see one Of the en-
ira nces to the garden from Princes street,
he strained his eyes in the twilight to dis
cover the object of his search.
A spectator, observing the restessness
Of the young officer, would have either
imagined that lie was suffering under some
terrible annoyance, or that he was very
much in love. The latter conjecture
would have soon been verified; for present.
ly two female figures made their appear
ance one Of whom, on seeing him. quick
ened her pace so as to leave her compan.
ion behind. In an instant the lovers
metl
1t has been said that only light griefs
are loquacious; deep sorrow hath no
tongue"
Thus il seemed with these despairing
lovers. Instiuciively she placed her arm
in his. aud they wandered far up the steep
ascent, beside the castle rock ere the az.
iation Of either had sufficiently snbsided
10 allow OF their breaking silence. The
first words were uttered by the lady; in
deed il mny be observed that on such ec
casious il Is the lady who generally does
speak fret.
"All then is over" she exclaimed, aud
this is TO be our last interview
. "Such j. the decree which has been pro
nounced, replied Edward Burton. II
kept the appointment with your father
this evening | cannot repeat 10 you
what he said, FOR that would pain Us both
uu necessarily; but this was decisive. My
preIensions ~ your hand at this or any
future time are summarly rejected :"
Miss Maria Panson became 20 peitated
on hearing this that her lover found It
necessary TO phce her iu garden seat, 10
which they had by this time wandered
Edward did oil in his power to lessen her
grief lie reminded her that, though
Forbidden to engage themselves to each
other, II was still IN their power to main
tain their attachment in the hope Of bet
ter times. Ailer h few years, foreign ser
vice il might be his fortune to attain such
promotion as to enlitlo him to claim her
as his bride.
"Slaria," he said, at length, passionate
| ly, may hope YOU will continue con.
slant TO me?"
The young lady raised her head aud
looked steadlastly at her lover through her
tears; she gently returned bis grasp, aud
in tones made tremulous by her struggle
with soua feeling wounded by the sus
piciou which the question implied, asked:
"CoHd he doubt herY'
Edward, as it ashamed Of undertaking
the constancy off heart which he believ.
ed to be solely his own, eutreated for.
giyeness. aud made the warmest protesta.
tons Of his own uufailing attachment
AT this moment ihs lovers we're startled
by the report OF drums from the castle, a
signal for separation which Edward dared
not disobey, for curly the next morning
the regiment. in which he was ensign
was 10 march, aud he was Obliged TO ap-
pear ut preliminary muster. There was
no time for words. Edward drew from
his pocket a coin, nearly severed IN halt;
Que portion he presented TO Maria, the
other ho retained. They quite broke IL.
each keeping moioty; the meaning aud
impreasiyoucss Of which must be we'll
known to those who are we'll vefscd 10
uncieu, Scottish customs, aud who have
read SCOTS pathetic novel, The B,ide of
Lammermoor " BY grea, effort, Ed
ward tore himself from his fair coapan-
ion.
As the soldier bent his slow but sor--
rowiul steps towards the castle, he paused
for moment, and drew from his breast
q small irinket with which Maria had, on
a previous occusion, presented him. 1t
contained u lock OF her hair, and he kiss.
ed II reyercniIy; and, in imitation Of the
chivalry of old he inly vowed that these
tokens should cheer him in his moments
OF despUndoucy. aud animate him In tho
hour OF danger, With this high-soulod
resolve, he pas,cd oul of the gate which
opens on the esplanade, aud hurried of
to bis quarters to prepare for duty.
Maria, on her pnr,. was found by her
young companion weepil bitterly aud
scarcely able 10 support herself With
kind soicitude her FREUD helped her
along, and stroye with words of soothing
aud encouraging consolation 10 blunt the
sharpness, OF the grief she suffered. IL
was growing dark, and they quickcned
their pace. In the glocmicst part of the
f'Ne"''s "hete Wv fetH - aiuuoN HiuttH
by ovcrhaneing trees. they heard to their
alarm. footsteps oyer,aking them. This
Induced them TO double their speed; Il
was useless; the heavy tread Of man still
gained upon them, and in another instan at
Marla heard her name pronounced in
tone OF impationce not unmixed with an.
ger. On looking round, she bched her
lalher
The result was that Maria's misery was
increased tenfold, aud that night was
without doubt the most wrotohed she had
ever spout, a. her disordered and care
worn appearance on the next morning
fully indicated
After breakfast Mr.. Panson took his
daughter kindly by the hand aud led her
into the study Her heart beat violently,
Tor she had presentiment that Edward
was to be the subject Of their conversa.
ton.
my dear Maria,' he commenced, "nci.
iher your mother nor myself desire to see
you in this state of. afflietion--in spite of
the imprudence on your part which has
led to it-wiihout feeling deeply Afflicted.
Let me reason with, you a little on the
engagement you would have entered iato
with Mr.. Burton. Let me assure youit
is from no caprice or hardness of disposi-
tion that ] have so decidedly negatiyed your
mutual wishes. Ho is. | confess, a we'll
conducted, and, for aught / know to the
contrary, an smiable young man; but his
profession, as we'll ms his want of fortune.