The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1868-08-01
A TRUE STORY.


| The widest and most picturesque dis
trict in the State Of Virginia, is that
which lies around the, "Natural Bridge"
in .RocEbridge County" Owing to its
salu5rious climate, and contiguity to
different watering places, besides the
world renowned majesty of the great
Natural Bridge, it attracts many visitors;
and there are Accommodations for many a
gay party at 4 commodious hotel, stu
ated very near to footpath which de.
scends o hundred or two yards meath
the mighty arch. Music and dancing,
with billiards and a bowling alley, pleas
ant picnics, and equestrian excursions
are included in the programme OF enter
.ainments.
The small stream which runs under>
meath, and still keeps up its weird sere-
made to its mighty master, and gambols
and laughs as gleefully in the sunshine
as it did when centuties commenced,
baptizes with its food moss grown
stone, on which is built small house.
Small and rude it is, but with its snow
white trout, ,and the cucumber, and laurel
trees at the back, it makes no mean tea"
turc 10 the picture.
Let us look within its low door be-
hold venerable couple and a young
and lovely girl, whose beauty is of that
| type which 1 always dercrite las celes.
tial. Her jet black hair shades brow
Of uncommon purity, and in the depths
of her eyes may be read volumes of pas
sionate feeling, the true poetry OF love.
She restlessly turns from the window to
the door, aud, as the light falls upon her
sweet face, note an anxious wistful
look. She takes her guitar, and steps
ou. to a messy bank, and joins an ac-
compartment to the music of the brook.
Now a shadow falls beside her. She
trembles with delight as she springs for
ward with both hands outstretched, ex-
claiming: "Oh, Charles! have you como
a. last am so glad-so glad {" What
is it that suddenly changes her look to
piteousness of grief, snch as infants
show when trying to suppress sob {!
All it is not Charles, but one more no.
Bile. Both are mute for moment, but
Rutherford, taking her passive hand in
his, after once pressing his lips ferveutly
upon it, speaks in tone of sad reproqch:
"Mary / know tor whom you are wait
ing. ] will not distress you long with
my presence. Only give me leave, for
the sake of your early love, when we
roamed amid those beauteous scenes,
claiming no greater JOY than to be with
one another, when heart was knit to
heart-for the sake Of the love, endless
and exhaustless, which | still bear you,
let me warn you to beware of Granville.
He is william, and unworthy altogether
of your confidence. I do not say this
because he stole your heart from me,
| but because your peace is so precious to
me. Even at this moment he is at the
hotel; where his perjured lips are breath.
| ing words of Devotion to Miss Ander.
son to whom an early day is set for his
marriage. Think on what / say; and
though you Danish me forever, do moi
trust that man. l cannot bear to live
meath Jour frown, and shall leave the
country but remember l beseech you
that one word from you will call me tc
youtside, aud woe-woe to the man who
causes you grief"
| She sits with her blanohed face in hei
palms, moaning as if i'll pain, but sud
denly Isptinging up she exclaim.,"
| will not believe it unless see it with my
own eyes," and hurried away to tie cot
tage. 1t takes but few moments t.
attire herself in the guise of marke
girl, with a basket of lackberries
upon her arm and hood drawn clos'
over her face.
AS she approaches the hotel, ascend
the flight of steps to the broad piazza
the festive atmosphere pains both eal
and vision but as standing behind
pillrr, near a window, she sees Gran
vile whirling around in the may dane
with the jewel,bedecked Miss Ander
son, she clings convulsively to the sill
but quickly recovering, philosophize
thus-"He is in the gay world where h
must shine, and he is but conforming
to custom, Stay, my heart, thy beat
ing, and let me hear what he may say !!
They sit beside the window in the yer.
breath of her hot Jealousy, which rise
to fever heat as he tenderly clasps Mis-
Anderson's waist aud whispers
"Soon you will be mine, and l shal
not know the bitter pain of a long sepa
ration.
Mary cought the languid droOpog q
the girls eye, and noted the deepeiinj
color in her cheek, which told that S.
loved him we'll, aud it cost her much
Iepress a cry Of anguish that lowered {
her Zip,
Just then Miss Anderson expressed
desire to retire from the room, urging