The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-01-12

"N~ss %@~VA q suUo6os VI OVs. 1NUHutOu 2
wealth and position, and oh tho CLAM
our it cast around him. had always
been ambitioas--s feather might have
turned the scsle-when I heard voice,
sad turning I found Col. H. at my side.
He had sought me to claim my hand for
the next dance but now that he had
discovered my retreat, begged ne to
stay aud listen to him. There he told me
how be had loved me from the first, aud
asked no to be his wife, aud yielding to
NY P1de ;asd silelciug the whisperings
Of my heart, consented to wear his gol-
den chains. The breeze Was still fresh
aud sweet, the flowers ss fragrant, aud
the moonlight still "fell in silver lines"
But blight seemed to have fallen over
it. Oh how hated it all what right
had everything to seem SO happy and
beautiful around me, while within all
was bitterness aud regret? But I had
begun the task and must 6uish it, with
steady hand must heap the ashes of for.
getfulness upon tho glowing fame of =
6rst and only love.
Supper was announced, and taking the
Colonels offered arm, I aroused myself,
aud chatting lightly, passed on to the
supper room, trying to appear the gayest
OF the gay, the smile and gay repartee
ever on my lip. Once 1 saw Gerald,
grave, calm aud pale, standing little
apart from tho others, aud inwardly
sorrowing, yet outwardly one of the most
bright-hearted Of that gay assemblage. I
turaed, with words Of badinage, to Col.
Hauyhson: After supper, longing to be
alone, that might think over the
events sof the evening, left the revel,
lers, aud fastening to the library, threw
myself in one of the softly cushion ed
chairs, with my face buried in my hands,
there to mediate, and to feel that had
been hurried on to do that which would
make me miserable for life: Would that
l might have retraccd my steps, but it
was too late-too late. / heard the door
open, but, supposiug it to be one of the
servants, did not raise my head, until a
low voice at my side said, "Sybil, await
your decision" and looking up, saw G.
aid. Feeling that had gone too far to
recede, and fearing to trust my voice, 1
silently drew from my hair the red rose,
glowing as if with the blood of the heart
sacrifice had made, aud extended it
towards him. Without word, be took
the hand which held it, pressed one
kiss upon it, and vas gone, gone forever,
leaving mo to the grief which I had
brought upon myself.
The next morning, many wondered at
Gerald's sudden departure, and, from his
stolen glanceu at my pale cheeks, when.
ever Gerald Was mentioned, I thought
Col. Haughtou surmised a portion of the
truth. After few DAYS, I returned to
the city, accompanied by the Colonel ;
and then, the next month passed in what
seemed to me never ending, wearying
round of visits, and congratulations,
which struck on my ear and heart like a
death knell. The Colonel hurried on
our wedding, as pressing business called
him TO X,rginia. My trousseau was be-
ing prepared, aud all the arrangements
for my wedding we're going on, while
was the envy Of half the young ladies Of
my acquaintance, all of whom admired
the handsome Colonel, SO wealthy, dis.
tinguished and handsome and above all,
so talented and devoted. But my heart
was far away, and after leaving the bus.
tie and stir, would retire to my own
room, and there lying on the lounge,
the hot tears would course down my
checks, as ifin pity they were striving
to wash out from my heart the memory
Of the loved and lost.
One day I lay there thinking how
bright and beautiful was all around me,
and contrasting the outside world with
my own feelipgs., The sunlight lay in
"patines of bright gold" upon the floor,
the sweet south wind crept in through
the half opened shutters, passed noise
lessly through the lace curtains, and
lifted the damp hair from my heated
brow, seemed sent to whisper to me Of
one far away. I thought of Gerald,
and how vividly did I recall him.
had his miniature, but had never dared
to trust myself to open it; but now ]
thought 1 would take one last, long
look, and never see it more. arose
aud unlocking tho casket which con-
tnined that which should not have been
but VAS 80 precious to me, took the
treasure, and returning to the lounge
resumed my former position.
What . tide Of reccollections rushed
over me as l gazed upon those fea-
lures There was the same smile, tht