The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-08-09
VOLUME II.


'Think me not impertinent, dear
Blanche, by questioning you thus close,
for il is a subject which is dear 10 my
heart. As you are her dearest and
most confidential friend, you seem the
most appropriate one TO ask. Has
she ever mentioned my name to you
since left?"
''Neyer Of her own accord; but when
I would laughingly joke her upon the
subject she would laugh and toss her
head and say. %, school girl fancies are
not very lasting" replied Blanche,
falsely.
Clarence seemed like one in dream
for a few moments, as he dropped his
head upon his hand, eXclaiming
'Lost! lostw Then rallying his feel
ings, he said:
81 wish l was sure she was going to
marry somebody who was worthy OF
her and who would make her happy.
Infatuated girl. Can it be possible that
she loves Norman Mcintosh, who is so
different from her in every respect? ?
But surely she would not wed one whom
she did not lover'
That she loves Norman cannot truly
say, but then he has that which will
sometimes buy love, though it never
could buy mine" replied Blanche, in an
insinuating tone.
81 never thought this Of her" said
/ Clarence, rising and pacing the floor.
Then, seating himself beside Blanche,
he took her hand within his own:
blanche, dear Blanche, l love YOU as a
sister, and rs her friend, and may you
never know the anguish which rends
my heart, To love, and not be loved in
returni And yet l cannot bring my
mind TO believe that this is 50 She
who seemed the very type Of truth and
honor TO trifle with my affections thus!
Blanche, you have never loved. You
know not the first bewildering passion
which sweeps over the soul and causes
ii to forget all else save the one object it
loves, but then'-and his voice was
husky with emotion-''to find that OBJ
ject false! All, even the strong man
must weep, But, Blanche, hear me
still. have loved her with love
which will cease but in death. change
not-tell her so. Tell her l remain true,
and can repeat her own words, Hers
and no other for l can never love an
other. Tell her I still pray for her hap
piness, and that if we never meet on
earth again, hope we may in Heaven,
where all will stand on equal footing,
the poor as well as the richr'
Blanche had remained all this time
as still and pale as a marble statue, un-
til, as he finished speaking, she leaned
heavily back in the chair, murmuring,
''Never loved never loved o, my
GOdr ~ while the great tear-drops rolled
down her cheeks.
"What is the matter Blanche? For
give me if, in my excitement, I said
aught to wound your perhaps too sensi-
tive heart. But you would not, could
not blame me could you realize the
truth Of these words:
'-Tis sweet 10 love If you can know
The one you love is true;
But, an! then comes the bitter pang-
The one you love, loves not you ."
''Spare me spare mel Clarence Pier
pOntn' exclaimed Blanche, pressing
her hands to her brow, and for a mo-
ment she remained perfectly quiet.
Then arising she said: "Another time
will listen. Good night" and giving
one long look, which spoke more than
her lips dared, she rushed from the
room, leaving Clarence perfectly bewil-
dered.
"What can this excitement mean ?"
asked he Of himself "Perhaps Sonora
has confided more to her than she is
willing to tell, and perhaps she feels for
her friend. But, no this cannot be, for
she gave me to understand that / was
forgotten. Perhaps-but no, how fool
ish.-perhaps she loves me! But sure
ly not She, the rich heiress, who has
had so many admirers, stOop to love a
poor student. No, it cannot ber'
As Blanche entered her room, Cor
della lay down her book and in her
usual languid tone said: "Why, YOU did
not sit up very long with your adora-
bic. Oh, this is so interestinpr, She
added, all in a breath.
Blanche made no reply, but throwing
herself across the bed, sobbed aloud
"Why, what is the matter, cousin ?''
exclaimed Cordelia, raising up. "Are
you ill?"
ayes, sick at heart, o, unhappy
Blanche" exclaimed she passionately
''Never loved! never loved! Would tC
God 1 had not o, Della, he loves ms
not as l would he loved, but as sister
as her friend. Would that l were dead
Ny heart, yes, my very soul, is bound
up in that man; and then to hear him
say that he loves me as n JricRd-that ]
cannot feel as he feels because nevel
loved, and that he loves Sonora and hel
only, and will never wed another! O.
let me die! o, let me dier' screamed
the excited girl.
Such feeling as this was utterly un.
known to the passionless, languid form
that reclined upon the edge of tn,
bed, and who looked on perfectly
amazed.
Il would not cry for the best MAI
living Blanche. come. think no NOR,