The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1872-03-13

I Quiry found that she had been an af
fectionate and depending creature, al
ways looking for love in every one
and as far as could learn, never find
ing it. Her family were cold, phleg
matte, and commonplace. The stric
discipline of reason was all they couli
exercise, and the child had grown stu
pid in proportion as these means hai
been exerted uponAier. She had beer
for three years in this state of imbecil
ity, and they had now lost all hope O
her recovery.
The next day again found her in
the shrubbery, where she was allowed
to pass much of her time, as the alb.
sence of all close restraint and vigilance
had been found decidedly beneficial
Her joy at seeing me was unbounded
land, throwing herself on the turf at my
| feet, she leaned her arms upon my
knees, and, resting herhead upon them
in an attitude of child-like repose, re-
NAMED gazing with SPECIFICS tender
ness up into my face. She said little,
but could perceive that she was filled
with tumultuous emotion, and as be-
held the workings of her heart the idea
flashed through my brain that her soul
might yet be awakened.
From that moment I determined to
make the attempt, and without dream
ing of selfish passion, without one
spark of unholy love, I vowed to de-
vote all the energies of my nature to
the noble task, Of enlightening a cloud
ed spirit.
can not now noto all the details of
my success. cannot trace all the
delicate links of that chain which con-
Quoted my soul into hers, through the
medium of her affections. I watched
the lifting of the cloud from off her
spirit, and 1 saw clear but brief
fglimpses, of sunshine; again the
shadow would settle with 4 deeper
gloom, and again CLEANS would break
forth, giving sweet promise of
brighter day.
But the officious interference of those
who could not comprehend either
Alice or myself checked all this grow
ing good. Our frequent meetings
were discovered, ard we were of course
separated. Alice was taken home by
her family, and was denied all access
to her presence. At length I heard
that Alice was much worse-that she
was now raving maniac, whose I'M
governed frenzy could only be con-
trolled by PERSONAL violence. I could
not bear this; I went to her father;
l explained to him my hopes, and
begged to be permitted to see her for
single hour. Hesw cold, prac-
tical, reasonable, man, and while he
gave me fnllcredencc for disinteres-
ted desire to benefit his daughter, he
evidently had little faith IN my antici-
pations of success. However, he was
willing to try the experiment, and ac-
companied by him I was permitted to
see Alice. She was frightulIy charged. |
Her eyes glared wildly, her hair
tangled and dishevelled from her in
.cessant restlessness hung in masses
about her face, and her appearance
was that of one whom loss of reason
had almost brutalized. l could have |
cursed the blind recklessness which |
had SO tlwhrted me. At first she did
not recognize me, but my voice seemed |
to awaken the vibration of some chord
whose music was familiar. She be-
came ealmer,, her rawlings ceased, she
approached me, and at length seated
herself on low stool at my feet with
the quietude of loving child. It was
the first time she had been so calm
since we were parted. The cold beings
around her perceived the beneficial
effect of my presence, and from that
moment I was allowed to pursue my
plan without molestation.
Agar had passed, and Alice was
lingering on the very verge of that
inner sanctuary where reason dwells.
She had been awakened; intellect was
rapidly dawning into perfect day, but
there were still vague mists and broken
shadows to be dispersed ere the sun
could shine with unclouded splendor.
1t was Just at this period-when