Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-07-24
she exclaimed. bursting into tears

she exclaimed, bursting into tears,
" and shall'see you no more.
The undisguised feeling with which
these few words were uttered betray-
ed too plainly the state of her feel
ings. Adolphe threw himself upon
his knees before her, aid declared his
love.
Honor, he exclaimed, :" has hith-
erto bound my tongue in silence. AS
captive and enemy, | dared not ask
your heart but these cruel wars
mus end. will return-l can rely
on Ivan's friendship-I shall demand
your hand"
"You will find me his wife !" pas.
sionately interrupted the agltated
girl. Know you not am betroth-
ed to him p
"God!" exclaimed Adolphe, Z" what
have l done There wanted but this,
wretch that am Is this my return
for his generous friendship? Forget
me, Catharine," be continued. Bet
ter we had never met. Think not for
me. I were monster, unworthy of
the name of man, could I crafty my
own passion at the expense of his
happiness. He.is gentle, affectionate,
formed to be loved. You will soon
recall your heart from this wander
ing, wayward choice, and learn to
look upon him as your husband.
Meyer, never, replied Catharine,
can love Ivan but with sisters
love. You never felt the passion, or
you could not coolly resign me to an
other. But CO.. ;.she continued, more
| calmly. "In your own land, doubt
less, you will find one worthier OF
your heart than the deserted Catha-
rine-"
Never loved You wrong me.
Witness these tears that shame my
manhood-the pangs that rend my
soul. Nothing but the powerful call
of gratitude and imperious honor
could tear me from you. My heart
NAV break with the effort, but it must
be accomplished. One embrace-the
first and last of happiness / may ever
know"
At this moment, Iean, who had
unexpectedly returned, entered the
apartment, but started as if a serpent
had stung him on beholding Catha-
rine in tile arms of his friend. I'm
perceived, he quilted them.
Farewell for ever J. exclaimed
Adolphe, as he diseneaged his arm
from the trembling form of Catharlne.
Think of me but as dream.
lie imprinted upon her brow sin
gle kiss, and rushed from her pres
ence.
"Tis over. thank heaven !" he muir
INJURED. 1.-The struggles past; as,
sinking upon a couch in his own
room, lie began to reflect upon his
future course.
Here I must not remain another
hour-we must never meet again. l
owe it .to\he peace-to lvans friend
ship-to my own honor. .
Hastily writing a letter, which he
! left upon bis table, he threw his cloak
around him, and placing Laariston 5
casket in his bosom, Re, silently and
unobseryed, quilted the hospltable
mansion which had so long concealed
and sheltered him.
The nigat-fres guided him to
Aran's tent, who, won by the gift
OF the jewels, consented to depart
instantly. The arrangements were
soon made.
While his people were striking
their tents. Adolphe changed his
dress for the meaner hablliments OF
a sledge-driver. An hour before mid
night everything was prepared, and
the party silently commenced their
j)urney.
Thus ends my dream of friend
ship" said Ivan, as, starting from his
feverish slumber, he prepared the
next morning to visit the deserted
chamber of Adoiphe. II have read
it is the nature of woman to be false,
and man to deceive Hitherto have
deemed it. the philosophers truth.
Yet, the false mistress and treacher-
Gus friend should not have been Cath
arine md Auolphe Lesseau.
How, gcnel' he exclaimed, as
looking round the apartment, he
searched in vain for its late inmate.
Can Catharine be the partner of his
flight p
His eye fell upon the letter. He
trelnbled as he broke the seal. 1t ran
thus
DEAR IvAS-Condeuln me not
that / have withdrawn from your
hospitable home without bidding you
farewell but my honor and your
happiness demand that | should act
as / have. Fill IL few moments pre-
ceding the writing of this, knew
not cf my danger. May you and
Catharine be happy ! Farewell.
ADoLPHE.
He is true-he is true!" said
Ivan, rapidly glancing over the pa
per. Huaan nature forgive me
tihau i doubted thee lie loved, but
knew not o! my engagement to Cath
arine. i MAS to blanche should
have bee. forew;surd. y
Ivan took no notice of the scene
he had witnessed to Calharine or his
raother, trusting that time would les
sen her grief, and her heart gradual
ly appreciate his devoted affection.
By a tacit agreement. the name OF
Aiolphe was never mentioned be-
tween them.
As the Spring advanced, the coun-
tess removed to ST. Petersburg. her
im!ace at Moscow being destroyed
Here hey visited, aud 8 adually
plunged into the fashionable dissipa-
ton OF the court.
But although .Catharine moved amid