The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-08-29


ly, she stepped in an instant. Returning, 81
whispered, Come in"
He was sleeping-the miserable wreck o
the once handsome Edgar Mansfield.
Caroline bent over the wasted form grea
terror filled her heart-she had come too late
"Dead?" she groaned forth, looking from
the pale features to the attendant, who an
swered, "No, no; sleeping
Bending over, gazing on the form of hin
once SO proud and noble looking, then 81
worn, so wretched, Caroline's heart tlleC
with pity. All the cruel past was forgiven
How could she feel resentment towards hin
| lying so stricken before her?
| The eagerness of her watching, the intense
gaze must have aroused the sleeper. He slow
| ly opened his eyes, and met hers.
ever true, he murmured-"tO your pro
mise" he added, in voice so low that Caro-
line had to stoop very near to catch the
words.
The effect of the speaking seemed to ex
haust him. Looking into his eyes, still sc
beautifully bright, raised to hers with look
SO eager so appealing, Caroline's own grew
dim, and tears fell unrestrained on the wasted
hand she clasped in hers.
The woman drew near, and holding toward
him glass of wine said that it would make
him stronger.
Caroline gently raised his head as the wo-
man held it to his lips Such a grateful look
nat her eye She thought, 90, why is he
here alone? Where is she whose gentle hand
should minister here?"
He had gained some little strength, and
when she drew near and seated herself, he
said:
81 would not have sent for you if had
been equal with you IN any way. But now,
when you are so far above me, you can stoop,
at least to pity. l am dying. you see. l
could not resist the constant longing to see
you once more-once more to hearyour voice
Can you forget the past long enough to sing
me one song?"
She said: "You must feel do forgive, and
will forget all that you would fain have
me-"
She sang the song that had trembled on her
lips the night before, and filled her heart ever
since. Then burst forth the "Welcome
Greeting"
A smile, wan but very sweet, came over his
pale face, and rested there until she had fin
ished her song He seemed to grow much
stronger and inclined to talk. Seeing this,
Chow is it you are here alone in Paris
Where are your friends-your-" Wife she
would have said, but the word died on her
lips. She could not utter that, and continued,
Tell me something of yourself.
81 will, will-all," he answered. "When
I wrote you that cruel letter.
"Hush !" Caroline said. 81 would hear
of your later life.
q must" he answered, 81 must. Then
for a period, was possessed of a spirit of evil.
l was hattered by the kindness of Miss Erving.
l believed l could win her; and with her
wealth and high position, thought did or
could love her, and forget you. But I soon
knew could not, and would have given every
thing possessed to have been able to recall
that letter l almost made up my mind to
write again, and sue for what had resigned.
When your reply came, then l determined to
return home, and seek you, and try to gain
forgiveness and return of confidence. On
my arrival, you had left And after, when
success and fame came so quickly to you,
dared not seek you.
"Resigning my position as Mr.. Erving's
secretary, l engaged in business as mer-
chant with one 1 had always believed my
friend, and al honest man. | trusted every
thing to him. My heart was not in my work.
I vas dissatisfied with myself, and everything
| engaged in was doomed to failure. My
partner robbed me, and finally went off with
all the money could obtain. With the little
left few pounds, l followed him here.
Many weeks ago l was seized with fever, from
which I have never recovered, and now l
nave IItle ever Sudll. Dut luz
kind woman, should have suffered much.
Last night I thought was dying, or should
not have sent for you this morning"
He ceased tired and fainting almost from
the exertion of SO much speaking. Again
the kind attendant came with the wine and
after it had been administered, Caroline mo-
toned the woman into the adjoining room,
and questioning her closely, learned that he
was entirely without money. The little he
had was soon consumed in obtaining the most
necessary medicines and wines Returning
to the bedside, she stood, her heart overflow
ing with JOY. She knew then her place had
never been given to another.
Gould the admiring hundreds who gazed on |
ner the night before have seen her then they |
would have found all that they thought want
many had sought in vain were there. She
oent over and whispered to the sufferer ::
I. Edgar, will you live?"
A new light flashed in his eyes, and gazing
eagerly into hers, he whispered: Live for
What ?"
"Look into my eyes, Edgar, and see p she
nurmured, beautiful flush tinging her fair
ace.
He could not mistake, for plainly her eyes
answered his cry.
Live for love and me" they said.
mo, no; you can not mean 1t &! on SO nigh
nd l so crushed. You shall not stoop so
ow. my queen. Even in my dreams l am
lot so wild"
Edgar only stoop to lay my heart for
ou to raise it to light and life. Look back.
lee me not as multitude, their favorite for
be time; see only the simple, loving girl of
be past. Know not the prima donna. Know
lone the trusting woman, who willingly will
esign the admiration of the world for the
3ve and admiration Of one true heart"
Thus she came down from the height of her
reatness to the true, loving woman.
When next she sang all her hearers &C.
the newly gained power. There
as no longer a wanting tone. A few weeks
fter all Paris was surprised, and many of
err noble sons indignant that their 'Queen
Song" should have welded man entirely
Unknown to the world But what cared she
e was more than all the world to her.
Gay Madrid. /
A correspondent writes From morning to
,pninp and in amman aaa SON qtiIl rnora From |