The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-01-08

mamma and my ordinary duties. l re-
doubled then my efforts, and in these
| busy occupations the Tine glided on.
II wrote almost daily, covering page
after page with my fond happiness, teel-
Hing disappointed tnat the replies were
few and short, but reading the words
and investing them with rainbow hues,
AS treasured each expression OF fond
ness, and excused him on the score OF
his military duties. And beside,'
said, 'men never write as u woman does;
it is no. right they should
sit was long before distrust crept int o
the heart so full OF love. Tlere was no
room for other than loyal thoughts.
LIE ters grew fewer and more brief, but
there were always excuses ready, and l
wrote to him the more. But at last con-
stauG sapping began TO undermine, and
though l fought long and hard, till my
cheek was sunken and pale with sleep.
less nights, distrust and doubt carried
the citadel one day, when had written
many letters in month, and only had
one brief reply, telling me, in answer to
my agonized inquiries, that he was quite
well, put busy. Those two enemies to
my peace carried tne citadel at last, for
the question now in my mInd was:
'Does he love mep
81 could not bear it at first, and an az
onIz,ng week passed by, during which |
wrote TO him again, aud then again, i'm
ploring him to come to me il ne could, OF
else to write TO me at length. or my heart
would break.
"Another week of misery passed
away, during which my heart seemed TO
sink ana Wither, While the fount of my
tears, long since drained, dried up. l
Went about the place Like a ghost, or sat
watching the lane through which the
pOstman came.
CAT last a letter. l knew that there
was one, for seeing me at tne window.
instead of looking another way, as had
been his custom Of late, as soon as he
came in signt the postman gave me
friendly nod, and the next moment
waved letter in the air.
IL darted out to meet him with fever
ish haste, caught the letter from him,
and saw that IL was in the wel-knOwn
hand. Mamma was in the passage as l
rushed in.
"'From Arthur, mamma, from Ar
thurp painted jOyously, and hurried
into the little parlor, kssiug the paper
with delight, as tol0 myself that there
was balm Ior my sore aching hearb--and
then "a strange fit OF trembling came over
me, ana lelU cold and as If seized by Il
chill.
I did not dare for a time to open my
letter, but az last, with, my eyes dim,
and dread feeling of sickness upon
me, | made the effort and tore open the
envelope. How my thin white fingers
trembled as | took out the enclosure!
But my strength came back with the ell
tort l made, and l read the few lines it,
contained in the midst OF what seemed
to me a deadly calm, wherein feeling
and sound were frozen up, and was as
| it were alone.
"The words were very few, saying in
measured terms that IL would be better
that The engagement should be at al
end, tor it had been commenced in er-
ror, and could never end in happiness
for me. In short, he had during his alb
sence tried his heart and found that he
Ibid not love me as it would be his duty,
and therefore the present course Woul0
Ibe the best lor both.
"L remember that l gave cold, hys-
terical laugh as | finished the heartless
Hines, and then l Knocked at myself. Bui
THAT hard feeling passed away, and |
l sank down BY the window, softened-
| broken-and as my head Went down
upon my hand, I asked lor help to bear
the bitter, bitter blow that had bruIse,.
land beaten me to the earth.
| II fell into dreamy state then, from
which l was aroused by my poor mother,
| wuo came and knelt beside me. | was
quite calm, and placed tue letter in her
nands with sad smile, rising When she
Ihad read it, and kissing her before sitting
| down and making up my work.
81 was not i'll, but lor the next month
Iseem9d dul and stunned, trying to bear
all patiently; the greatest pang being
| when heard from Julia Denison thai
the error OF Captain Hansleigh had been
that he had mistaken me Tor the heiress,,
to whom he aIterward proposed, ana
was indignantly refused"
"That is my story, Mr.. Grangep l 8 id,
rising and standing flushed and Jrum-
bling before the second suitor oil my
bitter Lie. "lt was right that you should
Iknow; and now, good-byW
The strength tnat had sustained me
Through my narrative was heeting fast, :,
and my heart had resumed It's painful
tnrobbing, as he stood beforeme and took
my hand.
| II knew that there must have been
some horrible griei,p he said, in a low
voice full OF emotion; "but, Laura, dear
est, can you tell me truly, for your own
future happiness and tor mine, chat this
gentle heart can never love again?H
A thousand thoughts flashed thrOug
my nina of endless, loving kindness, Of
gentleness to the suffering, OF watchiuI
nights by sick couches, OF the many acts
OF this man for whom the deadliest dis
leases had no terror even when others
Flied. | knew him to be the soul Of truth
ami honor, and he had told me OF his
love. Could | then sly that Ii3 b ar
could never love again, when III spite OF
: sadness, sorrow, and the past, 1t had
leapt once before2 1 struggled hard,
asking myself if this was not self deceit,
but there was none, and l knew that IL
said no it would be lie.
He saw it all and knew, for a calm.
sweet smile OF ineffable joy overspread
, his face, and the next moment 1 was
sobbing gently on his breast.