The daily gazette., 1878-02-11
ERIC swARTz.s sACRIFrcE
BY A. KEABLES.

Eric Swartz and l were lovers. His
fathers farm adjoined ours-at some fii-
ture time the two estates were to be
united. Eric's father and mine often
talked 1t all over, and laid plans, and
built castles-and made all to their lk-
ing. But Eric's father and mine are ly-
ing In their graves, their castles have
dissolved In air, their plans are void and
useless
Itwas n glorious evening inO october. i had
finished my twelve cuts of warp yarn and
had set back the great wheel and reel, as
saw my father driving home with the
plow. He had just finished days work,
but 1t was not the sight of my father that
caused me to linger at the window; /
heard Eric's voice, rich and deep and
clear, and listened TO his words. They
were of trifiing import, and yet they
caused my heart to beat wildly as /
thought of a dashing ride over the prairie
with Eric in pursuit of flying herd of
cattle, and with merry laugh, / bound
ed down to meet him.
"No, no, Clara, not 10 night" said my
lover gently as he exchanged looks with
my father.
"And why?"
at is getting late, and may have to
go near the woods. / will bring your
cows with mine, Clara; you had better
not CO."
My father expressed himself in like
manner; but when did ever Clara Wilde
heed persuasion or command? Mabelle,
darling, was a wild, headstrong girl; do
you wonder, then, that l saddled my
tieet pony, "Star" and overlook nv
lover, much to his surprise and annoy
ancs?
81 see how it is" | said tauntingly.
"Nou do not wish my company; forsooth
you are waiting some fair maid, Bessie
Mervine, perhaps-yOu see | have
thwarted your designs, Eric" and
laughed heedlessly.
He looked straight into my face. o,
how noble and handsome he wis, and
when he said, ono, no, Clara" l knew
he spoke the truth.
"Then, why We're you so determined
should not accompany your" | asked,
meredulously.
| Every good reasons, my little Clara
that dark black wood is no place for
you"
81 am no coward, Eric Swartz; lead
where you will, | will follow"
"You are very brave, courageous CIR
Clara" His voice was as gentle as if he
addressed an infant. "But"-and ht
stopped his horse and held the bride of
my pony-"I had rather not go than
have you expose yourself as you are
about doing. Clara, go back; you know
like your company, but not enough u
risk yourself thus"
"What risk?" asked, giving the bridl,
n jerk that freed IL from his grasp, and
curling my hp, scornfully as l spoke
"tell me, Or"
81 touched Star lightly with the riding
whip and started forward, but again Ia,
lgrasped the rein.
| "Clara, Clara, for Heavens sake, stay
Thoughtless girl, you know not what yol
are doingw
"Perhaps don't; thank you for the in
sinuation; let go my bridle"
"Clara,'
"Well; speak, if you have anything to
lsay-speak! what are you making all this
fuss on my account for?"
"For your good; hsten-as / told you
father, our cattle have been missing fo
several days, and we fear"
"What?"
"Wolves!'
'sHumphl" | calculated impatiently
''some old granny's dream, more like
but see you are afraid. Valiant youth
follow, and will lead ; follow and will
protect your
/ struck Star violently, and with q
bound he freed himself from Eric's grasI
and galloped away.
CLARA, Clara, IL you will go-if yol
will not listen to reason-I shall not fol
low, but accompany or lead, he said, a
he reached my side.
| struck OFT across the prairie with {
lmerry laugh, and challange for race
and almost before | was aware of the fac
darkness was falling fast around us, ant
close before US, only separated by darl
ravine, lay the wild, black forest.
"Now you will surely stop" cried Eri'
as we checked our foaming steed upoi
the very verge of the precipice. We hat
seen nothing of the missing herd.
al tell you what it is" said | impa
tiently, "you are perfect coward; yol
are afraid to cross this chasm; you ar,
afraid of the woods. "Come, Star"
said coaxingly to my pony, "you and
for tive shall find nothing worse THAI
ourselves yonder-oyer, sir, oyerF
Well used to my whims, the nobl'
steed obeyed. Indeed, if had told hin
to fiy to the moon, had he understood me
l doubt not he would have made the at
tempt.
shut my eyes That long, terrible
flying leap, how | remember 1t, and m,
heart sickens even now as L think OF II
but half hands breadth, and we should
have gone down, down into the dark
deep, fearful gorge but we were safe
and triumphant laugh tioated back Il
my dismayed companion, who, complete
ly astounded, regarded me with an ex
preston akin to terror and despair.
"Clara, Clara, come back ride alonl
to where the chasm is narrower, and thei
cross again"
"Indeed | shall do no such thing"
retorted, diSdainfully, "lfyou are afraid
go home"
"And allow me to escort you?"
looked up in surprise to encounter
. brilliant pair of black eyes, and tai
elegant form, in hunters costume. Il
the person before me | recognized
young man who had for "A night partake
of my fathers hospitality, and departe
one morning with farewell to III
sounding mIIsically upon his lips. VIII
or what he was | did not know, but tea
was stranger to me then; and thinkln
only to vex my lover, | replied merrilS
that should under the circumstances b
provided for, and bade Mr.. Eric Swart
n good evening
"Clara, Clara, / cannot leave you thu
, Clara, do you know what you are d'
ling"
II trust do, sir" l replied haugl
lilly. =,
SGod forgive and help you" 1t VIZ
too dark for Inc to see his expression
but he turned and galloped madl
AWAY.