The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-08-21

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in nv own case could hardly find point
the subject of feelings. Still she was aware
of the little heart-fre that was warming my
breast, and l thought / had often noticed q
responsive hand pressure. Beside, she in
quired less frequently and less interestedly
about Rob, and 1 began to fancy that my
flame had communicated to her own altar OF
| affection, and there burned, rejecting my
own image in its happy light
/ Vain imaginingsl How little does man
understand the affections of woman until
experience and disappointment open the door
to scrutiny. How many men in blind and
wicked conceit, fancy themselves secure in
the estimation of their adored one, when she,
all Intentionally, allows his passions to as
sumo such weight and importance in the well
fare of his own existence, and all the while
her own heart is aching, her form losing its
plumpness, and her manner its gaiety, simply
for want of an inspiriting embrace and nour-
| ishing cares from one who is absent. Her
manner to those around her is too often to-
tally different from what her feelings die
tate. An unnatural pride is the cause of
this, and by it she may unwittingly give en-
enlargement when she least intends it.
So it was with me when called, on my
1
her all, and not once doubling the answer 1
should receive. Time had built me a stand
in the world, and was able to take and, as
1 thought comfort her for her life We
| chatted pleasantly; / loved her sweet voice.
| She smiled at my words. l loved the dim
| piles of her face and the occasional blush that
mantled her brow, seemingly prompted by
some fair spirit, to render more beautiful that
which i revered; for surely no word had as
yet been uttered to command its presence
The blush is one of loves loveliest tokens
when we see it unprompted by word or
action 1t is the offspring of inward con-
sciousness and godly innocence, and 1 was
entranced. The evening wore on, and 1
nerved myself for the declaration. Surely
some divine inspiration gave her power to
read my soul, for almost at theinstant would
have commenced. she said.
''Cliff, you are my best friend; highly es-
TEEN you, and have cherished your friend
ship for many reasons. First, and supremely
above all, you were Roberts dearest compan-
ion, and l shall ever cherish even his men,
DRY. Perhaps he is dead, perhaps his heart is
possessing greater personal charms
has won from him that which
he had in his keeping but by all his vows,
my own. feel that l haye been cruelty
robbed, and yet censure myself for enter
tanning the thought, for he may yet be true.
Oil the pain of lost affection" and she put
| her hands to her face and wept.
| Imagine my thoughts and feelings at this
moment. was wounded; desperately, be-
ieved, and was almost deprived of utterance.
/ took both hands in mine. She raised her
| eyes, and met the passionate glance of my
| own. They did not culver, and 1 spoke my
hearts dictation, word for word.
She listened quietly and earnestly, in spite
of the burning tears that wet her cheeks.
| But in these now seemingly lovelorn eyes.
there was no glance of rapture, no modest
blush ON the face, but an expression of heart
breaking agony; and, as folded her to my
| breast, she sobbed and tore herself away with
look of offended maidenhood. l cursed
myself for letting my desires override my
better senses of propriety. 1 begged for
giveness, and plead my love rs an only ex-
cuse. She was easily pacifed; but that eve
ming learned that her heart was unalterably
another's. Even now my reverence was of
such a nature that could not tell her what
1 knew of Rob. In fact, only the day be-
fore had received long and interesting
letter, telling where he was and how en-
ployed. Time had estrangcd his heart from
/ Tic ma >, anu uc was uOW sun W
the wealthy gentleman who first employed
him.
So, Nina and parted, and, despite the
circumstances, her usual pleasant dreams"
was not forgotten.
"Nina," said 1, as we fingered at the gate,
show can be visited with such when my
poor heart is crying in its agony2 Your
| good will is even pain, for / can never again
be the happy and gay-hearted youth of yes
terday."
AS 1 chung despairingly to her hand, 1 felt
it shake, and knew that some new emotion
was within her, and then, oh, the desperation
with which grasped at her words can only
be imagined by one who has passed through
loves severe ordeals.
Whatever your dreams may be, Clifford
tell me, and If torturing as you say. | may
be able to offer some little consolation
"Nina,"I continued, "this night 1 think
the fates shall reveal my destiny. Surely
our trials have been somewhat different from
the regular order, and you shall know what
ever happens, be it shown me in sleep OIL
otherwise. You refuse my offer of hand ano
heart. Perhaps some unseen power may
also tell you if it be wise or not. Goodbye.
And we parted.
Again 1 sat beside my loved one. Some
persuasion had gained from her the fact tina
in her dream all had seemed blank, anC
then dim light in the distance; but it hat
not lined the edge of clouds that made al
obscurity, but came, all brightness in itself
from another direction. interpreted, at he,
desire, and merely said that happiness wa
hers. but from q source she least expected
! Then / recounted what 1 had seen in m.
slumbers, and watched each movement o
her features the while.
II dreamed that was far away from hom
somewhere. The place was not wildly de
fined, and l thought myself on its wood
' outskirts, wandering and lost in meditation. /
was love, and as tried to collect my troubles
thoughts, l beheld passing before me beau
tiful young girl. Seeing her blush and hurr
past, 1 naturally followed her with my eye
: and quickened my walk. l saw her pus
l her way through the woods, until, arrivin
!. at a small stream with rocky banks she seate
r herself upon a stone and buried her face i
her hands. / stood watching her for som
; minutes, and at length heard low sol
U Why, l knew not, but | felt strange in
i pulse to GO to her and question the cause {
her distress. did so, and strangely enoug
n she was not startled, though unaware of m
g my presence till spoke. She raised h
II face, and smiled through her tears. W,
l. strangely impressed with her remarkab
beauty, and gazed in almost wonder. 4
length she said:
"You would naturally inquire the cause
,, my presence in this lonely place, and wond
at my tears; you shall hear. love, and 10y
81 deeply. The object of my affection came
g this country several years since, and at Il
re time circumstances prevented my accompan
q, ing him. At last found means to come,
NJ thought to himself and happiness. Wh'