The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-06-16


frees were donning their youthful garb of
loring The acacia had as yet only few
stives, while the chestnut and the syca-
hre, much more precocious, were al
rely strutting in their opulent green
rdAs, as if proud of the vigor of their
SAP The hawthorne, which grows here
amog other trees, not in hedges, as il is
madt to do in more civilized countries,
was 2 covered with snow of flowers
that wsted to US long breaths of perfume.
All thIsDeautiful savage nature spoke to
the soul,nd seemed to promise unutter-
able joyi
Al last NE sun rose. Ii was magical
1t daintiis gilded the hawthorne bios
SONS, the trnks and branches of the trees
and flung NY light upon their foliage.
And the Sam roseate CLEANS sparkled in
the clear-blue, waters of the river. which
flowed all calray at our feet.
charm than | cannot explain came
slowly over me. MY sensibilities seemed
strangely intensih,d | thought that INV
perceptions had become more delicate
more subtle than they had been before
Perhaps II was the beautiful but sleepless
night that had excited my nerves Il fam
cied so at the time; but be that as il
may, | know that never again during nv
life did the sight of Il fair landscape un-
der the rising sun fill me with such emo
ton. | felt like one about to weep.
Then looked at that beautiful young
woman, who, during two long months,
had ministered to me with such loving
care and kindness, lest should feel lone
ly at being so far away from my own
home. She beamed with roseate health
and youth, with goodness and frankness.
In her, and in the splendid scenery that
seemed to make background for her
picture, there was summed up for me all
the greatest and mightiest poetry of ma
/ ture.
We walked on slowly without speaking
to one another. | do not know if the
morning air had intoxicated me, but /
| felt lassitude that could scarcely strive
against.
81 feel tired, Mariana" said To her
" let us rest here moment thou madest
me run about little too much in the vii
lage"
Then let us sit down, my young gen.
Il
| tleman," she answered
Mariana had one peculiar grace-her
sweet speech. She did not, perhaps, ex-
press herself with the elegance of the city
women; but the admirable tone of her
voice-a voice low, deep, melodious and
caressing-lent great charm TO all that
she said.
We seated ourselves upon the trunk of
tree that had been recently cut down.
She was not much inclined to chat that
day. In order tolmake her talk, asked
her all sorts of questions at random.
even asked her about her husband, who
had long been absent on military duty,
never suspecting in giving this turn to the
conversation | was venturing upon dam
gerous ground.
when dost thou expect thy husband
to return ?" asked.
do not know" she answered me, if
he will soon return. He wrote 10 me
that he would not be long away but il
is now six months or more since | got
that letter, and have not heard any fur
ther news of him.
Thou must feel lonely at home Were
you living long together before he went
away p"
Three weeks only
And thou must have cried for him
great deal when he went to join the
service?'
She smiled.
"How can it concern thee TO know ?'
she replied.
"Was it any harm TO ask thee?'
"No," she answered, after moments
reflection, " Ii was not any harm. But
dost thou wish me to answer thee very
frankly-to tell thee the whole truth ?"
50 Certainly, or else do not answer me
at ALL"
well, then, | will say TO thee that
did not cry when he went away. did
not love him. ! was married to him
against my will"
"And now thou dost not love anyone"
| asked, with real interest.
Eyes, / do" she returned, with a
smile.
And may l know whom thou
lowest ?'
Thou mayst."
"Then who ?'
love this ring"
And she held up before my eyes the
little gold ring had given her at the
morning service.
But there is no sense in loving a ring
an inanimate object that cannot speak
to thee-that cannot tell thee one wish of
the heart 2"
Mariana blushed, but made no answer
And AS she remained silent long time,
| said:
"Why dost thou say nothing? Is
it because thou hast suddenly become
dumb?'
"No," she answered sweetly, Il have
not become dumb, but think it is better
that l should be silent, for | am very
much afraid that all this talk would lead
US to nothing good"
Perhaps thou art right" answered,
a little disappointed. Then rising,
said:
Let us walk on-let us go to thy
sisters"
Very well, let US go, my young gentle
man." she responded, with little sadness
in her voice.
y
We had another verst and half to
walk before reaching the farm. For some
we proceeded in silenee-occu-
pied with our thoughts.
We came to little grove of birch trees
Suddenly Mariana turned toward me,
md looking me full in the face, said,
with 4 blush:
Il would hke-I would like so much
% tell thee, but could never dare TO tell
still, thou must know il. I must tell |
hsA, because If do not tell thee think
| should die Let us sit down here,'