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tag ot RIO ne SNR
98 MALAESKA,
CUA RCT
1
NE
X,
\
hand with a clutch of iron, ** say that, this was a story —a sad, pit-
iful story got up to punish my prides’ say but this, and I will give
you all I have on earth — every farthing. I will love you, better
than a thousand sons. His frame shook with agitation, and he
guzed upon her as one pleading for his life. .
When the wretched mother saw the hopeless misery which she had
heaped upon her proud and sensitive child, she Would liave laid
down her life could she have unsaid the tale which had wrought such
ms agony, without bringing a stain of falsehood on her soul.
‘sy But words are fearful Weapons, never to be checked when once
put in motion. Like barbed arrows they enter the heart, and can
not be withdrawn again, even by. the -hand that hag shot them.
- The poor Indian mother could not recall hers, but she tried to soothe
~ the proud feclings which had been so terribly. wounded.
~ * Why should my son scorn the race of his mother? The blood
Which she gave him from her heart was that of a braye and kingly
line, warriors and chieftains, all—?
‘The youth interrupted her with a low bitter laugh. The deep pre-
- judices which had been instilled into his nature — pride, despair, every
feeling which ‘urges to madness and evil— were a fire in his heart.
~. §* So T have a patent of nobility to gild my. sable birthright, an an-
cestral line of dusky chiefs to boast of. Ishould have known this,
when I offered my hand to that lovely girl. She little knew the digs
nity whiéh awaited her union, Father of heaven, my heart wi
break —I am going mad!?? |
- He looked wildly” around as he spoke, and his eyes settled on ve
dark waters, flowing so tranquilly a few feet beneath him. insta ly
he became calm, as one who had found an unexpected resource 11 hs
afiliction. His face was perfectly colorless and gleamed like mt
as he turned to his mother, who stood in a posture of deep humy ity
~ and supplication a few paces off, for she dared not approach a
again either with words of comfort or tenderness. All the swe
hopes which had of Jate _been so warm in her heart, were utterly (
crushed,’ She was a heart-broken, wretched woman, without a ope
on this side the grave. ‘The young man drew close 16 her, and ta 5
ing both her hands, looked sorrowfully into her face. His voice was
tranquil and deep-toned, but a slight husky sound gaye an unna
ral solemnity to his words. =. . << swear
** Malaeska,”? he said, raising her hands toward ‘heaven, i .
to me’ by the God ‘whom we both worship, that you have told m
nothing but the truth; [ would have no doubt.” wo lomn
There was something sublime in his position, and in the so eon
calmness which had settled upon him. ‘The poor woman had Hos”
- Weeping, but the tears were checked in her eyes, and her pale ‘pS
ceased their quivering motion and became firm, as she looked up
the white face bending over her, 7
_ “As [hope to meet you, my son, before that God, I have spoken
nothing but the truth. - m
~ “Malaeska le? 0
; genase EINE
Pawar mene cena
: Sop cssetes
Piccons:
“vr
oad
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