The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-06-21
TT. BELL, Editor and Proprietor.


and his evenings were always spent elsewhere
heard of Lin constantly as the delight and
ornament of the social circle, and it seemed
strange to me that he who had been the chosen
friend, the constant companion of my beloved
brother, could soon cease to mourn his I'M
timely death. For the first time, doubt of my
lovers sincerity, entered my mind. strove to
Danish it, but in vain. Suspicion reused is not
easily lulled. A number of little incidents,
which | had never before remarked, crowded
#, upon my remembrance, and increased my
Indebtedness. Six months from the period of
} my brothers death, my regret for his loss was
merged in the more paignant grief of being
compelled to doubt the truth of him | yet so
fondly loved.
During my absence from town, a widow la
dy and her daughter arrived there, and had
taken their residence at the Hotel in which
! Murray resided had heard much of the
younger lady, and more than once limitations
of the devoted attention which Murray paid
her, had reached my ear. Hitherto had dis
regarded these reports, considering them idle
gossip; but now they assumed more importance
in my eyes, and determined to Judge for my.
self in matter which SO nearly concerned my
own happiness.
An opportunity soon presented itself. lady
with whom | was intimate, gave concert. |
! ascertained that my lover and the stranger lady
were among the invited guests; and feigning
great desire TO hear the music, and an indispos-
tion TO ningle with the company, prevailed
! on Mrs. Willis to station me in small closet,
| the window of which looked into her splendid
saloon. Here, shaded by the curtain, had an
! opportunity of seeing the guests enter, and
waited IN breathless anxiety for some occur
! renee which should dispel my doubts, or
by confirming them, should destroy my
every hope of happiness. | was not kept
long in suspense. My lover was among the
first thar entered the rom and on his arm
there hung creature of such surprising love
illness, that as | gaZed on her, almost ceased
to blame him for not resisting charms, which,
even to my prejudiced eyes, appeared resist
less. Murray led his companion to a seat near
my window, and held my breath that | might
catch the words which in a low, thrilling wills
per he addressed to her. | could not hear dis
tncty, but heard and saw enough to convince
me that he loved her, and that the professions
which he still made to me were false and hol- !
low. did not shrek or faint: the very inten- !
sity of my feelings gave me strength. | left !
the house unperceived by any one, and gained |
my own apartment before my absence from |
home had been discovered. I will not describe |
the agonies in which that dreadful night was |
passed. | struggled with my feelings, and re-
fused to give them vent; for knew that
should see Murray the next morning, and ] |
would not that he should read in my face the
misery he had inflicted. He came at the usual
hour and received him alone, and after con-
versing for n few moments on Indifferent top
les, told him (withOut adverting to the report
that was in circulation, to any thing | had
seen or heard that had grown weary of our
engagement, and desired to be released from it
had nerved myself for the task, and | spoke
calmly. Murray gazed at me as if he would
read my very heart, but my woman's pride
was reused, and | bore his scrutiny without
betraying one sign of the bitterness which was
eating away my heart. MY love for him had
been so undisguised, that he could not believe
| was sincere in desiring a dissolution of our
engagement, and even made some faint efforts !
to induce me to recede from my determination. |
From all that passed at that interview, | am !
convinced he never loved me- He was am |
bilious man, and my influential connexions, and |
the large fortune was to inherit, induced him (
to make those false professions which had re
paid with the fervent devotion of young and |
aueness heart | may as well tell you mere, |
that a few months after the dissolution of our |
engagement, he married Miss Fleetwood, (who |
was also an heiress, thong her fortune was not
so large as mine,) and went to the South to |
take possession of her estates. L hus ende my |
dream of love. Its effects on my character |
were not so transient From the most trusting |
of human beings, had become one of the most
suspicious. repealed all advances, even from1
my female friends; for feared they covered
some mercenary design. My wealth had be-
temper rendered my home solitary, and married
the happiness of my too indulgent protectress !
had ceased to love Murray; for ! could not
long regret one whose meanDess had excited
nv contempt; but felt as if could never a
gain knowing the happiness of loving and be-
Eeving myself beloved.
! The continued gloom of my mind at la t af
fected my health, and was ordered 10 travel.
! was glad to leave place which had been the
scene of so much misery, and accompanied by
] my kind friend, visited the principle cities of
our country. Travelling had a beneficial eff
! feet on my health and spirits, and gradually
recovered something ofmy former cheerfuness.
We remained some time in Philadelphia, In
which beautiful city. Mrs. Burney had several
connexions. Among these was ayoung man
named Frank Herbert. He was partner IN
one of The first commercial houses in the city,
and though not remarkably handsome. his ap
pearance and manners were in the highest de-
gree progressing. saw him every day, and
before was aware Of it, my feelings became
deeply interested. He had formed a sincere
attachment for me, and now | might have been
happy; but the poison of suspicion had been
infused into nv mind, and its effects were ia
tai TO nv peace. was not certain that the
love which herbert professed was disnierested,
and resolved. before accepted his hand, to
test the sincerity his regard. My scheme
was warmly opposed by my more judicious
friend, and it was only because she had not
learned to refuse me any thing that she al last
consented 10 assist me.
i received my lover on the morning after ne
had declared himself, with sorrowful counte-
marco and deeply detected manner. In answer
to his alarmed enquiries as TO the cause of my
distress, Informed him that Mrs. Burney had
just heard of the failure of the Banking institu.
: tuition IN which nearly her whole fortune was
] placed, and that what remained was barely