Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1843-04-15


at an evening party where he recognized
her, and in such a way as induced Robert
to ask if she had not been intimate with
him. The dread of discovery, and of her
lovers dispIeasure if the truth was known.
induced her to deny the Acquaintance Of
Mr.. Warren, saying that he was only
gentleman who had once paid her some
civilities in a sage-coach, and that he pre-
sumed too much in claiming friendship
with her. The answer satisfied Robert.
but it did not satisfy her own heart. From
that evening she had been tortured with
fears lest her falsehood should be discover
ed; and often had she blushed scarlet, even
in the solitude of her chamber, when she
thought of her duplicity.
With an anxious heart Lucy awaited
the temperance of her lover. The hour
passed away, then another, and still anoth-
er, yet he came not. The poor girl was
now dreadfully alarmed, and not until
midnight would she yield to Ellen's en-
treaties to retire. Something dreadful she
knew must have happened, since Robert
had never before thus disappointed her.
Ellen strove to quiet her fears in vain.
At length, ust as they were retiring, came
hasty note from Robert, apologizng for
his absence on the ground of unavoidable
business. He would call, however, early
in the morning" There was something
ominous in this; and Lucy spent the night
in tears.
With the morning came Robert, and
when his card was sent up with request
for private interview with Lucy, the
alarmed girl could scarcely compose her
self sufficiently to 60 down. Her first
glance at her lover assured her that all
was known, for, instead of greeting her
as he was wont, cold bow was his only
salutation. Lucy sank trembling into :
chair; and Robert, without seeming TO no.
tice her, walked with folded arms gloonily
up and down the room, At length he
paused sternly before her.
miss Thornton" he began, and oh! how
this formal mode Of address cut Lucy's
heart, "you seem not unaware of the OBJ
ject of my visit, and indeed l see, in your
face, the evidence of that guilt which
had fondly hoped you had not committed
But to my tale. Know then that yesterday
! received a note from a Mr.. Warren. re-
questing TO see me at his hotel last evening
for half an hour. The name was strange
to me, but on going to his room, recog-
nized gentleman who once addressed you
familiarly, and whose acquaintance you de-
MED. To me he revealed allow you
grsciously received his attentions, how you
led him by various signs to believe his suit
would prosper, and how at length you re-
nounced him with selfish heartlessncss. I
, might have disbelieved him, had he not
placed in my hand these notes. They were
written to him at Saratoga. and though not
explicit, shew how you triAed with him.
You turn pale--you recognize your hand
E writing. 1t is enough"
Hitherto Robert had spoken with breath
less rapidity, evidently in high emotion.
He now paused, for, at these last words,
Lucy burst into tears. Regarding her sor-
, rowfuly a minute, he took his hat and
turned to leave the room. The poor girl
forgetting every feeling of pride in her de-
spair, caught him by the arm, and sobbed,
II acknowledge all, but had some ex.
cuse, and have long ago seen my error.
Since have known you, have ever trifed
with any onel Oh! think of this and for
give me-"
h. Lucy" said he, disengaging her hold
e Il could have forgotten your trifing with
, this young man, but can | forget your
b falsehood to mel 1t is not a month since
S this last act. Had you, at that time, frankly
T.. told me all, would have taken you to my
e breast, and forgiven you freely; but now il
e is too late. What guarantee have that
: you will moi deceive me again7 No--you
have invited your own fate-from this mo-
r ment shall forget you" And breaking
Il from her, he left the room. The poor CIR
. stood, like one stricken, in the very spo
9 where he disengaged himself from her dc
e spairing grasp, until she heard the from
$, door close, when she fell senseless TO tn,
], floor.
d The next day Lucy was in high fever
l. and Ellen, who SUSPECTED the truth from III,