The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-02-16
are susceptible of but a. single defini-

1 ;
ton :" asked his friend searchingly.
i "Oh. perhaps sometimes girls do
lose their hearts thus ; but IT'S only
when they know nothing of the world.
Gentlemen will be attentive to the la
dies and So and 500
| "And SO sometimes a heart will be
broken by the criminal coquetry of our
SEX" Indignantly interrupted the other.
There was pause, during which Har-
ry regarded his friend in surprise. AT
length he spoke.
"Why, really, you leok at the sub
lject too warmly but calm your fears;
neither Sophy nor Miss ValIiere will
break their. hearts for me, thank heav-
en- : If either is at all smitten,'' and he
complacently pulled the smoke slowly
FfroH, his mouth, t'she would never be
the worse for it, even il l sholdn't
marry her-a mere preference, moth
ing more, believe me -
| "Well, hope so," said his compan-
ion, and here the conversation ceased.
Days aud weeks passed, and still
Harry was torn by conflicting emotions,
Zone while inclined toward the heiress,
and another while yielding to the faci-
nations of her rival. Often, during
this period, his conscience reproached
him for his conduct to Evellne, and he
resolved to forget Sophy but again be
yielded to the temptation, and neglec-
ted bis first love. He could no Ion
ger conceal from himself that Miss
! Velliere loved him, since her every
look and action when in his presence,
and her dependency at his absence
and neglect, revealed it. His heart
smote him, when he thought this was
his work but, he asked himself ought
he 10 wed one whom he did not love p
Should he sacrifice happiness with So
ply, who had an intellect to sympa-
thize with him, for indifference with E.v
line ? He did not remember when
thus reasoning with himself, that he
had at one time, thought Miss Valliere
better fitted for wife, by her gentle
ness and unreserved devotion, than
one of more brilliant but less anna
BILE character. He forgot, too, that her
affections had been yielded slowly, and |
only in return for the most ceaseless
attentions. But, like too many Of his |
sex, be tired of an object when won.
But the struggle at length termina-
ted, and with the GekIotsess that 1iaar~
acterized his conduct, terminated in |
favor. of the newer object Of his love-
He resolved TO cease visiting Eveline,
and devote himself wholly to Miss |
Greene. His visits accordingly in
creased in frequency at her house and |
he soon became satisfied that her at
tentions to him we're more marked than |
those she bestowed on other young
men. Thus encouraged he did not
hesitate TO declare himself one evening
when favorable opportunity presep-
ted.
Sophy listened to his ardent protes-
tations with burning cheek and hea-
ting bosom but, when he ceased, she
slowly raised her eyes from the ground,
and said
''Before / can consent to become
your wife, will you answer me one
question:" and fixing her eyes search
lngly on his face, though her cheek
cfimsoned deeper as she did it, she
asked, lido you know EVeliDe Valli-
ere %
Had a spectre started up before him,
Harry would not have looked more
apbast. What could she mean? Had
she heard of his attentions to, and his
desertion OF, Miss Valliere Did she
resent the latter ?-or had she merely
learned the former, and wished TO solve
her doubts before answering ! This
last idea was the most fattering, and,
therefore. the ore adopted. lie sml-
led as he replied.
ayes! once knew lady by thatt
name." :,
"Once knew her!!" said Sophy, with
marked emphasis, aand do you know
her no longer?
II can scarcely say I do said Har-
nv. his embarrassment returning at the
decided manner Of his questioner.-
s.But she has long forgotten me, and
have ceased visiting there. :.
"There needed but this baseness'
said Sophy. rising with flashing eyes,
the whole expression OF her face chan-
ging to indignant scoru, ito make you
as contemplate in my eyes, as you
were before criminal. Knows ialse
and tickle man, that have heard the
whole history of your acquaintance
with Miss Valliere-hoW, BY slow and
winning attentions you possessed your
self Of her heart--ho~, when you met
another who, for the time, pleased your
selfish nature better, you became at.
fentiye to this new acquaintanee-ana
how, Notwithstanding you knew me
love Miss VaIlierebore for you, you.a1
!, ~. Lar N nine In desDondencysl