The Democratic Whig., 1843-02-16

ton = asked his friend searchingly.
"Oh! perhaps sometimes girls do
lose their hearts thus but rs only
wi's'. 'hey know nothing Of the world.
Gentlemen wIil be auehnve 10 the la
dies and So and So"
"And so sometimes a heart will be
broken by the criminal coquetry Of our
sex, Indignantly interrupted the other.
There was a pause, during which Har-
ry regarded his friend in surprise. Al
length be spoke.
"Why, really, you look al the sub
ject TOO warmly but calm your fears;
neither Sophy nor Miss Valliere will
break their hearts for me, thank heav-
en- ! If either is al all smitten," and he
complaoently pufed the smoke slowly
| from his mouth, "she would never be
the worse for It, even If / 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, aOd still
Harry was torn by conflicting emotions,
one 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 bis conduct 10 EvelIne, and he
resolved to forget Sophy but again be
yielded to the temptation, and neglec-
ted bis first love. He could no lon
ger conceal from himself that Miss
Valliere loved him, since her every
look aed action when in his presence,
and her dependency at his absence
and neglect, revealed il. 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 /?
Should be sacrifice happiness with So
ply, who had an intellect to sympa-
thize with him, for indifference with Ev
line ? He did not remember when
thus reasoning with himself, that he
had at one time, thought Miss Valliero
better Gued for a wife, by her gende-
ness and unreserved devotion, than
one Of a more brilliant but less amia-
bic character. He forgot, too, that her
affections had been yielded SLOWLY, and
only in return for the most ceaseIess
attentions. But, like too many Of his
sex, be tired Of an object when won.
But the struggle ai length termina-
ted, and with - ash3sSsss4 -llsSt .siss-
aclerized bis conduct, lomaba.0d in
favor. of the newer object Of his love-
He resolved to cease visiting E9eline,
and devote himself wholly 10 Miss
Greene. His visits accordingly in
creased in frequency at her house and
he soon became satisfied that her at
teniions to him were more marked than
those she bestowed on other young
men. Thus encouraged he did not
hesitate 10 declare himself one evening
when favorable opportunity presen- !
ted.
SOphy listened to his ardent protes- !
tations with burning check and a 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
deeper as she did it, she
asked, "do you know EveliUe Valli-
ere ?"
Had a spectre started up before him,
Harry would not have looked more
aghast. What could she mean9 Had
she heard Of his attentions to, and his
desertion OF, Miss ValIiere Did she
resent the latter ?--or had she merely
learned the former, and wished 10 solve
her doubts before answering' This
last idea was the most aattering, and,
therefore, the one adopted. He smi-
led as he replied,
"Yes! once knew a lady by that
1ame."
"ORce knew herl" said Sophy, with
marked emphasis, "and do you know
ler no longer"
Il can scarcely say ] do" said Har-
y, his embarrassment reiuning at the
lecided manner Of his questioner.-
'Bui she has long forgotten me, and /
lavo ceased visiting there"
"There needed but this baseness,"
iaid Sophy. rising with flashing eyes,
he whole expression Of her face chan
ying to indignant seorn, "to make you
is contemplate in my eyes, as you
we're before criminal Know, false
ind tickle man, that / have heard the
whole history Of your acquaintance
with Miss Valliere-how, BY slow aud
Winning attentions you possessed your
elf Of her heart-hSw, when you met
mother who, for the time, pleased your
el6sh nature better, you became at
entive TO this new acquaintance-and
low, Notwithstanding you knew the
owe Miss YallieTe bore for you, you at
ength leh her to pine in dependency,
lntil her life is now despaired Of by