The Columbian fountain., 1846-01-03


on to that age in which women would rather be
called madam than miss Besides this, the noble,
young ndhandsome Chamberlain Hohenshof was
signing himself sick among her admirers. The
opportunity was not to be despised. A Iolerable
young man at hand, is worth an angel at dis
lance and girl is girl, all the world over
In short, Bridget exchanged letters with Rode
rick and gances with the young Chamberlain
and as the former exchange declined, the latter
became more rapid, until Bridget fairly wished
Roderick might prove little faithless, just to
give her an opportunity to break with him. But
he was not faithless, simply because his faith had
never been plighted. He had accustomed him
self firmly to regard her as his future partner in
life, but worshipped in secret the Countess Will
helmne, who was as dear to him as forbidden
sin.
AT length, through the kindness Of his Majes-
ty, with whom, or whose representative he nego-
tiated, his business was concluded very advanta-
geously for the Duke, and he was recalled with
many fiattering expressions.
Roderck almost fell into fever, when he saw
again the long left residence, the abode Of Will
helmine and his fever increased at the thought
of Bridget and the explanation, which all his
skill could no longer avoid. Indeed, on his arri-
val at the capital, his condition really, or ap
L
court physician, who, like true idiot in tender
matters, prescribed China root, rhubarb, and
heaven knows what; but certainly nothing to still
an uneasy heart. But the decisive step must be
taken, and the doctor was again consulted. "Let
me have something strengthening" said RODE
rick but the obstinate physician stuck to his
system, shook his head and sent an electuary,
which the charge swallowed, without suspicion.
Gaen's choice was unfortunate for a weighty ne
gotiation
At first all went well. The Privy Council
lor's family were delighted to see him they had
so much totell him. Roderick appeared so amia-
BILE, that Bridget on the spot forsook her troth to
| the tender young Chamberlain, and determined
| to make her peace with Roderick- In fact, the
father and mother expected nothing less, They
felt the young people should be left alone: an OPP
| portunity occurred, and the decisive hour had
come.
| The susceptible Bridget stammered out some
common places Roderick, as became him, an
swered like with like. They spokeof constancy;
of wishes never to part again of peaceful, trus-
ting unom-enough all was in the best possible
progress, when the electuary began to make itself
| felt.
Roderick wished by all means to conceal the
/ evil but in the struggle, love and security van
sbed. He became briefand thoughtful. Bridg-
ct, who conceived this to be the Struggle Of ardent
love and too great diffidence, exerted herself the
mora engerly to encourage him and to Danish his
shyness, but in vain. The unhappy man began
to rub his forehead, to bite his lips, and laugh SO
distractedly, that only Bridget's tenderness and
enthusiasm could have failed to observe it.
The more enticingly she looked into his eyes,
the deeper was his anguish. He took great pains
[ {ba
marked with unspeakable despair. She noticed
Twas uneasy-fe -feared-and became more em
barrassed than himself.
4 NJ @, Roderck," said she, after such long
c9uainance--such long friendship as we have
both enjoyed, we should begin to be honest to-
wards each other But deny it no longer,-you
are not candid with me. Let us not deceive our
selves.
He gazed on her long with singular anguish,
which she interpreted falsely, and asked in his
distraction, in order TO say something, g What do
you mean love ~
''Woe's mel" sighed she, turning her eyes to
heaven I" we do not yet understand each other.
But yes-I understand you. Be it so. But why
have you not been open and honest towards your
friend 2"
81 not open not honest ?" cried he with
smothered voice, pacing the room restessly In
the anguish of his soul he could say no more.
No! Roderick! Yon are not candid.
know it. Confess it now. You love another"
g Another" sighed Roderick !; and his trouble
increased, for he thought she suspected Wilhel-
NINE
"Ah!" said the lady with lofty earnestness,
:" you are pale, your features are distorted Go!
/ ! will never have no part in your heart. Go Sir |!
May you be happy md she curiously awaited
the effect which this bold aposrophe wonld pro-
duce on Roderick.
/ But he, busy in his thoughts with the goddess
doctor, did not suffer her to repeat the joyful
word " Go" third time seized his hat, kissed
quickly the ady's hand with guilty look, and
rushed from the room.
On the following day, the engagement Of NJ.
| Won Landerrn with the Chamberlain Won Ho-
| henshof was formerly announced in the Resi-
dence.
Roderick could not be Indifferent to this sudden
change, however delighted he might be to have
regained his freedom. 1t grieved him to be mis-
understood by the Councillor, and gratitude rem
dered it incumbent on him to give that gentle
man full explanation of the circumstance
After the solenmnization of the nuptials Rode
rick had the fortune to obtain an interview with
M Won Landern, who had before avoided him.
His sincerity cleared up the misunderstanding,
and the Councillor after laughing heartily, com
foried the good Roderick, who had represented
himself rather more in love than he really was.
But my Cod why did he not tell me that D,
cried Madame Hohenshof when she heard il -