Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1848-09-08

Sell mort IMAM HdlI. f1eTe am 4, twenty
years old and never have thought Of any,
thing, never have done anything, except to
amuse and crafty myself: no purpose-no
object nothing dignifed--n nothing worth
living for! only parior ornament, heigh-ho!
Well, ! really do believe could do something
with this Elliot; and yet how | dread to
try"
Now my good readers, if you are anticipa-
ting love story, we must hasten to put in
our disclaimer--you are quite mistaken in the
case. Our fair, brilliant heroine was at the
time of speaking, as whole-hearted as the
diamond on her bosom, which reflected the
light in too many sparkling rays ever to absorb
it. She had to be sure, half In earnest, half
In jest. maintained bantering, platonic sort
of friendship with George Elliot; she had
danced, ridden, sung and sketched with him;
but so had she with twenty other young men,
and as tocoming to anything tender with such
quick brilliant, restless creature, Elliot
would soon have undertaken to sentiment
taiize over glass of soda water. No, there
was decidedly no love in the case.
"What curious ring that is =" said Elliott
to her, day or two after, as they were read
ing together.
Its knights ring," said she playfully,
as she drew II oft and pointed to coral cross
set in gold; ga ring of the red-cross Knights.
Come, now, have great mind to bind you
to my service with it's
''Do, lady fairs
elf you take this pledge, you must obey
whatever commands l lay upon you in its
name.''
{" swearc' said Elliott, in the mock heroic,
and placed the ring on his finge.
An evening two after, Elliott attended
forence to party at Mrs. BIS. Every
thing was gay and brilliant, and there was no
rack OF either wit or wine. Elliott was stand
ing In little alcove spread with refreshments,
with glass of wine in his hands. 81 forbid
1t; the cup is poisoned said voice in his
ear. lie termed quickly, and Florence was
a. MS SIDE. Every one was busy with laugh
ing and talking around, and nobody saw the
5 .,dden start and flush that these words pro-
dnced, as Elliot looked earnestly in the lady s
face. She smiled, and pointed playfully 20
the ring; but after all, there was in her face
an expression of agitation and interest which
she could not repress, and Elliott felt, how
ever playful the manner, that she was in ear
nest; and as she glided away in the crowd he
stood with his arms folded, and his eyes fixed
on the spot where she disappeared.
''ls it possible that | am suspected-that
there are things said of me as if was in
danger9'' was the first thought that flashed
through his mind. How strange that man
may appear doomed, given up and lost, to the
eye OF every loOker-on, before he begins to
suspect himself! This was the first time that
any defined apprehension of loss of character
had occurred to Elliott and he was startled
as if from dream.
hat the deuce is the matter of you, Ell
lott! you look solemn as hearse!'' said
a young man near by.
Has miss Gilmore cut you'll asked anoth-
er.
'sCome- man, have glass; said third.
'sLet him alone-he's bewitched,' said a
fourth; 81 saw the spell laid on him. None
of US can tell but what our turn may come
next"
An hour later, that evening, Florence was
talking, with her usual spirit, to group who
collected around her, when suddenly
looking up, she saw Elliott, standing in an
abstracted manner, at one of the windows that
looked out into the balcony.
''He is offended, L dare saw" she thought,
.'but what should l carel For once in my
life have tried to do right thing, good
thing; l have risked giving offence for less
than this, many time.
Still, Florence could not but feel little
tremulous when, a few 1hinutes after, Elliott
approached her, and offered his arm for a
promenade. They walked up and down the
room, she talking volubly, and he answering
yes and no, and anything else, at cross. pur-
poses, till at length, as if by accident, he drew
her into the balcony which overhung the gar
den. The moon was shining brightly, and
everything without, in its placid quietness.
contrasted strangely with the busy, hurrying
scene within.
''NIiss. Elmore,' said Elliot, abruptly,
''may | ask you sincerely, had YOU any de-
sign In remark you made to me in the early
part of the EVENING"
Florence paused, and though habitually the
most practced and self-possessed of women.
the color actually receded from her cheek. as
she answered.. Yes, Mr. Elliott must
confess | had"
''And is 1t possible, then, that you have
heard anything :"
81 have heard, Mr.. Elliot, thatwhich makes
me tremble for you, and for those whose life
| know is bound up in you; and, tell me-
Were it well or friendly in me to know that
such things were said, that such danger exis.
ted, and not TO warn YOU of it p
Elliot stood for few minutes in silence.
Shave l offended Have | taken too prea
liberty asked Florence gently.
Hitherto Elliot had only seen in Florence
the sel-possessed, assured, high-spirited wo-
man of fashion; but there was a reality. and
depth of feeling, in the few words she had
spoken TO him, In this interview, that opened
to him entirely new view of her charac-
ter.
No, Miss Elmore,' said he4 earnestly.
after some pause. Il may be paired: often
ded cannot be. To tell the truth. | have
been thoughtless, excited, dazzled: NV snir-
Its, naturally buoyant, have carried me. often
too far, and lately, have often painfully sus-
pecied my own powers ofresistanee; | have
really felt that | needed help but have bean
too proud to confess, even to myself. that I
needed II. You Miss Elmore have DOM
what perhaps. no one else could have done. =
am overwhelmed with gratitude. and | shall
bless You for it to the latest day of my life. |
am ready to pledge myself to anything you
may ask on this subject