The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1849-06-01

tatse1 Oy tnost euaCCoufitaofy. 'Se""s
u Encouragement came over him. lie
saw 10 light in the future. Anxious TO lead
10 the altar the one he loved, he yet hesita'
ted; for he could rot think OF removing her
from her p.eassn. hume 10 one inferior, or
wanting in the tlegaBcies with which she
was familiar.
Whie hestating whether 10 ask his be-
trothet,, for such was the relation Adeliue
bore to him, to name an eaily day for their
marriage he observed a sudden change III
hermanucr towards him. While bordering
This strange circumstance, he was adonish'
ell by the receipt Of all his letters aud little
souvenirs and a cold request TO have hers
returned. Indignant at such Eiih'e,sness
he sent back what she desired without a
word of reply, written OF verbal. Bat the
circrmtancc seemed 10 stun him. lie had
loved iieliue with IA most earnest affection,
anil ia all his dreams Of his future life, her
image had been beautifully blended. The
blow was heavy one, aud saddened his
heart for life. Soon after he left the East
and removed TO Western city.
Ter years had elapsed and then Wheeler
came back for the first time since he had
gone away. On the little sun he had saw
Ell from his earnings he had commenced
small business in far oil western town.
Gradually this grew into importance, aud
now i, became necessary 10 visit the East
in order to purchs se a stock Of goods.
Hitherto he had supplied hin,selfeithcrn
Cincinnati or pitt ,bnrG. In the old place
he found everything changed. Scarcely
familiar countenance met him as he walked
through the streets, and in the business por-
tiou OF the city, only here and there did he
observe the signs Of other times. Card.
ner, the once unfortunate bank teller, had
become a prosperous merchant, and was
considered to be worth fifty or sixty thous-
and dollars. This he learned with pleas
ure.
Wheeler did not ask for Alelirc. He
could not trust himself 10 speak of her 10
any one; for not yet had her beautiful i'm
age faded from his memory. Once truly
beloved; and never proved unworthy Of his
hearts best affections, he had not been able
10 forget her. Yet, having been rejected,
without a reason, he had never felt inclined
- ask for one, nor 10 n renewal Of the old
relations. For all he knew to the contrary,
she had become, years before, the bride OF
another.
After remaining few days il the city,
and making his purchase, he prepared 10
leave for the VISIT Ga the day previous
90 his departure, while passing along the
street, he came suddenly upon Adelinc Bur
ton. The lady started, parsed slightly and
then went hurredly on. l!eriace was thin
and wore a look OF suffering and resignation
She tarned very pale when she saw who IT
was.
Wheeler was deeply agiatcI by this ap.
partition. He did not leave the city on the
next day as he had Intended. 1t was i'm.
possible for him 70 60 now, until he had OBJ
tanned an interview with Alelinc, who had
not, he now learned, given her vows to AZ
other. After laying awake nearly al! night
thinking over the best course to pursue, he
finally determined to see her uncle and
plainly ask the reason why Adeline had,
years before, broken the engagement into
which she had entered. Upon this resoln.
ito" he acted. The uncle received him with
chilling Formally. But. not rcpul>cd by
this, Wheeler came at once TO the object Of
his visit.
'Ten years ago, sir said he calmly, your
niece, to whom ! was engaged in marriage.
broke her contract with me, and without
assigning any reason. | ask ed none, and to
this day have remined ignorant n her mo-
tve'. Bat now feel a wish 10 know them.
NllIyou do me the justice TO give me the
information seek =
Certainly replied the uncle, IF Won de-
sire TO know what influenced Adeline. en-
see no reason why yea should not be graft
fed
Speak then, If you please, ar prepared
TO hear
'You remember Gardner, that tellsrir the
------BankP
A deep crimson instantly covered the lace
OF Wheeler, and his eyes remained fo snme
moments cast upon the floor. When he
looked IN his coanteuance was comnospd.
Yes lie replied, Il remember Gardner.
well. for have a cause. understand il
all, now. Aleline was told that nnirsty
withheld from the bank FIVE hundred Ini
lars received in mistaken
'Yes.'
Sand for this she rejected me2
sShe did, and must say with very good
cause
Perhaps so. Yet, NAV not man reneut
wrong actf'
'Yes. Bat we will judge of the quality
Of his repentance by his efforts TO repair the
injury he has wrought
True. And now will you do me the ms.
tice to see Gardiner, and ask him if he did
not, more than ten wears ago, receive f-om