Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1849-12-12

"Well what is Your decision?''
Carlotti held her breath for an an
swer.
will accept him."
Without replying, Carlotti arose,
and going to drawer, took there
form letter addressed to herself, and
handing it to Florence, said
ssRead that
There was something ominous in the
manner of Carlotti, which caused
| Florence to become agitated. Her
hands tremble as she unfolded the
letter. It bore the date Of the day
previous, as1 read thus
"MY DEAR..CARLorrl: From the
first moment l saw you, felt that
you, were the one destined to make
me happy Or miserable. Your image
has been present to me, sleeping or
waking, ever since. / can turn in
no way that it is not before me. The
oftene. l have met you, the more
have l been charmed by the gen
tleness, the sweetness, the purity
and excellence of your character.
| With you to walk through life by my
side, l feel that my feet would tread
a flowery way; but if heaven have
not this blessing in store for me,
shall be, of all men, most miserable.
My heart is too full to write
more. And have I not said enough?
Love speaks in brief but eloquent
language. Dear young lady, let me
hear from you speedy. shall be
wretched until | know your deci-
sion. Heaven give my suit favor
able issue!
"Yours, devotedly,
"HERMAN LELAND"
A deadly paleness overspread the
countenance Of Florence as the let
ter dropped from her hands: and she
leaned back against her friend to
prevent falling to the floor. But, in
little while, she recovered herself.
"And this to you?" said she, with
a quivering lip, as she gazed ear
nestly into the face of her friend.
eyes, Florence, that to me.''
"Can | trust my own senses? Is
there not some illusion? Let me
look at it again.
And Florence stopped for the let
ter, and fixed her eyes upon it once
more. The nsuage was plain, and
the handwriting she knew too well.
"False-hearted!" she murmured,
in low and mournful voice, cover
ing her face and sobbing.
eyes, Florence,' said her friend,
che is falsehearted. How thankful
am | that you have escaped? Evil
IDENTIFY, in revenge for your prudent
deliberation, he has Ought an alli-
ance with another. Had that other
one accepted his hcartless propose al
he would have met youl favorable
answer to his suit with insult"
For long time, Florence wept on
the bosom of her friend. Then her
feelings grew calmer, and her mind
became clear.
"What an escape!" fell from her
lips, as she raised her head and
turned her still pale face towards
Carlotti. "Thanks, my wiser friend
for yor timely, yet gentle warning.
Your eyes saw deeper than mine"
"Yes-yes; you have made an
escaped" said Carlotti. "With such
a man,your life could only have been
wretched.'
,,Have you answered this letter?''
asked Florence:
"Not yet. But, if you are inclin-
ed to do so, we will, on the same
sheet of paper, and under the same
envelope, each decline the honor Of
an alliance. Such rebuke he de-
serves, and we ought to give it,
And such a rebuke they gave.
A few months later, and Leland led
to the altar young lady reputed to
be an heiress.
A year afterwards, just on the eve
of Florence's marriage to gentle
man in every way worthy to take
her happiness in his keeping, she sat
alone with her fast friend Carlotti
They were conversing Of the bright
future.
"And for all this Joy in store for
me, Carlotti," said Florence, lean
ing towards her friend and laying hel
hand afectionately on her cheek,
81 am indepted to YOU
"To me? How to me, dear?''
asked Carlotti.
"You saved me from an alliance
with Leland. Oh, into what an abyss
Of wretchedness would | have fallen
I heard to-day that, after cruelty
abusing poor Agnes in Charleston,
where they removed, he finally aban-
doned her. Can it be true?'
1T is belive, to true. Agnes came
back to her friends last week bring
ing with her baby. l have not seen
|