The freeman. (Fremont [Ohio]) 1849-1850, 1849-11-17
THAT TR1FLER.
BY ELLEN ASHTON.

Eveline Valliere, and to day hear that you are to
Sophy Greene. Which report is true? p said Ed
gar Thomas to his friend Harry Colbert, and TAX
ing his cigar from his mouth, he suffered the
smoke to curl gracefully to the ceiling, gazing
meantime on the face of his friend.
The fact is,' said Harry, throwing himself back
in his chair, Pm engaged to neither and then he
paused. .--',.,-
But you are very attentive to Sophy, and those
who 90 to Miss Valliere's set say you are devoted
to her. and again the speakers eye was fixed en-
quiringly upon Harry, who looked down, moment
arily disconnected.
well, the truth is,' said he looking up Pm lit
tie in love with both the ladies' so can't make up
my mind to marry either, lest should lose the 9TH
er wish the good qualities of both were combin-
in one, then should soon decide Miss Valliere is
amiable, pretty and rich, and so far is Just what l
want; but she has no wit and would never make a
wife to make one proud of abroad. Sophy is poor,
and without Eveline's fine figure, tho, perhaps,
with prettier, certainly with more intellectual
looking face Then she has fine wit, and is de-
cidedly a girl of talent With a little tact, she
might be made perfectly fascinating creature
don't say which has the most womanly heart-T
suppose eithercould love deeply enough here the
speaker adjusted his collar. when 1 am with
Sophy am in love with her, but when see Eve
line, and think of her fortune, cannot resist pay
L Ldu gone pretty lar Win EV-
cline, before met Miss Greene; but since then
have been more careful, and 1 confess am often
puzzled how to decide. If Eveline had Sophy's
intellect or Sophy had Evelne's fortune, I should
propose tomorrow, but the fates have ordered it
otherwise, and so-poor dog that AMI must
wait events, and trust to my destiny'
Did you ever commit yourself to Miss ValIiere p
asked his companion. after pause.
Not exactly answered Harry, slowly and doubt
fully; to-be-sure did at one time pay her consid-
cradle attention, but then you know pretty girl is
used to such things, and if she has sense, never
thinks you serious until you make love in words.
Now I never did that exactly, and in that am
lucky, though l do confess to sundry sentimental
walks, and sly attentions when the old folks are
away-you understand just enough to keep her
thinking of me sufficiently to insure success if
should at any time make up mind to marry her
l begin to think lately ought to back out, and
am not half so attentive once was; for the fact
is, since met Sophy Greene, have felt that Miss
Valliere is not the girl to suit me as wife, wish
something not to be ashamed of in society of peo-
pie OF talent | wish the gods had given Sophy a
fortune; for-confound it am too poor like most
young physicians, to we'd portionless wife,
Harry Colbert had frankly explained the diff
Guilty IN which he had involved himself but he had
not told the whole truth; for his attention to both
girls had been assiduous and devoted, and of such
character as to leave no doubt on the minds OF
the serlo2s nature of his intentions. Moving in 6if-
erent setts in opposite sections of large city, each
was ignorant of his attentions to her rival and thus
for several months had carried his deception un-
detected. He had already wooed and won Eve
line VallIere though he had never told his love in
words before he met Sophy Greene; from that
hour his heart had been divided and the conflict in
his breast had ragged with increasing force daily
Interests, and perhaps little remaining con-
science, urged him to marry Eveline, while, if he
had consulted only his feelings, he would have we'd
ded Sophy.
But said his friend after an embarrassing silence
OF some minutes, do you not think sometimes that
you may have won the affections of both?
4 never proposed to either replied Harry star
ing at his companion.
But does lady never place her affections on a
gentleman until he proposes in form? Is there not
such thing winning lady by looks and tone,
which, though not explicit in one sense suscep-
tible of but single defnition? asked his friend,
searchingly. ....
'Oh perhaps some girls do lose their hearts thus
but tits only when they know nothing of the world
Gentlemen will be attentive to the ladies, and So
and-so-'
And so sometimes heart will be broken by the
criminal coquetrv of our SEX, Indignantly nerrunt-
ed the other There pause, during which
Harry regarded his friend with surprise At length
he smoke:
Whv, really you look at the subject too WARMLY
but calm your fears; neither Sophy nor Miss Val
liere will break their hearts for me, thank heaven
If either is at all smtten and he complacently puff
ed the smoke SLOWLY from his mouth; she would
never be the worse of it. even if shouldn't marry
her--a mere preference, nothing more, believe
meP
We'll, I hope so,' said his companion, and here
the conversation ceased.
DAYS and weeks passed, and still Harry was torn
by conflicting emotions while inclining towards
the heiress, and another while yielding to the fas
cinnations of her rival Often during this period
his conscience reproached him for his conduct tc
Eveline, and he resolved to forget Sophy: but
again he yielded to the temptation, and neglected
his first love. He could no longer conceal from
himself that Miss Valere loved him, since her very
look and action when in his presence and her des-
pondency at his absence and neglect, revealed it
His heart smote him, when he thought this was his
work; but he asked himself, ought he to wed one
whom he did not love? Should he sacrifice hap
pness with Sophy. who had an intellect TO svmpa-
thize with him, for Indifference with Eveline? He
did not remember, when he thus reasoned with him
SELF that he had at one time thought Miss Vaere
better fitted for wife, by her gentleness and un-
reserved devotion, than one of more brilliant but
less amiable character He forgot too that her af-
fpction had been Welded slowly and only in return
for the most ceasless attention. But like too many
of his sex, he was tired of an object when won.