Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-03-01

Who can describe the strange feelings
which agitated the heart of the proud
girl, as she read the following:
"To Miss ELLEN BoRDoN:- .r
. ....... .. "'Parion. lady. the
liberty | take in thus addressing youl-
Some time since | passed through the
beautiful village of N where, as
doubtless YOU are aware, am now erect
ing country mansion, for summer resi-
dence-and seeing you, was struck with
your beauty, and by enquiry. learned
that you were yet single! wish to
know if your hand is engaged-for such
was the rumor at the time; and if not.
whether my attentions would prove agree
able TO you ard yours! Ny Servant will
await your answer. On the Fourth OF
July, if nothing unforeseen occurs to
prevent, shall be in the village of n,
and expect TO give an entertainment in
the evening, at my residence, where |
shall be pleased to be honored with your
company. Once more asking pardon
for my boldness in thus address, ng you,
| subscribe myself,
.-... 6 Your o5edient servant, ...
| "'EARNEsT SUNDERLAND ALvoRD.
".T Miss Ellen Bordoa.'
"As Ellen ran her eyes over these few
lines. she could scarcely believe her sem
ses; nor was she fully assured il was not
joyous dream, from which she too soon
would awake, until she had read and re-
read them again and again. And then it
was the artist should have seen her who
would have had living model of proud
and beautiful woman. Her cheek flush
ed-her eye hashed--her form expand
ed, aud she strobe to and fro across the
room, with all the proud majesty of an
empress of one half of the world All
the deep longings Of her heart were on
The eve of being accomplished; and with
Il thousand fantastic visions whirling
through her brain, one rose prominent
above all others, and that was, the beau
| tlful Ellen, the wife Of Alvord, one of
the richest most accomplished and bril-
liant ladies of the land; and suddenly
hating, she seated herself at the table,
and wrote the following note:
So Mr.. Alvord: .t @
r a@a Dear Sir: feel myself
most highly fattered by the reception Of
your beautiful note, wherein you ask if
my hand and heart are engaged. In re-
ply, dear sir, assure you that they are
not; and, furthermore, shall consider my
self highly honorcd by receiving visit
! from one go distinguished as Yourself.
With many thanks for your kind invita-
ton TO your entertainment on the Fourth,
and assuring you that shall count the
days till then, with feelings of deepest
/ respect subscribe myself. Yours,
ELLEN BoRDoN.
''.To Earnest Sunderland Alvord, ESQ.,
"After reading the foregoing some two
or three times, Ellen folded and super
scrihed it with neat care, and gave it to
the servant who, with a graceful bow,
withdrew while Ellen retired to ruminate
on her good fortune.
..On the evening of the same day,
Charles Martin called on Ellen, and
found his reception colder than ever; in
fact she would hardly look at him.
"sWhy is it Ellen,' said he that you
treat me so coldly?'
".Because Mr.. Martini she answer
ed, bitterly your company is no longer
agreeable to me and | wish our engage
ment broken off,
| Certainly, if you wish it, he replied,
but, what have | done to offend you!'
Beware, Ellen that you do nothing rash
ly! for YOU must bear in mind that have
loved you sincerely, and for yourself
alone!
! II do nothing rashly,' she answered
with emphasis; and | will thank you
hereafter, to call me Miss Borden, unless
my name should be changed
".And is this the girl have loved,
he said sadly, to whom have pledged
my vows, and was pledged in return!
Oh, no, no! there is, there must be some
mistake! Tell me, Ellen-I beg your
pardon, Miss Bordon-what is the cause
of this coldness!'
"Well,' said Ellen with flashing eyes
Mr.. Martin. you are poor, unknown
mechanic and she let her voice fall with
emphasis upon the latter word-'and
Ellen Borden looks for something
higher.
".And Ellen Borden shall look il
vain,' he answered, in deep, heavy
voice, that almost startled her: while his
dark eyes seemed to pierce her'very soul
Ellen | leave you; offered you a hear
as true as ever beat in the breast OF man
! leave you; but do not curse you, TO
woe enough will follow, and in days o
J anguish, and sleepless nights. You des
! pise me, not for myself, but for my avo
lion-and because am poor. Were
r as rich as this young millionaire, who's
: image know fills your thoughts, yo'
would rush 10 my arms. Out upon you
; for an nnprincipled proud woman!-bu
: | will live to see your pride humbled.'
3 "'And | will live, answered Ellen
! with naughty, scornful look, 'to see you
: poor miserable mechanic, glad to kis
e the earth walk upon.
3 Enough cried Martin: Ellen, fare
well!' and he rushed from the house.
: "A few days from the last interview be
1 tween Ellen and Martin, the latter Gale