The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-12-27
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THE BROKEN HEART.
A TRUE STORY
nr C. EDWARDS LESTER.
[Conclu ded.l

the classic shores of the Mediterranean
among the tombs of old empires anc
their CAV monuments, to contemplate
the ruins of beautiful Greece. knew
that could not forget Frances, and thi
I did not wish to dol only wanted t.
forget the dark and dreary disappoint
ment-and worshipped her memory. as
il rose like some classic form of an
tiouity. Time and distance had now
begun to mellow the rugged outline O.
those dark days. But there were mo
nents when the past with all its pain
full scenes rushed back SO visibly upon
nv memory that they were no longer
clothed in that softened light which
at other times softened their remem
brance-they stood before me in the
stern light of reality. | had received
letters from home in the meantime, yet
they were written soon after | left
America, and they communicated nc
intelligence of Frances. For several
weeks an impression which could moi
shake off had filled my mind with fear
that some dreadful evil had befallen
her. For my friends I felt no solicit
tude, but the image of that lovely girl
in distress haunted my vision day and
night.
al went to Venice, and soon after my
arrival there called upon an American
gentleman to whom my letters were to
Be directed, and found small packet
from America. broke the seal with
a trembling hand. for dreaded the re-
suit. Besides letter from my parents
I found three from my sister. opened
the first, which was written only three
months after my departure, and glanced
through it till came to the postscript
1t stated that she had not seen Frances.
but had alluded to my affections in one
of her letters, and the ouly reply she
received was: AS you love me, Mary,
do not mention that subject again-you
will not, know, willingly inf1ict misery
upon me-
aI broke the seal of the second,
which was dated few weeks later
The first paragraph ran thus
tsDear Edaoard-At the request of
Frances, few days ago came to visit
her. and have been unwilling TO leave
her to return home. II is with strange
feelings | write to YOU now. | know
not whether the present letter will thrill
your heart with joy or turn your brain
to madness. Dear Brother, | would
give the world if you had never gone
to Europe. / will not deceive you. 1t
is my duty 10 tell you much of your
strange fortune that you do not know.
Since you left this quiet village, where
we passed those days which TO you
were bright as heaven. until few days
ago, Frances has been declining in
health and suffering the deepest gloom.
You would hardly recognise in her
faded countenance and slender form
the same bright, joyous being you once
saw here The night after my arrival,
we slept together; when entered our
lodging | found her sitting by the win
dow, alone. weeping-I sat down by
her, and took her hand, and said kindly,
Z Frances, let me know what grieves
you; perhaps / can make yon happy
Oh! no, Mary she answered, you
never can heal my heart-'tis broken,
aud | shall go down to the grave in the
of life, and no one will know
why | de- oh! Frances, don't say
se,' replied. / know now the cause
Of all your misery. Is il not my bro
ther q She fell upon my bosom, and
said: tOh! yes-bHt pray do not tell
It TO the world Let me know that
have your sympathy and / will die.'-I
'Oh, Frances why do you say 500 Ed
ward loves you better than his own
soulp Mary, you are deceived-it is
D dream have indulged too long, and
have awoke from it to dien Dear |
I answered, let me convince
ron, for know it is true. Can it be-
Oh! can ii be, Mary she said; as the
Of her tears opened again, and |
q faint smile played around her face
No! mop But hear me, love. You |
never saw Edward after you parted the |
evening before we left here last sum
mer, bnt you received his letters.'-
Received his lettersi Oh, no!-he
aever wrote to me- Never wrote to
you! Oh! what can this mean? The |
night before Edward sailed for Europe,
be came into my room and told me the |
whole history of his love. From the
first evening he saw you till that mo-
ment he loved you deeply, tenderly,
passionately- Soon after You parted,
as awrote to yon and told you all, and
,ent that letter by the hand of Mr.. -,
Who promised to deliver it Immediately |
o 1you.' tohn she exclaimed, .Isee
/ all, and that cruel man has sacrificed
ne to revenge, because | could not
ove him. and she fell senseless into
nv arms. In few moments she re-
Geered, but she was almost frantic
With grief Z But tell it all to me now,
dary-let me know the worst | con-
inued: Edward waited long time
oF an answer and received none; but
q gwfoae to yeu again and sent it by
0st. I'm . short time he received yoar
eply.' t0h, heavens! No, | never
,Eoiete him and that letter was forged
That letter I saw, dear girl and it
semed Ike your writing; but | could
ot believe Ii expressed the real senti-
rents OF your heart. It told him to !
ope no longer, for you never could
lse him. Edward was overwhelmed :