Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-06-10
q Qbril(ino 9tory.
THE FATAL CoMCEALMENT.

SOME years after commenced practice
but the precise date shall, for obvious rea.
sons, avoid meutoning-I had friend at
whose house was a constant visitor. He
had a wife who was the magnet that drew
me there. She was beautiful, but | shall
not describe her. She was more than beau
tiful-shc was captivating. Her presence
was to me like the intoxcation of opium. |
was only happy when under its influence !;
and vet, after every indulgence in the fatal
pleasure, sank into the deepest dcspondcn-
cy. In my own Justification | must say, that
never, in word or look, betrayed my feel
ings, though had some reason to suspect
that they were recriprocated, for, while in
my company she was gay, brilliant, and
witty; yet, as learned from others, at times
she was often sad and melancholy. Pow
erful-most powerful, was the temptation to
make disclosure of my heart but resisted
it. That | had the firmness to do so, has
been for years my only consolation.
One morning | sat alone in my chamber.
Nv clerk was absent. A gentle knock was
lust audible at the outer door. | shouted,
"Come in" in no very amiable humor, for
was iuduIging in Il delicious revcrie upon
the subject Of the lady of my heart and the
presence Of an ordinary mortal was hateful.
The door opened, and Mrs. entered.
do not know exactly what did; but it
seemed to be long time before | had the
power to rise and welcome her, while she
stood there with a ti,nid blush upon her face
and the glorious smile on her lips which
made me feel that it would be too great a
happiness to die for.
g don't wonder you are surprised to see
me here" she began with a provoking little
laugh; "but is your astonishment really too
great to allow you to say How do you do!'
"Perhaps your surprise will be increased,
she continued, "whcn inform you that
have come upon business
| muttered out something about not being
so abmitious as to hope she would visit me
for any other motive. She took no notice
of what said, but perceived that her face
turned deadly pale, and that her hand trcm
bled as she placed before me bundle o
papers.
"You will see by these" she said in low
hurried voice, that "some property was lief
to me by my uncle, and by my grandfather
but so strictly settled that even | can toucl
nothing but the interest. Now, my husbane
is in want Of a large sum of money at thi:
moment, and | wish to examine the affa
well, and see whether by the twisting OF tht
law, can place part of my capital at hi:
disposal. Internationally | have done hin
great wrong" she added, in tone so low
that no ears less jealous than mine coule
have caught the meaning; "and poor az
this reparation is, it is all that | can make
and must do it if possible
pretended to study the papers before me
but the light danced and mingled; and il, by
great effort, forced my eyes to distisn
guish word, it conveyed not the slightes
meaning to my whirling brain. Every dror
of blood in my body seemed embued with
separate consciousness, and to be tingline
and rushing to the side next to her, whose
presence within a short distance Of me, was
the only thing of which had distinct per.