The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-07-13

ful day for me. was to part from nv
sweet Estelle, and leave her behind me. to
return to my home in distant city. 1t
was Friday eve-early the next mo, ming I
was TO leave in the cars for home. 1t was
a glorious moonlight evening; every tree,
bush aud flower was clad in robe of rich,
silvery light. / sat by the side of nv be,
loved, in an arbor of her fathers garden,
with her little hand clasped in mine, her
head bowed upon my shoulder, while with
my arm around her, l pressed her closely
to my heart.
dearest Estelle," said ], my voice chok-
ed with deep emotion, u must leave you
you will be true to me, will you not.
dear Estellel"
VI am yours till death, dearest Philip"
murmured the young girl, sobbing bitter
ly.
VI drew from my finger beautiful dia-
mond ring, and slipping it upon the finger
of Estelle, I murmured-
"Wear this for my sake, dear Estellc :.
and whenever you feel that you can love
me no longer, send me this as a token that
you are no moro mine. If ever receive
this ring from you, | will release you from
all your VOWS to me-"
10, dear Philip, how can you talk so 2
you know my love will cease only with
my 7" sobbed Estelle, with fresh burst
Of tears.
For half an hour we sat silent, clasped
IN each others arms, sobbing and weeping
in uncomfortable anguish. The moon was
going down in the west, and felt that
the parting hour had come. l strained
her form closer to my bosom and muir
INJURED
Dearest, dearest, Estelle, must leave
you"
20, the agony Of that moment, when
we bade each other q final farewell. We
renewed our pledges of constancy, and
then. with one long embrace, tore my
self from her. I rushed to my room, and
throwing myself upon my bed, sobbed
myself to sleep.
IL returned home, lonely and disconso-
late. My homo had lost its charms for
me; my heart was far away with nv
beautiful Estelle. For year We CORES.
GUIDED regularly. At first thought Es-
teIle's letters were the handsomest and
sweetest l ever saw; but, as nv passion
ato love cooled, began 20 realize that
there was not quite so much intellect in
them as | had at first imagined. Bn.
still | loved her, passionately, madly wild
ly; and looked eagerly forward to the
time when should call the be ,utiful Es-
telle Montgomery my bride.
a year had passed since parted with
Estelle, and was contemplating a visit to
Il, to again meet nv future bride. |
was waiting for letter from Estelle, be-
fore | went, for had written her, inform
ing her Of my intention, and was i,npa-
tent 10 know with what favor she received
it. The letter came in due time, and it
was with happy smile that broke the
seal Of the delicate, snow-white envelope,
and unfolded the snowy sheet. But it
quickly vanished, AS from the unsolded
letter fell my diamond ringi With a
countenance pale as marble. I glanced at
the letter; il ran as follows:
"Mr. Varney-Enclosed you will find
your ring, which you placed upon my fin
ger year since, when we parted, and as
sured me il ever l sent that ring back to
you, you would release me from all my
vows to you. know you well enough to
believe that You will be true to your word.
Respectfully Yours,
EsrELLE MONTGOMERY"
"a month after, saw in the newspa-
pers, the notice Of the marriage ola distin-
guished military officer, with the heartless
Estelle Montgomery! So ended my first
tope.
my disappointment after all, was not
so great rs had expected Il would be-
didn't even break my heart about it.
mingled freely in society, and within
month laughed over my disappointment
a. gsily as any Of my companions. Es-
telle Montgomery and her perfidy were
soon forgotten, and was ready TO fall in
love again.
81 was now nineteen handsomer than
ever, lively, intelligent and fascinating in
manners, and knew well, that in what
ever society mingled should be gene
raj fayorite. Preparations were being
made for splendid ball on New Years
eve, and j, being fond Of pleasure as any
Of them, engaged freely in the enterprise,
and gave both time and money TO Il. I
had determined to 90, and, if Il was pos
sible, l was bound to have a glorious
time.
"New Years eve At length arrived |;
bright, clear, and splendid. ! Ientered the
ballroom at an early hour, with little
blue-eyed fairy leaning con6dirgly ou my
arm, and biushing and smiling most be-
witchingly, as she heard the murmurs Of
applause from oil parts Of the already
crowded room. led her TO seat, and,
as we did not then feel inclined TO dance,
! sat down by her side, aud was in the
midst Of lively chat, when couple en-
tered nj the door, who Instantly claimed
my entire attention. The gentleman WIS
nothing more than ordinary bnt the lady
--it b impossible TO describe her /
thonght tksn, and ! still think that she
was the most beautiful woman I ever met.
-Sbe was dressed IN snow-white satin,
slit,eFing with jewels, while her n1aeniii-
cent raven ringlets were bound back BY q