The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-07-13
IN ADVANCE
N U NJ ER %

excitement Of meeting a stranger and no
one thought of oflaying It to the real cause,
The evening passed away like dream to
me-and when returned TO my hotel,
had determined not to leave New Orleans
until l had gained the heart and hand Of
Alline Forester. A month passed-and
with all the impetuosity of my nature, I
hal declared my love to Alline, and was
now her accepted lover. was happy
Nothing was now wanting to complete the
picture OF bliss that 1 had drawn in my own
mind, for the future.
But it was time for me to return home
and before another week had passed,
must leave New Orlears and my beautiful
Alne behind, and return to the North. I
had endeavored to persuade her to be my
bride Immediately, and return with me |;
but she was firm in her refusal, saying
that she could not live at the North-that
when she welded, her husband must re-
main at the South. So I prepared to re-
turn to my Northern home; and after set
tling up my business, return to the South
and claim the lovely Alline Forester as
my bride.
1t was Christmas eve, and all the beau
ty and chivalry of New Orleans were as
seiubled at the noble mansion Of the Gov
ernor Of Louisiana, for a splendid levee-
L with my peerless Alline leaning upon my
arm, entered tho crowded saloon at rath-
er late hour but as we entered, the
busy hum of voices for moment ceased,
and was again resumed in gay compli-
ments to Aline and myself. was proud
OF my charming partner, and well might
| be.
An hour passed. had danced several
times with Alline, and then according to
custom, had given up her hand to others
of her friends, while chose another part
ner from among the gay group of beauti-
sui bellies. The dance was finished, and
bad led my partner to a scat; and as Ifelt
heated and excited, approacneu onv VI
the large windows that had been thrown
open, and sat down beside il. The heavy
folds of the curtain concealed me from
view, and few moments after had seat
ed myself, was aroused from my reverie
by the sound Of voices, in low but earnest
conversation. started-Iturned pale as
| recognized one Of them to be that Of
my affianced bride-Alline Forester. I
seer ed chained to the spot could not
but listen TO every word.
"Alline," said her companion, &" dearest
All ne, you know love you imadly-de-
votedly; and why is it you are continually
torturing me by allowing the world to be-
lieve you are engaged to that northern fell
low Alline, you will kill me
| NNy dam I'll por1 ra,l;aJ ll,oa -
her softest and most loving tones, "you are
altogether too jealous--you know do not
love Philip Varney. / am only flirting
with him for my own amusement, and to
pass away the dull monotony Of this city
life. But he is going North in a day or
two, and after he is gone, will send him
a letter, telling him that what has passed
between us must all be forgotten, as was
only in fun" ~
PASSED between you !" exclaimed the
young man "oh, Alline, it cannotb be pos
sible that you have told him you love himr'
"Why, yes. l. said something of that
Sort" said Alline, with light laugh.
"Oh, Alline, Alline "cried the young
man, in tone Of the deepest anguish -
"you are beartless coquette. Aud
though ! love you better than love my
life, I cannot but own that you are almost
demon in human shape.
81 waited to hear no more. With cheeks
pale as ashes, fed from the saloon, and
flew rather than walked, to my DO srdiDg-
place. Then, after packing everything in
readiness 10 start for home on the NOR
row, sat down at my desk and penned
long letter to Alline Forester. Itoiti
her that had overheard that conversa-
ton, and that knew her real character.
/ told her that considered all our solemn,
vows to be henceforth void---for she had
already broken them. told her that
though loved her as deeply as ever, I
should never see her again, and bade her
farewell forever.
With heart now dead to all earthly
love and happiness, returned a. my
northern home. Ihad really IoUed Alline
Forrester-and now that she had proved
herself unworthy, /. felt that l. could never
love again. Ihad believed her TO be ev-
erything that was pure and lovely---and
now that knew she was one of the most
hcartless Of coquettes, l gave mp all hope
Of ever finding one who would be what i
wished my wife TO be---a true, loving wo-
man, who would ever be kind and gen-
tie friend--a sharer Of my joys, and = so-
lacer Of ny woesl W
I was now twenty -five-- wealthy. hand-
some and talented; asd met a few ma.
neuyering mothers andambitious daugh-
tiers, sought TO draw me into fhe bonds Of
m atrimony. But Il was now firmly deci-
ded that Il ever 1 maTFied at ell, / never.
would wed beautiful woman. I now
felt.eongibced In my own mind, that q
beautiful girl rarely, II ever possessed .
beautiful mind. Without this, 1 now saw
there conld be no true beauty. haA
wotshipped beauty, but L had prevcd 70,
be only outward charms Nif1o6t Any ace
ccfppanying LONELINESS Of the mind o.
heart. Oh, Il goman WpuId op'9 al, rate
that best Of ehss1ns-+a 5ssaf'f1l sek<
how much fress<f and bow mach b>t<ef
would Be fhcir iti,nesce.
fconc1ep>p on roun1n r&ox