The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1853-07-09
|CONCLUSION.I
CHAPTER ".

TCoNcLUsIoN.
CHAPTER ".
"Stl to the last it ranklcs disease,
Not to be cured when love itself forgets to
please"
Pride which had been fed and stimu
lated by JulIa'S artful batteries, at ength
began to give way to an uneaSiness of
mind, after Frederick's departure; and
Melancholy to cast deeper shade over
the dreamy countenanCr of the eccen-
trio Florence. Alsgivings began to
ppyplcX her in respect to her variance
with the young officer; and she now re-
GREETED the part she had been induced by
.ulia's wiles to act in that disagree cable
drama, which had resulted in such cool
ness between herself and lover. But
hope, that last lingering star in lite's
galaxy still family gIlmmered through
the gloomy prospect OF a mutual under
standing, and arrangement of the exist
ing difficulty, ere Frederick sailed, per-
haps never to return Day after day,
however, past without a word or line
reaching her from him, and dark and
cherries indeed, seemed the cloud that
interviewed between them, as the day
approached on which the ship was to
weigh anchor and shape her course for
the wide ocean. Why had she not met
Frederick ere his departure when a
mutual understanding would have taken
place, doubtless, and this paltry diff
Guilty long since have been forgotten
Why had she listened to Julia's poison
ing words, and followed the counseS of
Pride, rather than the dictates Of her
own heart /! These queries were answel-
ed by vain regrets; and tldings ere long
reached her that the ship, to which
Frederick belonged, had sailed! aye,
and the trackle>s ocean was between
them, and no token left behind him
not even a cold tarewell--nothing to
assure Florence that she would ever
more be remembered.
Months passed-the summer wanad-
autumn came with its fading flowers, Its
yellow wondlauds, and gray stubbIes;
and as time flew by Florence became
more sad and prns!ye. She mingled
little in society, nursed her sorrow in
solitude, and when the winter appr9aca
ed, Julia, who had served to cheer her
lonely hours, now took leave Of her
cousin, who was left alone with melan-
choIy which had already began 10 as
sumo the office of an nsiluous disease,
and sap the health of its victim.
We must pass over a space Of three
years, during which time the young
Lieutenant had been on a cruise TO the
Pacific, and being almost entirely cut
of from home and friends, h. had re-
criyed no news Of Florence, nor could
be desire 10 hear anything more OF her
who had dismissed him, as he conf
IDENTIFY believed, from her presence on so
slight provOcation. After the first
pang of separation was over Frederick
strove to wean his thoughts from dwell
ing on the painful subject, which he
was enabled finally to do, by the new
associations that his avocation constant
ly surrounded him with, the ever chang
ing scenery and routine of duty neces
sarlly consuming the time of naval
officer. After three years voyage,
however, the officers and crew of the
ship 10 which Lieutenant Collins was
attached, found themselves riding at
anchor in the harbor of New York.
Old associations, as Frederick moved
among the thronging multitude Of that
metropolis, began TO revive IN his recol-
lection the almost forgotten scenes of
the past; and Florence suddenly rose
before him as in the days Of yore, with
al! that majesty OF intellect expressed
in her deep soul-Iit eyes and bold fore
bead, which had Won the Young officers
admiration in days lung Syac. But ban
ishing the thought that had risen, as it
were, Involuntary, he FASTENED on
with one Of his ship-mates in pursuit Of
pleasure and old acquantances, deter
mined to devote this respite from the
dangers Of the sea, to that enjoyment in
cident to land and the sweets of home.
The various watering places-as is
customary in the warm season-were
thronged with tie ton Of our large cities,
as well as their ,nvalids, and thlther
Lieutenant Collins wendell his way;
choosing the far-famed Saratoga as the
first object Of his visit, where he might
note the eccentrcties of Fashion, and
mark the progress OF her votarieS during
the lapse Of three years.
On the day Of Frederick's arrival at
tins famous resort of fashion, all was in
connection preparing for grand ball
which was TO come off on the following
night. Collins procured ticket and
attended the tete. He entered the room
at an early hour, anticipating more plea.
sure from behoIding the gathering throng
IN It's gorgeous array, than from par