The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1854-06-28

heart is fixed upon my marrying one
as wealthy as himself"
6" In other words, upon your marry.
ing Mr.. Boswell !" Flora was silent.
And, knowing this, you second his
attentions, as you did last night" said
Charles, gravely; and, if true to me,
would wiIfully blight the happiness OF
another Oh, Flora, you almost
madden me !''
Flora clapped her hands, and laugh.
cd heartily.
"Oh, what an actor you would
makc-playing the jealoos lover to
such perfection. I blight Mr.. Bos-
wells happiness No, no, Charles
His happiness can only be blighted by
setting fire to his houses, devastating
his farms, depreciating his stock You
are indeed paying me compliment,
in supposing | could work such won.
der as that"
Dear Flora, let US he serious. -
And Charles took her hand, and, with
his whole soul bcaming in his hand
some face, said, Listen to me, my
beloved. For the four months that
have passed since we plighted our fuith,
have yielded implicitly to your will.
With all my reverence for truth, |
have been acting taIsc!y-with all my
adherence of deceit, have stopped to
meanness and subterfuge; and what
is worse even than that, have seen you
debasc your noble nature by the same
DISCUSSES. And to what cnd9 The
iFuiii must be told at iusi-years must
pass away before | can hope for wealth.
Are we to go plunging deeper and
deeper into the tortuous paths we arc
now treading-the great business of
our liv-s being 10 conceal the feelings
in which we glory. and to deceive
those we are most bound to honor? !
can scarcely look your parents in the
face without feeling Of con.ciou,
guilt, knowing rs do that have stoi
81 their daughters heart, while they
believe it free and unfettered. can
endure this state no longer. and this
day l'have determined | Mill tell your
father all y
And without my conscnt?" said
Flora. her face flushing with indigna
ton.
Nay, Dearest, hope with your
free consent aud cooperation. Your
father loves you-and if you tell him,
as you have SO often told me, Flora,
that your whole heart is mine he can
not be SO cruel rs to scpcratc us"
But he can-he WILL
"What. then, is to be done? Dis.
grace ourselves by an clopemcnt, with.
out even an effort to gain your fathers
favorl Commence our welded life by
trampling on our highest dnties? No,
Flora-be that far from either of us
| have acted weakly enough in this
mattcr-hut wickedly will not act !"
T'ust all to time and secrecy !"
said Flora.
Better trust all to time and truth"
replied her lover. Even supposing
your father to frown at first, he might
gradually be won over to look upon
my suit with favor. cannot think
so unworthily either Of him or myself
as to suppose that impossible"
assure you again it is impossible,
and insist upon your silence"
Insist, Flora after have told
you the misery it inflicts upon meg"
Yes, insist on it! said Flora, an.
grily, "and did you love me half as
much as you say, you would bear much
more for my sake! | am a better
Judge in this case than you can be, and
no power on earth will induce me to
yield my wishes TO such ridiculous
scruples."
Floral! exclaimed her lover, in
tone that might have softcncd heart
less imperi"us than her own ':my alb.
horrence Of falsehood and deceit q ri.
dicnlous scruple ? Oh, ho.2 have
mistaken you !"
owe have each mistaken the other
it appears" said the lady. haughtily !;
land the sooner our mistakes are rec.
tilted, the better for III both am
no weak girl, to be led wherever hot.
headed, domineering man chooses to
take me and your affection is worth
but little, if you are willing to sacrifice
nothing to it"
"Oh, FloIa! cannot sacrifice truth
and honor, even for you! Blinded by
my mad, my adolitrous passion for
you, | have suffered it to lead me"
May" interrupted Flora, now
highly irritated, "do not mock me with
your professions Of passion Sincere
affection is proved by deeds-not by
words. Say rather, 4 love you, but
love my own way better Or, per-
haps, you love, still better than oil, the
rich portion my father will bestow on
his obedient daughter; and would
scarce be content to, marry me without
it! 1t is we'll understand you at las,!"
And tho proud beauty burst into n
flood Of angry tears.
DO you really mean what you say,
Flora 2" said her lover, pale with agi,
tation. "IIas it indeed come to this I?
Do Won really doubt nv affections