The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-01-28

long while and when he did make his appear
ancc, found him moody and silent. Months
rasscd, and then learned that he vas often
with Sarah-riding, walking and visiting. 1t
all seemed very strange to me, who had had a
Peep behind the scenes, but thought, Twill
wait patiently till the mystery is solved.
Ihad not to wait long. One morning Mrs.
G. called upon me, with the astonishing infor-
nation that Henry Shepard had proposed to
Sarah, and was accepted
'IIow provoking she continued, after all
myplans for him and Jane. An well there is
great deal of sentiment thrown away in this
world.
a great deal ofhrn,bug' was my pctishrc
ply: for felt greatly annoyed on account Of the
,ews had just heard.
That evening wrote to Jane: not to inform
hcrofthe engagement, but to en- reat her to WIS.,
it tine without delay: plead earnestly, for felt
as if must see her, and the delicate state ofmy
mothers health rendered it impracticable for
me to III to her. Very shortly received this
reply:
..DEAR BEL :-Listeu; I have u little tale
for your ear; one, had resolved should re-
main forever untold. But your letter has
caused me to change the determination. As,
| fancy you have suspected, the day prcccd-
ing the one on which left b, received
an offer of marriage from -. ut is need
less to write the namc.) which was condition
ally accepted. / need not tell vou that !
loved him; or that was very happy that last
evening you and spent together. Soon after
you left | retired to my room to make some
final preparations for my journey. rhcy were
completed, and, for, know not how long.
sat MISUNDERSTANDING ovcrthc past few months.
His love for mc-me-I could not realize that
WAS thus blessed; it seemed more like Il
sweet dream and almost feared To answer
myself. lest it should vanish away. My rcvc-
RE WAS suddenly ended by the entrance 81,
Sarah, who was to COON with me that night.
She drew Il chair beside mc-and putting her
arm around me sail:
"Ah jamie, dear Mamma tells me strange
stories ofyou-tclls me that my sober. thought
full little friend has actually been amusing her
self this winter in Hiriing-and that too, after
the most approved fashion; namely, with
somebody clsc's intended. It's well didn't
come back sooner, as might have spoiled
your enjoyment, for III hot permit pretty lit
tic butterflies, like yourself. to hirt with mn
bctrohcd. But she continued, for could
not spcak-my powers were paralyzcd, s.pcr-
haps you were innocent after all y; may be you
engaged
Ny tongue was loosencd and replied. very
calmly:
''Mrs. G. is quite mistaken in f.ncying that
| have been flirting with Mr.. Shepard but is
it really true that you are engaged ="
''Quitc trlc, and wonder my dear Mamma
had not told you; but it's no wonder either.
for she seldom interests herself in her dauch-
tcr's all.lirS.'
Alas it ,ras dream. and | had awake ned
all too suddenly to find that had vcnturcd all
and lost That the bark containingsmv trca-
surrs had sunk beneath the wave-go,,c down
forever. All! Bel! it is vain to ATTEMPT II
description ofmy feelings, and thou could st
not understand them, unless .hoy hast loved,
and dreamed, and awakened to find thine idol
shattered and thy dream mockcry. Shortly
after reaching home | received letter adj
dressed in hi, well remembered hand writing
turned away, sick at heart. | had neither
the courage to read vt answer, and why should
1 condesccnd thus! Upon the envelope
wrote
"Lci tie farce end here.-JANE."
And wi'h The seal unbrokcn | rc-encloscd and
forwarded by return of mail | have never
heard from him since.
And now Dear Bel, you will not take it I'M
kindly if decline your urgent invitation. |
dare not trust my heart quite yet. have not
the courage to meet him just now. Grant me
little time and will conquer these lingering
rcgrets-banish forever these sickiy fancics."
No sooner had read the lct.cr-than nv
resolution wa; taken. Iwould see Henry and
tell him all-for | was sure there was some
mistake. AS the kind fatcs ordered it, he
come that very evening to play chess. We were
seated at the board and quite deep in the game,
when remarked abruptly:
To-day received a letter from Jane D.
He started slightly, as pronounced the
name, and continued:
She used to he a fayoritc of yours, and as
she mentions you quite frequently in the letter
perhaps you would like to read it! 2"
go No"bc replied and there was slight
curi upon his lip, IL don't think it would be
proper formc to read a correspondence between
two young ladies'"
"But, '1pcrsistcd "thcrc is nothing in Jame's
letter which you need fear to read'
He look at me searchingly, but replied care
lessly.
''lndecd, Miss Bel, Iass,,rcd you I've not tb1
slightestcuriosity, remember I'm not a uon,.'
but am," rcjoined ''and conscqr'ly
determined to hare my opn ,cay, you = read
the letter" and extended it towa,. ''''"
lie took it and began mechs. ny "s II q
were, to read. But very 500, ,a ..N." ', no
his hand trembled; he seeing .o''so, ''''''', l.