True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-06-06
and she repeated the poetfy.

"He sent those lines to me-" said Hen.
rietta. "I have them at home now"
Mamie began to cry.
~ am sure he loves me better than any
one else in the world; he has told me 50
hundred times He did say once tha.
if I did not marry him, and he survived
it, he might be induced to marry some one
else from interest or necessity, but that
his affections would be forever blghted."
"But," said Henrietta. she has been
addressing me for three years, lOng..before
he saw you. I have refused him several
times, for my friends did not like him at
all, and each time he told me the same
thing that he told you, and I confess I be.
lieved him. Iwilltell you something else.
l promised to slip away from the house
this evening, and 60 with him to the same
minister's to which he was to take you, I
presume, and for the same purpose. But
for that yarnish, l should have been Mrs.
Powell by this time and you would have
made a great escape. I think we have
rather cause for delight than sorrow"
But Mamie went on weeping, while
Henrietta flung her ring into the fire.
"Who is this Mr.. Powell?" asked I.
"He is the only son of Judge Powell,
one Of the most highly respected persons
in this part Of the country. His father
died some years ago, and left Harry a
large fortune"
"Ah, have heard Of him." said 1.
"He gambled all his property away the
first year ii came into his possession. Did
he not ?"
"People say so," said Henrietta. "He
denied it, aud I believed it till now. But
now, I confess, I would believe anything
of him."
ut is not true" said Mamie, sobbing.
III think" said I, after meditating
few moments, "that Mr.. Powells matri-
monial affairs are rather speculations than
matters of feeling. You have more wealth
than Mamie, so you would be his first
choice but, as there is danger that if he
waits two Or three weeks, your relations
may find out his intentions and interfere,
he will take the bird in the hand"
"To think that I should be so blind as
TO believe him, and doubt all that my faith.
er and mother told me exclaimed Henri.
eta, in strong indignation against herself
~ think, Pauline, it is shameful in you
and Henrietta to talk in that way about
Mr.. Powell. He has told me myself how
all these stories originated, and there il
not word of truth in any Of them"
"But how do you account for his pro
Tossing so much love for you and Henriett;
at the same time, evidently more desirou'
to win her hand than yours? for he die
not speak particularly to you till I assured
him that Henrietta would be confined Il
her room for some time, and that her moth
er was coming to nurse her."
"He thought I looked coldly on him, HI
said," answered Mamie.
"Do you really believe that he love-
your" asked Henrietta, out Of patienc,
with her weakness.
"I know it," said Mamie, and her foo
gave emphasis to her words. Her tempe,
naturally gentle and submissive, was evi
IDENTIFY throwing off all control. We salt
nothing more for aome time. At las
Henrietta rose up, and turning to tn
weeping girl said firmly
"Nannie I am sure if you will only TAX
few days to think you will feel as I do
rejoiced that you are saved from life o
misery with an unprincipled man. Blu
before I go to sleep you must promise m
you will not elope with Mr.. Powell to.mor
row. If you do not, I shall think it m,
duty to arouse Colonel Percy and let hin
know about it."
Mamie resisted, urged Henrietta's prom
Use, entreated secresy, but in vain
At last, seeing that Henrietta was abou
to fulfil her threat, she yielded, and gav'
the promise that was required Of her. Hen
rietta and were both young and unsuspi
cious, or we should not have trusted tc
this "lOver's VOW" When we awoke late
on bright sunny morning, Mamie was
gone. We gave the alarm but it was tcc
late. Three days after she called upon us
as Mrs. Powell, happy and radiant in hel
bridal attire. She had evidently repeated
to her husband some Of the severe remarks
we had made about him, and which Hen.