Plymouth weekly banner. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1856, 1856-05-01
From Chambers Journal.
THE HEARTS TRIAL,
A Girls Dilemma.

day in my life. will keep il by record.
ing the events that led 10 my presen, po-
sition; let not those stay to read whose
hearts have grown too old TO relish love
story.
At eighteen. was one Of the most
,hough,less Of human beings. My wild
owed father, rich London me Merchant, had
humored every whim from infancy. and
asked nothing Of me in return but light
hesrtedness SIS and affection. No one could
have known less than of the shadows and
SORROWS oflife. or have been more child
ishly occupied in the present. II was
the night of my first ball. to which | wns
to be introduced under the most fntier.
ing auspices. | was half wild with ex.
citcment. and the moment my toilet was
completed. l flew down stairs TO show
myself to m, father. who was not going
with me. as et frs: arranged, being pre-
vented. he said. by sudden and insur-
able engagements. Well remem
Der how impatieDtly l burst open the din
ingroom door. and with what bound Of
ela,ion ! sprsng toward the spo, where
be stood. spreading out my beautiful
dress. and making before him q sweeping
courtesy. seem TO hear now the soft
Il L r. III
tina, burned on my cheeks. and the quick
,hrobbings OF my happy heart. had no.
at frs, noticed. in my eagerness, that the
table was covered with papers, and that
my father was not alone. Mr.. Lacy, bar
rister.at law. his friend and mine-for
had known him from my cradle--sai op.
posi;e 10 him. and second glance show
cd me how grove and ANXIOUS were the
faces of both.
'Whs, is tho mat;er2' asked. laying
my hand caressingly on my ia ther' shoul-
der.
He looked q, me fondly. ill saw the
tears brim his eyes.
My darling!' he said. in an abrup. pas
sionate way. I'VE will not tell her.
Lacy7 II would be cruel. Let her have
at least few more happy hours; she need
not know TO night. How will she bear
i,?'
Mr.. Lacy looked increasingly grave. !
had become very grave too; my childish
excitement had gwen place to q sudden u
AMI almost womanly seriousness.
Ill is no use hiding anything from mo.
| said. trying TO smile. though trembled
from head to foot in vague fore boding.
Il could not 60 to the boil now; tell me
wha. has happened
The expression of my fathers face
deepened to anguish; he put his hands be.
fore it, as If the sight of me was too pain
ful to bear. turned to Mr.. Lacy.
DO you tell mer | implored.
Mr.. Lacy fixed upon me :he fine
searching eyes whose repioof had been
the sorest penalty Of my life hitherto. and
kept up the scrutiny till I could bear il
no longer. earnes, nnG kindly as il was
knel, on a cushion before him, and lean
| ing my arms on his knees 10 a favorite
attitude. returned his gaze with q steady
though fearful one.
Try me- said; perhaps am more
than the giddy child you think me. Be-
sides, it cannot be so drsadful-you are
both alive and well!' .a.ss
A peculiar expression passed over Mr..
Lacy's face. He seemed hesita,ing
whethe 10 draw me into his arms. or to
push me from him; he did neither. but
rose up suddenly, putting me gently back,
and took few turns through the room.
Halford.' he said presently, and in agi-
taied tones. Once more renew my offer.
| Of what uso is wealth like mine to o
lonely man? With the help can give.
you may keep your credit. and breas! the
storm. You shrink from an obliga tion
there is chance of your never being able
to conceal? Well. ! will change places
with you. Give me in return-that is,
if can win her conseni--your daughter
as my wife!'
My father looked up with literal gasp
of astonishment. Mr.. Lacy went on
without needing him.
'Iam fool. no doubt he said; blu,
the time has long gone by when Mildred
was child to me. For the last two
years. / have felt from the depths Of my
heart that she was woman; have Tough,
against the insane wish to win her for my
wife; my age, my past resolutions with
her. seemed to make it crime. Now
have spoken; God knows. as much to
save you from the disgrace you are so OBJ
stinstely bent on meeting. and her from
poverty that would crush her youth. si
TO satisfy my own feelings. What she il
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