Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1856-05-03

whole life has been devoted to its pur-
suit, and his whole heart is fixed upon
my marrying one as wealthy as himself"
=" In other words, upon your marry
ing Mr.. Boswell" Flora was SILENT
And knowing this, you second his at
tentions, as you did last night" said he,
gravely; "and if true to me, would will
fully blight the happiness of another =
Oh, Flora, you almost madden me-"
Flora clapped her hands, and laughed
heartily
"Oh, what an actor you would make
playing the jealous lover to such per-
lection. / blight Mr. Boswell's happi-
ness! No, no, Charles. His happiness
can only be blighted by setting fire to
his houses, devastating his farms, depre-
ciating his stocks. You are indeed pay
ing me compliment, in supposng that
/ can work such wonder as that"
"Dear Flora, let us be serious. -
And Charles took her hand, and, with
his whole soul beaming in his handsome
face, said, "Listen to me, my beloved -
For the four months that have passed
since we plighted our faith, have yield
ed implicitly to your will. With all my
reverence for truth, / have been acting
falsely-with all my adherence of deceit,
| have stopped to meanness and subter-
fuge; and what is worse even than that,
have seen you debase your noble nature
by the same DISCUSSES And to what
end? The truth must be told at last
years must pass before l can hope for
wealth. Are we to go plunging deeper
and deeper into the tortuous paths we
are now treading-the great business of
our lives being to conceal the feelings in
which we glory, and to deceive those we
are most bound to honor? I can scarce
ly look your parents in the face without
feeling of conscious guilt, knowing as
| do that | have stolen their daughters
heart, while they still believe it free and
and unfettered. I can endure this state
no longer, and this day I have deter
mined | will tell your father all"
" And without my consent 2" said
Flora, her face flushing with indigna-
ton
may, dearest, hope with your free
consent and 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 cannot be so
cruel as to separate us"
=" But he can-he will"
"What, then, is to be done? Disgrace
ourselves by an elopement, without even
an effort to gain your fathers favor p
Commence our welded life by trampling
on our highest duties? No, Flora-be
that far from either of us ! have acted
weakly enough in this matter-but wick
eddy | will not act"
Trust all to time and secresy." said
Flora
I" Better trust all to time and truth, y
replied her lover. Given supposing
your father to frowif at first, he might be
gradually won over to look upon my suit
with favor. l cannot think so unworthi-
ly either of him or myself as to suppose
that impossible"
" assure you again it is impossible,
and insist upon your silence"
Insist, Flora after I have told you
the misery it inficts upon me~
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 better Judge
in this case than you can be, and nc
power on earth will induce me to yield
my wishes to such ridiculous scruples"
Flora exclaimed her lover, in a
tone that might have softened heart
less impcrious than her own; ''my alb
horrcnce Of falsehood and deceit a rid
iculous scruple? Oh, how l have mis-
taken you p
"We have each mistaken the other il
appears" said the lady. haughtily; "and
the sooner our mistakes are rectified, the
better for us both. ] am no weak girl,
to be led wherever hot-headed, domi-
neering man chooses to take me; and
your affection is worth but little, if you
are willing to sacrifice nothing to it,"
"Oh, Flora / cannot sacrifice truth
and honor even for you. Blinded by my
mad, my idolatrous passion for you,
have suffered it to lead me"
"Nay," interrupted Flora, now highly
irritated edo not mock me with your
professions Of passion. Sincere affection
is proved by deeds--not by words. Say
rather, j love you, but | love my owr
way better Or, perhaps, you love still
better than all, the rich portion my father
will bestow on his obedient daughter
and would scarce be content to marry
me without it 1t is well / understand
you at last"
And the. proud beauty burst into a
flood of angry tears.
"Do you really mean what you say,
Flora? Z" said her lover, pale with agita-
ton. "Has it indeed come TO this p
Doyou reallydoubtmy Affection proved,
Heaven knows, by the most blind sub
mission that ever man paid to the ca
price Of woman-and now believe me
mercenary|
Flora vouchsafed no reply; but sat
sobbing in thu corner Of the sofa. Charles
rose and stood before her.
|" Unsay those cruel words Do you
believe me the heartless, mereenary be-
ing You describe? Must we indeed part
thus p
Still no answer; and Charles, after a
few more vain entreaties that she would
break her stubborn silence, departed
from the house.
A few moments afterwards Flora ran
up 10 her chamber, where she used such
successful efforts TO remove the traces of