True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-11-25
STEUBENVILLE, OHIO, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1857,

you myself, if it were not for my engage.
ment with ELISE :"
ooh! if you only could If the en-
gagement might be postponed ! But for
give me / know not what | say. Oh
Grandmother, if | could only hear you
bless me once mote," and The tears flow
ed faster til an ever through her white
fingers.
Whether these were occasioned by her
grandmother's illness, or her fears Of To-
sing Wallace, Laura alone knew, her
grandmother was really ill-this was af-
proven incontroveribly.
"Truly, Miss Mead, l never thought
of that. Oar journey might be delayed
two or three days. 1t would undoubted-
ly disappoint ELISE, but then the circum.
stances would fully excuse the delay"
The look of gratitude that flashed up
through the tears that softened those bril-
liant eyes, settled the matter. II was ar.
ranged they should leave early in the
morning. 1t was too late to see ELISE
that night, and Wallace wrote hasly,
and apologize note, which explained the
cause OF his default.
Three days had passed. They had
been long and weary ones to ELISE Hart,
for dim appreh hension of evil had rested
all This time on the girls glad spirit. She
sung as usual around her home, but the
old spirit was not in the tune, for the
unkno wn hand was writing its prophesy
of sorrow on her heart. She could not
interpret it, and whispered to herself she
must be growing nervous. There was
nothing in Wallace's brief but affection
ate note to occasion her alarm. OF course
courtesy demanded that he should accom-
pany Miss Mead, how mnchsoever this
might conflict with his inclinalions.
ELLIE Ellie / have letter for
you," and little Mary Hart danced into
the room, on the AFTERNOON of that third
day, and laid il in her sisters lap, for the
office was between the child's school and
her home.
The address was in Wallace's chirog-
raphy. His betrOthed opened it eagerly
and read:
"ELLIsE | have request to make o
you-One which will brand me forever il
your opinion, as the worst and basest o
men-no matter cannot seem 10 yol
worse than | feel myself. ELISE will yol
dissolve our engagement E.
yesterday learned that Laura lovet
me, with all the fervor Of her deep, rare
noble nature; loved me. as you, with al
your sweetness and gentleness, neve
could.
"In my weakness or madness, aske'
her 10 be my wife. and. with your consen
our marriage will be consummated befor
the close Of the week | do not ask yo
to forgive me, or to show me any mercy
, even in your thoughts, for deserve none
, only thank God, that you were spare
linking your future with one so utterl
unworthy of you.
II loved you ELISE, love you nov
: perhaps better than l do Laura, althoug
she has shown me that our tastes assim
, late, that our souls will be married
, each other, as yours and mine new
r could be. But this writing is to painful
May God bless you, ELISE prays as
u dare not pray for himself,
t "WALLAcE TREAT"
: An hour later, little Mary, who W
: playing among the bushes, in the fro
o yard, saw ELISE coming toward her, al
d her face was very white. "Mary," s.
r said, in tone which awed the child in
II silent obedience, "here is letter. Ia
it Immediately 10 the office, before
mail Closes" And Mary took it,, a
|. ELISE walked slowly back to the hous
10 and sat down in her old place, covert
It her face with her hands.
r. Soon afterward her mother went II
q the room. She knew nothing of wi
I, had happened, but the girls white ia
ID frightened her. ELISE pointed to the
Ter. and said, calmly, ''I have answer
le it."
t, cannot describe the feeling VIII
ID electrified all Moss Glen, or the BIT
ID words that were heaped on Wallace 0
ID Laura Treat, when the next week bl
t, the tidings of their surreptitions m
ty riage.
ELISE bore herself bravely through
ty attending to all her social and dome'
le duties as usual. Many tears were 81
ID by those who loved her, but there wa
e, quiet dignity, and self possession in
rt manner, which precluded all conversat
IT op this subject.
Her friends rejoiced to see she was
nd little afflicted by her lovers desertion,
- | looked through her deep eyes into
re-. heart, and | knew it was broken.
ID Autumn came, and when the wi
ad began to take up the first notes Of
ful years Doxology, and the crimson |
ira ners to futter among the forest tr
Elise showed FIRST those sympton'
lily disease which had lain all her faith
her family, in the prime Of their days, vi
ere the grave grass Of Moss Glen.
rail The doctor shook his head wher
saw her. There was, in her case,
Do said, hereditary proclivily to consuI
nd, ion, but much suffering only could
INV devotional il 40 early.