The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-09-25
FLIR A ION.
4 STORY WITH a MORAL.

STORY WITH 4 MORAL.
"The world would be hardly worth liz
inc in if it were not for tiirtation," ey
claimed the gay and thoughtless lsabe
Lee, as she laughingly entered her aunt'
room.
Il hope YOU are not serious" she said
There's nothing like Irritation" crict
the merry Isabel. "But YOU look re
proachful-angry."
"Oh, ! am not angry" replied Mrs
Beriord, with melancholy smile.
"But YOU are displcascd."
"Your words awaken rccollcction'
which cause me to feel sad, Isabel; that
all. Sit down here by my side, and yot
shall hear story of one OF my tlirtations
which may change your mind.'
Isabel sat down, looking thoughtful
and her aunt continued:
"Whc1 was young, like YOU, dcal
child, was quite as Young and thought
less Us yourself was called a coquette
and. shame to confess it,gloriiicd in thc
name. until the occurrence OF the painful
event am about TO relate.
"Half dozen times year used Il
visit C. and spend week or two il
the pleasant society in that place. Their
| frequently met pale, handsome, scnsi
tive Young man, named Gilbornc, who
paid me very hattering attentions, making
me the theme of several poetic ciiusions
and with whose partality was very wei
pleased"
Il was warned by many wcl-mcanine
friends against encouraging the addrcsse'
of so impulsivc person as Gilbornc, who
they said, was more serious than !, anC
who might end by falling more deeply il
love with me than expected or desired
| laughed at the idea, and finding the at
tcntions of the young poet still agrccabl,
| continued to receive them until 1t was
too late"
TOO late. How so aunt y
"Whv, TO my astonishmcnt, he one day
made a passionate declaration of love anC
offered me his hand"
And YOU did not love him."
NO, child, / was merely pleased will
him. But even then | did not suppose
that his love was more than the result o
sudden impulse, which would pass away
with nv visit to C. SO respect
fully declined his offer, laughed at the
idea of marrying at that age, and begged
him to dismiss the subject from his mind
On the following day left C, and
returned home.
Letters and poetry followed me
breathing the most passionate devotion
and burning with the cloqucncc OF love
They bore no name, but knew they
were from Henry Gilbonc. was be
ginning to be very much annoyed.
took counsel with nv friends, and rcsolv'
cd to send all future cpistles back to him
unopened. returned two letters in thi,
manner, and received no more but three
or four weeks after | received ncwspa
per, in which there was sonnet address
cd to me under fictitious name, ant
signed with his initials. He had discoy
cred new mode of reaching me will
his passionate ctfusions; and from tha
time a sonnet or song, signed Il
c. came to me from the C Ga
,otta nc,rly cycry week
At this time Mr.. Bcriord was paying
me his addresses. lie was one of natures
nobemcn-frank, generous, firm in wha
he considered right, and gentleman il
his manners. Having learned y lessor
from the unhappy termination of my las
Irritation, | received Mr.. Bcrford's attcn
tions in different manner from what
had been accustomed TO do, and in a shor
time we were married.
The ceremony took place in Church
loved Mr.. Bcrford. Gilbornc was n
that moment quite forgotten, and wa
perfectly happy. had not n thought t.
disturb the peace OF NV mind-thc calm
reposc OF my heart, which ! had so vii
lingly, gladly given away-nntil, as w
were passing from the church, my eye
fell upon u wild, haggard figure, s.andin.
near the door.
1T was Gilbornc. His face was dread
fully pale. his lips ashy. his eyes glcamc,
with an unnatural brightness, and HI
trcmblcd in every limb. | started, utter
ed a suppressed cry, and shuddcring, cluns
to nv husbands arm. 4 pang wen
through my hcart-a pang of remon'
aud dread which shall never forget.
"What's the matter." Edward asked
| could not reply, bu, he saw my eye fix
cd upon the haggard object in the door
way, and he knew why | shuddercd, for
had told him something Of my unfortu
nate Irritation.
as that Gilbornci' he asked.
"Yes," | murmured. sir 40 =
BY this time all eyes Were fixed upol
the unhappy man. 1t was not his pal'
face and wild eve alone that attracted at
tention, his dress was disarangcd; hi
long, dark hair fell in disorlcred lock-
about his checks, and his garments wer'
covered with the dust OF travel. Blu
while all eyes were fixed on him, his wer'
fixed on me alone; and in my alarm ant
confusion felt the blood at tirst forsak'
nv cheeks, then burn them like fire.
Gilbornc fell back rs we approached tn,