Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1858-05-12

I 'S''S~'' y - 'N-N i ~
termined 10 accept one.
Arthur Meriier was a man worthy of
my esteem-worihy cf my love, only
lha, L had no love TO give. He was
sltisfed when l told him all, and 1
promised to become his wife.
But as soon rs 1 had promised, the
old wretched, waiting feeling came back.
Il seemed as if Vaguely expected some
hing 10 interpo5e and prevent the con-
sumatinn Of that unholy engagement
And as the day approach l grew more
and more wretchcd, till finally on a
sudden impulse, I determined 10 60 down
10 my fathers to look once more upon
the old familiar scenes, the village
church aid the Holme Place, before l
should have promised away my freedom,
miserable as it made me, thinking Of
past love.
went, and the first sound that greet
ed me as 1 entered the village was the
tolling of the bell, and The carriaga drew
up beside the road as a long funeral pro-
cession passed. In the first carriage sat
Leander Holme, very pale, but cllm.-
II was his wife--she whom 1 had always
thought as occupying my place-that they
were conveying to the tomb.
l remained at my fathers for many
days, not that hoped or wished to see
Leander Holmc, but because l literally
lacked the strength and energy for my
homeward journey. My sole thought
was that now Leanderis free. II he still
lived me he might at some future time
seek me. but l was about 10 place bar
rier between US, and TO become the viii,
Of one whom now knew more than ever,
l could not love.
At last. as The day came that was to
start on my return, L felt that had gone
too far to reiract, and mus; fulfil The prom
ise l had Voluntarily made to an hon
orable man. I little knew the freedom
that l would have given life itself 10 Sc
cure, was already mine.
l had scarcely reached my home when
a messenger arrived 10 beg me, in the
name of Arthur Meridea, 10 20 at once
TO his house. He had been thrown from
his horse that afternoon and fatally in.
jured. He was still living and sensi
ble and most anxious TO see me once
more. God only knows how l reproach-
ell myself for the first intense feeling of
gladness that flooded my soul as l heard
these terrible tidings.
1 stood beside him to the last, deter
mined as penance for my unfeeling JOY
to spare myself not one Of his painful
though short suiferings. In few hours,
on the very morning that was TO have
dawned upon our wedding, he breathed
lis last. His death sci me free.
Yes. was free, but my freedom did
not bring me any hope. Leander had
gone to Europe Immediately on the death
of his wife Holme Place was closed.
and it was said the farm was getting in-
to a ruinous condition as years passed on
and its master did not return. He held
no correspondence with any one at home,
except in the briefest business letters.
So, more years passed away. I
busted myself in the education of my
sister and introducing her into society,
as she grew up a beautiful and brilliant !
girl, while l ceased to feel sensitive to the
title of "old maid" and took my place
pIacidly among the elders, and brushed /
my sill luxuriant hair, now thickly |
streaked with gray, beneath tasteful
cap.
had become almost satisfied with my |
lot, and had ceased to think very fre-
quenIly of Leauder HoIme, when l was
startled out of my usual placidity by /
hearing that he had returned TO his home.
The letter that brought these tidings
stated further that he was making many |
and improvements in the old |
place, and that it wac conjectured that
he was again about to bring bride /
hither.
THAT old mani" exclaimed nv pret
ty sister, as she read this item; isis
ter Katharine can you conceive of man
at his age?
1 smiled. and reminded the blooming
little beauty that tie man she oalled old
could not be over forty i've, although it
seemed great age TO her. 1 sighed
little as 1 glanced at the mirror, and saw
my faded features as reflected from its
surface.
Soon after, my sister married 1
gave her 10 the man she had chosen,
well pleased, for 1 felt that he was
worthy ofmy treasure. But ii was with
a very lonely, saddened heart, that after
the wedding breakfast was over, and the
newly welded pair and all the guests
departed, 1 went TO shut myself into my
own room.
wept little, for was growing old
and was all alone, and The future SEEM
ed very dark aad drear 10 me as l
thought what might have been, had L
been loyal 10 my hearts allegiance.
Ny maid knocked at my door. y !
gentlemen was in the parlor and wished |
to see me.