Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-01-09

= " a under my protection. i shall
ao' So tarn @ 5raht, and not one OF you must
suo"l ,n II without my permission"
'pSpA Zig, he led me away TO an opposite
corner U = the room! There, seeing that, be.
shyress and the annoyances just
I, .meI l was still unable to control my
pass or features, he stood before me speak
;a'Vcalmly aud quietly of some unmportant
ibject. His pleasant voice and quiet man
her soon helped me to control my agitation,
Q and then he sat down beside me. / was
amazed at myself talking gaily with this
stranger, and still more amazed to find myself
happy for several hours of the evening to
which | had looked forward with SO mnch
dread, and which had commenced so inau-
spiciousy.
And when be brought several of the bright
ruddy-looking girls TO speak to me in the
course of the evening, ] found what foolish
shyness had prevented me from learning
before, that they were amiable, warm-hearted
creatures, in spite OF their lack of refinement.
So, on the evening passed pleasantly, aud l
was whole, never afraid TO 60 again, especi-
ally as, when they found was not too proud
to join in their sports, they never attempted
to drag me into any which did not like.
But chief among the pleasant memories Of
that evening was the kindness of Leander
uolme. A pair Of dark eyes haunted my
thoughts for many day, and never forgot
the soothing impression Of his calm voice
and pleasant manner.
Leander Holme was the son Of the only
rich man in the neighborhood. He had been
well educated, and that alone would have
rendered him infinitely superior to those
around him, even if his whining manner
had not been that of perfect gentleman
refined ,.courteous and manly.
oo,.,o 80 go ,,,;Il ,,o,Ior {hot I hncop,o
deeply in love with Leander llolme. His
devotion had never wavered from the first,
and long before the first winter in my fathers
home was passed, had promised to become
his wife. 1t would have been dreory and
miserable winter indeed without his presence
and his love, but with it,--ah, even now that
long years have passed, think Of that, only
recurring to that time, aud never OF the dis
comforts that had, in the fullness Of my hap
piness, ceased to make me miserable.
My father and his wife were all smiles and
approval. But when, toward spring, our en-
| gagement came to the knowledge OF Leanders
father he at once announced his decided dis
appreciation. heard that he asserted that
/ he would never consent that his son should
marry the daughter of lazy disspated man,
and he said that my city rearing was scarcely
a better preparation of the duties OF mistress
! of Uolme Place, than / should have received
at the hands of that brawling, satternly
fathers wife,
Leander was firm, and talked Of The future
and patient waiting. But | felt that l had
been scorned, and my Indignation was un-
BOUNDED. | wrote to my aunt, telling her all
in no measured phrase and begging her to
send for me to live with her once more, ii
possible. Her answer was to come at once,
and | departed, much to the CONSERVATION OF
my luther, and the ill-concea!ed delight OF his
wife, who hated me more than ever since she
heard of Colonel Holmes remark.
left little note for Leander, who was
absent at the time saying that the engage
ment had better end, and releasing him fully
and unconditionaly. ! wrote and sealed the
note without hesitation or falterng, though
! it cost me a severe pang to do so.
| ! did not know until had been settled in
my aunt's home week, and my letters in
package directed in I.ennder's hand, arrived
without line from him, how ! had hoped
/ through all that he would not consent to be
released, but would still cling to me.
But he, too, had his indignation-he was
hurt that | should have arranged for my de-
/ parture without consulting him, and he was
panied at the coldness of my note. SO
! through the faults Of others, aud misunder-
standing of their own two hearts that really
and truly loved were severed. Alas! that
the story had so many counterparts
My aunt's income, by considerable econo-
my, supported US, and enabled us to retain
our place iu the society to which we had been
accustomed. 1t had been more than she an
ticipated when she had sent me home to my
father, or she would never have exposed me
TO the trials have passed
As time passed on | had lovers, rs any
pretty girl will, for, if ! might believe my
mirror and my friends | was not without
attractions, but none of them touched my
heart.
On looking back can see that I was al
ways waiting, waiting with underlined expec-
tation of something that never came. Was
it for Leander that waited2 II it was
never acknowledged it TO myself, but it was
with terrible pang, dumb but very real
sorrow, that served as an excuse for illness,
it was so like it that heard after two or
three years, that be was married.
My step-motber wrote i. to me-this we'd
ding news-dilating maliciously upon the
wealth and beauty of the bride, who had
come from distant city to reside at Holme
Place. Upon the planting and fencing, the
painting and glazing, aud beautitying of the
old house, and upon the loads of beautiful
furniture, which the brides father had sent
to refurnish the old rooms.
| answered very calmly that Leauder
llolme was worthy any lady in the land, and
bade her congratulate him in my name, if she
saw him. hoping thus, believe, to disarm
her suspicious and convince him that | had
forgotten my love for him.
| went more into society after this, and it
was remarked that l was gayer than ] had
formerly been. l was not aware Of it, for
only knew what was striving to forget.
had no other object in life now.
The years seemed very long and weary
Society did not satisfy me, aud | came to be
looked upon as coquette when, one after an
other, ] rejected the suitors whom my gaiety
and brilliancy of manner brought to my feet
| became restlessly unhappy, with craving
for some object for thought and duty that
would not find satisfaction in the life led.
In that time my aunt had a severe illness,
and the new cares which then devolved upon
me were very good for me- From this illness
she never fully recovered, and for two or three
years before death came to relieve her from
suffering, and while was busily occupied in
ministering to her comfort, grew more pa
tient and quiet.
By-andby ! was alone. laid her who had
been all that mother could have been to me
for many years, in the grave, and was left