Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-03-12
18th GOODNESS of exterior
to the heart; she gave
ID then sat in irresponsible

out to cloud the sky of his life, the
Dung man started up, and standing
fore the embarrassed girl, said, with
ich agitation of tone and manner.
Agnes, how am | to understand this?
Are you only summer friend ?"
Scarcely had the words passed from his
lips ere she started to her feet, and gil
ded without word of answer from the
room.
For the space of nearly ten minutes
Heston walked the floor of the apartment
in which he had been left alone, every
moment expecting the return of his be-
trothed, but she came 10; back. At the
end of this period he left the house in SO
wretched state of mind that for brief
season he meditated self destruction -
But wiser thoughts restored him to bet
ter feelings.
Once more he called to sec the yet en-
hroned idol of his affections, but she re-
used to meet him, and the idol was cast
down and broken into fragments at his
feet. 1t was but gilded clay and not
fine gold as he had vainly believed.
The effect of this double misfortune
was altogether paralysing. Heston fell
into state of gloomy inaction. Friends
urged him to look the world bravely in
the face once more, and begin again,
with stout heart the battle CT life
But he answered.
"No-I have been Knocked once
Let that suffice. | will not run the risk
of another such disaster"
"She is unworthy of thought" said
one abiding to the maiden who bad
proved so meanly false to her VOWS; "and
thousand times unworthy of regret by
so true heart as yours"
Z" 1t is easy to say all that" was an
swered in bitter tone. I" But the heart
that once loves, loves on forevcr-loves
even though the object of affection proves
unworthy"
Mere poets talk" said the friend.
"True love is only based on percep-
ton of qualities You never truly loved
this girl, and time will proved words. -
Let her image pass from your thoughts
like breath from the face of a mirror. -
Fling her memory to the winds"
Little effect had all this on the mind
of Heaton. He held himself aloof from
friends, and remained for nearly year
in kind of social recluse, brooding over
the misfortunes which had so early in
life made his SKY sunless. As clerk.
on a moderate salery, he went through
his momentous round ofduties, all inter-
est in the future seemed to have died out
of his heart.
At the end of the year there was a
gay wedding in the city, gay and impo-
sing enough to create autter in a GER
tain circle A young merchant, who
had started in business at the same time
with Heston, and being more successful
had tried another venture in life, even
the doubtful one of leading to the alter a
maiden who had been false to her first
lover, and turned from him when the
sunshine left his path.
This had the effect to spur into new
life the almost dormant energies Of our
young friend. From that time he walked
abroad with frmer tread, and coun-
tenance more elevated. If his old light
heartedness did not return he showed a
cheerful aspect, and something like
genial side to his character. The true
man in him was working with new vi
tality, and throwing off the dead hnsks
of feelings which closed around him
closely as cerements.
Ere another year had gone by, an Of.
fer to commence business again--or rath-
err, to become partner in an old estab-
iished house-was accepted, and he
started in the world once more, moving
with surer prospect. And he loved
again--loved as deeply and far more
wisely--loved one whose light Of love
for him was an undying fame that no
waters Of misfortune could ever quench.
Morris Heston was all right with the
world again, and wiser and happier for
the brief but desolating storm which had
so sadly marred the beautiful garden Of
his young life. Prosperity crowned his
business efforts and love made his home a
paradise.
Now and then he met on the streets,
or in social parties, her who had played
him SO falsely in his darker hours never
without an almost audibly breathcd ut
terance Of thanks for the misfortune
which had proved her quality. She was
growing yearly into bold, Haunting.
heartless woman of the world; her once
beautiful face changed steadily, to eyes
unveiled by sensuality, it wore more
repellent aspect. To her husbands side
she was rarely seen to move on social oc-
casions, with an unconscious instinct, as
if it was always unpleasant to be near
him; but plainly preferred any mans
company to his.
"Thank God for misfortune" said
Heston, almost speaking aloud on one oc-
casion, as he saw her turn from her hus-
band with scarcely concealed disgust,
and crown another man with wreath Of
smiles. ITO me it came blessing in
disguise"
1t was scarcely month later, when
the husband of this weak, vain, unprin-
cipled woman, returned from his bust
ness one evening to find his home desc
late, his love hopelessly wrecked and his
baby worse than motherless. His wife
had abandoned all her sacred duties, and
throwing love, honor, virtue to the mock
ing winds, cast her lot With that Of