Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-08-11


was his surprise and delight to hear Esthe
pledge herself to learn to love him-to know
that she respected and esteemed him was NOR
than his most sanguine anticipation had led hin
to expect, and now to know that she woult
school herself to be every thing to him that h
could wish or desire, he could scarcely believe
his ears; and his happiness was so great thai
the sensation at that moment was akin to pain
And this was love! The passion that makes
strong man so weak, and weak woman weaker
still the passion that equaliSes the Prince will
the Peasant, and raises the lowly to the lofty
level Of the great; the song of life; the music
Of the soul; the hearts happiness. :.
After ovcr-hearing the conversation above
recorded, Mr.. Hasbrook did not enter the draw.
ing-room Of Mrs. Lee, as was his intention on
his arrival, but stole off on tip-toe, like some
guilty being, fearing discovery. lie had secret
to keep: Esther should never learn that he wa:
knowing to her high resolve; she should never
even mistru>t how intensely he hated and loathed
the woman she called mother. He resolved in
his own mind that she should remain in igno-
rance of what was imprinted as with red hot
iron in his heart of hearts, there to remain until
the sea shall give up its dead, and the secrets
of all hearts shall be revealed.
The following evening he called on Esther
and told her. without hesitation Of his hopes
and fears, Of his deep and overpowering love,
and Of her image ever present to his minds eye.
I" Tell me Esther" he said in conclusion, "do
you think you can make yourself contented and
happy as my wife %
Esther's reply was frankly spoken, and her
voice did not tremble as she said,
"NIr. Hasbrook, before I can give you an
answer, must inform You as to the state OF my
feelings towards you; and, to speak candidly, |
am fearful that do not love you as you deserve
to be loved by the one you would choose from
the world to be your partner for life. Then
you.know you have wealth, whereas am poor.
so tia. am fearful might be accused Of mer-
cenary motives and furthermore, you know my
mother having no other child would expect to
make her home with Inc should marry"
II am willing to take you for better or
worse Esther. Wealth would be but SUPER
Auous with you-I love you the more because
you have it not and as regards your mother,
rest assured she shall be amply provided for. I
do not wish to seperate you from your only
surviving parent, and shall be glad to have her
look upon my house as her home for life. Now,
having hope satisfied your scruples expect
you in return To appoint very early day for
our marriage"
"Oh am not worthy OF yoss-indeed am
not" and Esther burst into a passion of tears
"8elieve me, darling, You are distressing
yourself very unnecessarily. know your Lcart
better than you do yourself, and have no fear
for the future. am willing to trustmy happi-
ness to your keeping, and it shall be the study
of my life to render you happy in return. So
don't keep me i'll suspcnse-say at once that
may speak to your mother on the subject, and
let lis have matters settled without delay"
"Il You arc willing to put up with my thou
sand and one faults, and bear with my many
inconsistencies. will consent TO become your
wife, and hope you may never regret the
choice you have made"
Mr.. IIasbrook was not lcrnonstratiyc man
he did not go down upon his knees to thank
Esther for her affirmative answcr-but lie took
both her little trembling hands i'll his and i'm
printing kiss upon the pure white brow, said
"My own, while life lasts !"
Mrs. Lee was in her chamber, anXiously
awaiting her summons to the Parlour, when
Esther entered, "Well, have you accepted him 2"
ayes madam" was the reply.
"Does he wish to speak to me?"
"IIe docs" and the next moment Esther Lee
Law sobbing on her mothers bosom.
"Therc, that will do child, I wish to 60 down
and speak to Mr.. Hasbrook. declare you
have quite rumpled my cap strings, and turned
my collar awry. cannot conceive how child
of mine can possibly be as undignified as you
are at times What fright you have made
me-" and Mrs. Lee walked to the mirror with
the dignity of an Empress in anticipation of the
position she would occupy in society when her
daughter should become Mrs. 1Iasbrook.
TIE interview between Mrs. Lee and her fu-
ture Son-in-law lasted only few moments.
On returning to the room where she had left,
" Esther" she exclaimed, ~ have triumphcd at
last. Now will show the aristocracy of Boston
who they have sighted. There are the Whit
neys, the Bentons, and the Gregorys. I'll
teach them to hold their heads above me; and
there is that ugly little Mrs. Gracey actually
turned her head away when she met me in the
street the other day, and Mrs. Livingston had the
impudence to tell Inc that she would like to
take me to ride sometimes, if it was not that
her carriage was always overloaded with her
husbands poor relatives; and Mrs. jenkins had
the audacity to bow to me from her carriage
window without even stopping to invite me to
take seat with her, and she the only occupant.
But Just wait, and see if don't make Hasbrook
get carriage that will outshine them all-and
I'll ride in it too, every day whether want to
or not, just to SHOW it. Why do you sit there
moping like sick pigeon? You ought to be
dancing for joy to think of the establishment
you will have, and the parties you will give, and
how those proud stuck-up Whitney girls will
envy you; and just to think Of it, Constance
| Ranton. with all her wealth, could not win the