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

ill., 1t was said she was unhappy, and that
her husband treated her, though always cour-
teously, with great coldness / felt a miser-
able, choking feeling-half delight, half Bit
terness, at the thought that he did !not love
her, but l bailied even my step-mother's Gu.
riosity. by my impenetrabilty. l am sure
she did not learn whether took any interest
in the dwellers at Holme Place.
More years passed. still had offers though
no longer young. AT last l determined to
accept me. Arthur Meriien was man
worthy Of my csteem-worthy of my love,
only that bad no love to give. He was
satisfied when told him all, and promised
to become his WIFE,
But as soon as | had promised, the old,
wretched, waiting feeling came back. 1t
seemed as il l vaguely expected something to
interpose and prevent the consummation of
that unholy engagement. And as the day
approached | grew more and more, and more
wretched, till finally, on a sudden impulse,
determined to 60 down to my fathers to look
once more upon the old familiar scenes the
village church and Holme Place, before
should have promised away my freedom, mis-
cradle as it made me ortbinking of past love
went, and the first sound that greeted
me as ! entered the village was the tolng of
the bell, and the carriage drew up beside
/
In the FIRST carriage set Leander Holme, very
pale, but calm 1t was his wiie--she whom
l 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
ilolme, but because l literally lacked the
strength and energy for my homeward jour
ncy. My sole thought was that now Leander
was free. If he still loved me he might at
some future time seek me, but was about
to place barrier between u.s. and TO become
the wife of whom | now know more than
ever could not love.
All last, as the day came that was TO start
on my return, felt that | had gone too far
TO retract, and must fulfil the promise that
had voluntarily made to an honorable man.
| little knew the freedom that / would almost
have given life itself to secure was already
mine.
had scarcely reached my home when
messenger arrived to beg me, in the name Of
Arthur Merden, to go at once to his house.
lie had been thrown from his horse that af-
ternoon and fatally injured. He was still
living and sensible and most anxious to see
me once more. God only knows / reproached
myself Tor the first intense feeling Of gladness
that flooded my soul as heard those terrible
tidngs.
l stood beside him to the last determined,
as penance for my unfeeling Joy, 10 spare
myself no one ofhis painful though short suf-
ierlngs. In few hours, on the very morning
that was to have dawned upon our wedding,
he breathed his last His death set 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, aud it was said the
farm was getting into ruilous condition as
years passed on and its master did not return.
lie held no correspondence with any one ut
home, except in the briefest business letters.
So more years pas sed away. / busted my
self in the education of my sister and intro
ducing her into society, as she grew up a
beautiful and brilliant girl, while ceased to
TO feel sensible TO the title Of cold maid,"
and took my place pIacidly among the elders,
aud brushed my still luXuriant hair, now
thickly streaked with gray, beneath tasteful
cap.
had become almost satisfied with my lot,
and had ceased to think very frequently of
Leauder llolme, when was startled out of
my usual pacidty by hearing that he had re-
turned TO his home. The letter that brought
these tdings stated farther that he was max
ing many alterations and improvements in
the old place, aud that it was conjectured
that he was again about to bring bride
hither.
That old man! - exclaimed my pretty sis
ter, as she read this item "Sister Katharine
can you conceive Of man marrying at his
age ~
l smiled and reminded the blooming little
beauty that the man she called old cold not
be over forty-fye, although ii seemed great
age to her. sighed little ms glanced at
the mirror and saw my faded features as re-
| flected from its surface.
Soon after my sister married. | gave her
to the man she had chosen, well pleased, for
! felt that he was worthy of my treasure
But it was with very lonely, saddened heart
that after The wedding breakfast was over,
and the newly welded pair and all the guests
departed. went to shut myseifinto my own
room. l wept little, for was grlwing old
aud was all alone, and the future seemed very
bleak and drear to me as | thought what
might have been, had | been loya! to my
hearts allegiance.
| My maid knocked q. my door, 4 gentle
man was in the parlor and wished to see me.
"Did he send bis card or name 2"
mo, madam; be said he was an old friend,
and would detain you but few moments"
GO back and say that l can sec no one
| to-day, except on busness-tell him that my
sister has just left me--that | am not we'll"
The girl went back and listened as lay
for the claug Of the street door. But, IN
stead, it was with feeling of vexatlon that !
heard footsteps returning. She came ia, and
perhaps seeing my impatience of interruption
laid card in my hand and retired without
speaking
LEANDER lIoIME.
The letters swan before my eyes, and l
trembed SO that could scarcely stand, and
tried to adjust my cap before the mirror
At length, with unsteady steps, l descended
to theparlor / opened the door and stood
in the presence Of the man had loved, and
from whom had been separated SO long.
His hair was gray; there were lines Of
suffering all over his face, only the bright
dark eyes were unchanged ! gave him my
hand he looked at me steadtastly little
while. Then he drew me towards him, and
without word, lay sobOing upon bis bo-
| som.
"At last-at last he murmured.
! Thus was l reunited to my first and last
love. We are very happy now at Holme
Place. My husband is all that is good aud
noble aud my life is spent in ministering to
his happiaess, and 10 trying to fill mothers
place to the long g,neglected children of the
/ wife he had never loved.
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