Brookville American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1858-1861, 1858-11-26

in the family. must go away. This
state of misery was killing me. l had
become so weakly nervous, that any
thing sudden or unexpected, made me
scream out, or faint away. L could not
bear this much longer, and live, even
though Edwards kindness had filled my
whole heart with bogndless gratitude
and love for him. While was trying
to summon courage to consult him on
the subject Of my future residence, he
was suddenly called away from home
for some weeks. The time of his alb
sence was time of Interest trial to
me.
One of his friends, DIR. E, often
visited at the house, and entering into
Edwards feeling of pity for my iorlorn
state, (Which he perceived as clearly as
if he had told it in words,) he often
showed me little polite eattentions. They
soon became to me the sunbeams in my
wintry weather. After Edward left
home, his friend still came. felt con
scious, and joyful; but alas it was not
long before l saw change in his man
ner to me. He grew cold and distant.
loitensaw him regarding me curiously,
with a regretful expression, as if the
suspicion Of my unworthness were be-
ginning to take root This grieved mo
past telling. !
he had bunch of pretty wild flow.
ers in his hand one day when he came
the last blossoms Of autumn. He had
always brought them for me before; but
now, when | expected them, and was
so foolish as to look glad when / saw
them, thinking that, after all, he was
not turning from me, he gave them to
Letitia with an air that seemed to say,
l"You need not suppose they arc for
you'll"
was so weak, and so overwhelmed
with shame and grief, that for II mo-
ment l felt faint. l sank dows upon the
sofa, and Lettie famed me. Just then
Charles came in.
THAT actress is at her interesting
tricks againsl' he sneered. don
waste your time and sympathy on her.
She will come to quick enough, if you
retire, and leave no one by TO admire
her arsI'
II do think she is i'll, Charles" said
I.ettic, '.see her poor white lips!'
"Perhaps-buL if Dir. E had not
been here us witness, she would not
have tainted"
l sprang up-my nerves stung to
spasmodic effort-and ran for til door.
Charles low laugh sounded i'm my ears
| reached my room, but fell again upon
the floor, where l quietly lay until !
felt stronger.
| knew what comments would be
made upon my sudden recovery. They
would say the sickness was all pre-
tcnce Or. E., l hoped, would
think so; yes, | hoped it, for if my faint
ing was not II counterfeit, what inter
probation must he put upon it? I'm
sought love? That is the crime woman
fears most Of ALL
Ny shame and misery were more
than l could bear. | did not leave my
room again for a week, being quite re
yerish and i'll. But determined to be
down on Thanksgiving Day, when Ed
ward was expected home; and when the
day arrived, with all its hustle of prep
aration for guests, and their reception,
| was so much better that | dressed to
be present at dinner. When word was
sent to my room that dinner was serv-
ed, FASTENED down, wondering that
Edward should have arrived without
my knowing it, | had spent most of the
morning listening for him on the stairs.
/ did not think they would have dinner
without him, and had to try hard to
keep my joy, ut the idea OF seeing him
again, WITHIN bounds. As quietly en-
tered the dining room, thought | saw
him standing before II picture, looking
at il, and awaiting the gathering Of the
family. l saw the only one there be-
side himself | venturcd TO lay hand
upon his shoulder, and say, rather
tremulously, Welcome home, my only
fricnd!' IL was the first time had ever
alluded to my troubles TO any one. lie
turned. l started at least three PAGES
t. ON hlm. IL was Dr. E! His
height, aud black hair, or my own pre-
conceived fancy had mislcd ne. | was
too much startled and confused to OBJ
serve his manner when thus addressed
but remember that my hand was dc
tained, and that he was about to speal
when the family and guests came flock
ing in from the parlor.
! When all were seated, Charles, wh'
sat in Edwards place, said,
Edward should have been here; bu
us the timo OF arrival of tho ears ha
past, suppose We shall not soc bin
until Tomorrow.
Great regret ut his absence was eX
pressed by the others; but | think n
one felt it as | did.
AS the waiter was removing the soup
I plates, messenger on urgent busines
10 Charles, was announced, and he wa
obliged to leave the table. flo cam
! back, looking very pale and troubled
lie leaned OH his chair, and, paused
moment, while We all looked ut him ]
brcathlcss anxiety. Aiter time, h
c stammered, that there had been n ieai
c full accident on the railroad, and Ed
l ward was-lost
1t seemed like death blow to me-
d For hours | was alternately insensibl
i and conscious OF cruel misery.
was entirely unaware of what wa
. taking place around me- Atlast ! gre
II more tranquil The first words hear
were from old DR.. od-cnough, wi
l. stood at my bedside. comprehend
1t that there was medical consultation
as This nervous prostralion could N
n, be brought about suddenly, even |
~ such n shock. | have long observe