Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1858-01-08
The Shadows and the Sunshine.
a letter for You. sir.'
broke the seal and read with astonis

n lelief YOU. S.t.
broke the seal and read with astoaish-
ment--
'Mr. EdFafd Worthiagton,
sSir-Pardon these intrusive lines, AMI rest
assured that they are from one who shall ever
be proud to call himself your sincere friend
Lucy Anes is not faithful to you do not
write this to you for any purpose; for since
know so well your generous ard noble nature,
| cannot hesitate when | see that nature be-
come the innocent dupe of vile dissimulaton
Nos have been too hasty in communicating to
you this knowledge: only fear it is too late:
but rest assured that all have said is true,
aud can be attested By one who has an uu-
doubted personal knowledge of all the facts
Arthur Wesley, our village schooimasier, is
your too fortunate rival Yours,
A FRIEND
| This was not the first intimation had had
of hucy's Inconsistency. 1 bad seen things with
nay own eyes that made lie doubt her sincer-
| ty. For long time the unwclcome suspicion
had been preying upon lne, aud this fatal letter
had come to bring conviction-stern, irrevoca-
BILE, hopeless conviction.
did not doubt the truth of it; and yet how
it wilhered my soul with torture to think Of it,
4 W dduIib w. II uOI, VI COuiu not crush
| | braved it to the last had been less than a
man to do otherwise. | rc-perused the letter
! calinly-no, not calmly--not iudifferently, bat
sternly, as though it were decreed of Fate that
| should not only drain the bitter cup, but
should swallow. the very drcgs.
Aud yet loved the wayward girl, and glad
! ly, oh, how gladly, would have forgotten ber
/ uprudence. To her FIRST of all | went to seek
an interview. Lucy was proud, too proud 10
be JUS: to herself, yet she was generous and
noble, in spite of her fckleness. r
obstnately convinced that she preferred an
other 10 me, did not ask or expect any expla-
nations from her, showed her without any
hesitation the letter had just received, and
requested her IL return to me such letters as
had previously written to her, and any othe,
little keepsake which might, in future, only
prove annoying to her. She bestowed on me q
look shall never forget
Do you believe this, Edward,'
Il do;' | replied, without hesitation.
'What unimpeachable eviience' she retort-
cd, with the impulse Of pride.
q do not rely on the information contained
in that letter. have seen enough myself
without asking any PERSONS advice or opin.
ion.i
She Immediately left tho room, and returned
in few moments with package of letters and
a small bcx of jewels, my former presents, say.
ing gaily, as the placed them in my hands
BY these tokens, since it is your will, alb.
solve you.'
| lD spite of the smile that played upon hel
mouth, i thought could detect traces Of re
cent tears, hastily brushed away from her
cheeks.
In moment the thought flashed upon III,
mind that she might, after all, be true. Im
pulsively ! was about to speak TO her, to asl
her if it was not SO; but what should ! say?
had gone too far, and it was too late to retreat
But as the thought had come upon me like
fash, it vanished us it had come, leaving No al
tentative but to pursue the course had adopt
ed.
farewell, them said, with apparent in
difference. 'May your future life be eve
lighted by The sunshine of happiness
'fhauk you! trust no act of my own una
ever bring misery on me-
.Conscence, Miss Ames--conscieuce
'Will never reproach me!'