Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-01-07


time he had allotted hirnself, he set out
at last, happy to believe that he had
wooed and won just such lady as was
every way calculated to make him hap
Ply.
And now, reader allow us to take ad-
vantage of the absence of our hero
again and present to your view, anoth-
cr actor in the scene We are describing.
Richard Claxton was bold, impetuous
and unrestrained in his disposition
Although there was much in him to ad-
mirc, yet he had failed to nourish the
best traits of the heart and fed those
which rendered him less prepossessing
For years he had indulGed a-mostsyipr
lent tIsetionf for len Lkgare, and
|swhel he revealed to her his love, and
ilearned that she could not, did not love
him, he gave way to the violence of his
rage, and resolved in his heart, that if
she would not be his, she should not be
another's. He was an observer of eve
ry event in which Ellen was cepcerned
and it was not long ere he ascertained
that Harry Hugcr and Ellen were be-
trothed. How to defeat their union be-
came the burden of his studies.
Harry Huger had been at home but a
short time, when, rs he promised her on
bidding her adieu, he wrote to Ellen
Oh, how much pleasure did he antici-
pate in the perusal Of her answer. y
month had elapsed, and he had as yet
received no response. Fearing that pos
sibly his letter might have been miscar-
ried, he wrote again, pressing her at the
same time tc give him an immediate an
swer. But again he was doomed to dis
appointment Weeks passed, and no
answer come. The feelings of Harry
may better be imagined than described
as TINS his bosom was wounded repeat
edly by these disappointments. What
were the emotions of Miss LcSare p
Had she indeed learned so soon to shake
of al! kind rememLranccs of Harry p
Had she so soon repented of her SOL
emn vow 10 be his? No, no: If Har-
ry was unhappy at the saddeuing ap-
pearancc of things, she was thrice un-
happy at his neglect in not writing to
her sooner. In heart she wondered
why Harry had not written to her, and
she was sad, and the more so, on ac-
count of 4 rumor, which Richard Clax-
ry was engaged to be married to a lady
of his own village, Butshe hoped on,
determined not to harbor a thought Of
his Inconsistency. Weeks wore away, and
soon the eye of the fond parents detect
ed the fact that sorrow had seated itself
upon her brow. With honest heart she
told them all-conjurins them, at the
same time, not to reproach Harry. But,
they knew less of him than she, and her
father became angry. Little did they
dream that the cause of their child 5
sorrow was lurking in the midst, in the
form of Richard Claxton. 1t was new
erthcless true. He had, himself, inter
ccptcd Harry's letters to Ellen.
Sick at heart, an l wcaried with disap-
pointment. Harry determined to visit
Ellen. and learn from her own lips the
cause of her strange conduct. II would
be difficult to describe the thousand and
one emotions which, like lightning,
flashed across the mind of Harry, as he
wended his way to the place he had re-
Gently left happy. Often would he
catch the tears trickling down his check
as he trod along; but mastering hismoral
powers, he would resolve not to be so
maidenly. 1t was near the close of the
day when he arrived at his destined
point. Hardly waiting to take refresh
ments, he FASTENED to see her to whom
lie was betrothed With trembling
hand he Knocked at the door of the
house which contained the one he so
much loved; and with an agitated bo-
som he awaited her appearance. \ ser
want soon presented himself, who, in re-
ply to Harry's inquiry, Informed him
that Miss Ellen was not at home. For
a moment Harry was staggcrcd-he
thought he would fall; but.enlisting all
his energies, he maintained his position
In another moment his back was turn
cd upon the mansion of Ellen, while in
his heart was formed the purpose, which
should serve, canker-worm like, to cat
up all the enjoyments he had hoped to
find on earth purpose never again to
see her. So soon as he arrived at the
hotel, he seated himself and penned the
following note. He did not think him
self rash-he felt sure, and the more he
thought of it the more he was convin-
ced, that enough had been done to dry
up the fountain of affection, which once
run SO freely for Ellen Legare:
''--, May To-.
Miss Legrre Much as deprecate intruding
upon your time and at cmlion, cannot fnrcgn the
temptation to say to you, that while you have
found it so easy to persuade Yourself to triHe
with my feelings and wnund the tendcre> It SEN
: bilitics of nv nature. fear a day of retribu-
tOn will vet arrive. ! release you f.Om your en-
gagement, doubtless you feel yourself a b 'olv-
ed by your own conduct. Farewell, forever.
HARRY HCGER."
Ere the rays of the next days sun il
lumincd the mountain-top, Harry had
despatched this note to Ellen, and was
on his journey home. 1t was dark
hour to Ellen when she received this
note. Sad was her heart indeed. When
first she heard that Harry was in town
she was happy, as she anticipated an ex-
planation to his seeming unkindness.-
III, indeed, was she prepared to receive
such a letter. When the messenger
handed her the letter, she was playing
careless with Harry's miniature, which
she had constantly carried with her
since their betrothal. In a moment the
seal was broken and the contents read