The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-10-21
VOL. XI.-NO. Is.
FILTRATION.

1.-The world would hardly be worth liv-
ing in if it were not for hirtatiOn," ex-
claimed the gay and thoughtless Isabel Lee,
as she laughingly entered her aunt's room.
hope you are not serious" replied her
aunt.
There's nothing like firtation," cried
the merry Isabel. - But you look reproach-
ful-angry."
"Oh, | am not angry" replied Mrs. Bed
ford, with melancholy SMILE
But you are displeased."
Your words awaken recollections which
cause me to feel sad--thats ALL Sit down
here by my side, and you shall hear story
of one of my flirtations, which may change
your mind"
Isabel sat down, looking thoughtful, and
her aunt continued:
when was young, like you, dear child,
was quite as gay and thoughtless as your
SELF was called coquette, and 1 shame
to confess it, gloried in the name, until the
occurrence of the painful event which l am
about to relate.
Half dozen times year used to visit
c., and spend a week or two in the
pleasant society of that place. There 1
frequently met pale, handsome, sensitive
young man, named Gilborne, who paid me
very flattering attentions, making me the
theme of several poetic illusions, and with
whose Partially was we'll pleased.
Il was warned by many wellmeaniDg
persons against encouraging the addresses
of so impulsive fellow as Gilborne, who,
they said, was more serious than 1, and who
might end by falling more deeply in love
with me than l expected or desired. l
laughed at the idea, and finding the attend
ance of the young poet still agreeable,
continued to receive them until it was too
late"
''Too late how so, aunt ?"
Why, to my establishment, he one day
made a passionate declaration of his love,
and offered me his hand"
And did you love him."
No, child, was merely pleased with
him. But even then did not suppose that
his love was anything more than the result
of sudden impulse, which would pass away
with my visit to c.. So respectfully
declined his offer, laughed at the idea Of
marrying at that age, and begged him to
dismiss the subject from his mind. On the
following day | left c., and returned
home.
Letters and poetry followed me, breath
ing the same passionate devotion, aud burn
ing with the eloquence of love. They bore
no name but | knew the were from Henry
Gilborne. | was beginning to be very much
annoyed. took counsel with my friends,
and resolved to send all future epstles back
to him unopened. I returned two letters in
this manner, and received no more; but
three or four weeks after l received news.
paper, in which there was sonnet addressed
to me under fictitious name, and sigred with
his initials. He had discovered new mode
OF reaching me with his passionate illusions;
and from that time sonnet or song signed
H G., came to me from the G.
Gazette nearly every week.
At this time Mr.. Bedford was paying me
his addresses. He was one of natures
noblemen-frank, generous, firm in what he
considered right, and gentleman in his
manners. Having learned lesson from
the unhappy termination of my last hirta-
tion, l received Mr.. Bedford's attention in a
different manner from what had been ac-
custOmed to do, and in a short time we
were married.
The ceremony took place in the church.
l loved Mr.. Bedford. Gilborne was at that
moment quite forgotten, and l was perfect
ly happy. had not thought to disturb
the peace of my mind-the calm repose of
my heart, which had so willingly, gladly
given away-until, as we were passing from
the church, my eyes fell upon a wild, bag.
gard figure, standing near the door.
1t was Gilborne. His face was dread
fully pale, his lips ashy, his eyes cleaned
with an unnatural brightness, and he
trembed in every limb. started, uttered
suppressed cry, and shuddering, hung to
my husbands army. A pang went through
my heart-a pang of remorse and dread
which l shall never forget"
What's the matter 2" Edward asked.
/ could not reply, but be saw my eye fixed
upon the haggard object in the door wav
aud knew whyI shuddered, for had told
him something of my unfortunate Irritation.
{" Is that Glborne 2" he asked.
Eyes" | murmured.
BY this time all eyes were fixed upon the
unhappy man. 1t was not his pale face and
wild eye alone that attracted attention, his
dress was disarranged his long dark hair
fell in disOrdered locks about his cheeks and
his garments were covered with the dust of
travel. But while all eyes were fixed upon
him, his were fixed on me alone; and in INV
alarm and confusion, I felt the blood at first
forsake my cheeks, then burn them like
fire. 81
But his image, as he stood there in the
doorway, haunted my brain, and it was
many hours before l could compose my
self.
l was beginning, however, to feel at ease
again, in the midst of my wedding guests,