Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-08-26
Sflistellantous.
A GIRLS DILEMMA.
CONCLUDED

The evening came on which we expected
him. Never before had our drawing-room
worn more happy, home-like character
My father read the newspaper at ease in his
ample chair; my handsome, lively aunt per
petually interrupting him with irrelevant
remarks / sat near the tca-table, for a
certain hour had been fixed. and we waited
for our guest before we began our favorite
meal | held book, to hide the changes
Of my countenance. Had [ doubted my
cousin love before. [ should have doubted
it no longer; how earn silly and searchingly
he looked at me--how grave and sad he APP
peared " ~
The knock came It was natural
should start; but it was hard to smile natu-
rally at my aunts pleasant raillery Mr.
Lacy came in; he was one of those whose
self-governed, serene manner precluded fut-
Ter or embarrassment in others. The gen
tie friendliness of his greeting treasured me
for the moment: under it | could hardly i'm
agine the strong passionate current to exist
that sometimes broke its bounds.
The evening passed smoothly and pleas
antly to all externals Mr. Lacy was very
grave, but then it was to be expected Of a
son who had just left his fathers death bed
and my aunt's animated tongue filed up the
intervals when conversation would have
tagged. Frank and / sang together at my
fathers request, for feared to seem unwil-
ling; besides, it precluded the necessity Of
my exerting myself to talk. Frank was
very serious, and, thought, averse to sing
with me; but at the same time he had never
sung to more advantage.
The ordeal was over at last. Mr.. Lacy
took his leave. without any thing i'll his
manner to make me fear, or perhaps hope.
that my secret was discovered A week
passed: he was constantly with us, showing
me the same tenderness as ever somewhat
graver, but as certainly more gentle. He
seemed, too, to make point of seeking
Franks society, and spoke of him in high
terms to my father Oh! what heavy
heart | carried during that period. Look
ing in my glass, I thought with wonder Of
the change six months can work in mind
and body. At the end Of those seven days
T came to resolution that nerved me with
something like strength. Thought would
seek direct interview with Mr.. Lacy, tell
him the whole truth, and throw myself on
his generosity. Let him but release me
from an engagement that became every hour
more intolerable to contemplate and would
consent to enter on no other Lat him but
free me, and would live unmarried forever
yes, though l must take labor and power
ty as companions.
1t was the very evening of the day I had
come to this decision, that Glanced to meet
Mr. Lacy on the stairs, at the hour of his
usual arrival Here was the desired op-
portunity, but trembled to avail myself Of
it. He forestalled me.
"Give me quarter Of an hour alone,
Mildred. in the library" he said [ have
wished to have a few private words with
you for days"
We went in; he placed me chair near
the fire, and closed the door carefully, then
came up to me, standing before me as he
spoke;
This day six months ago, Mildred. I made
promise am going to redeem. 1t you
are not happy. I sid, | will free you from
the engagement you made with me. You
are not happy. suspected the truth from
your letters-those painful letters and |
saw it confirmed the first night oe my arri
val. The expression Of your face, the tone
OF your voice, when you spoke to your cou-
sin, would have set the strongest doubt at
rest, killed the most pertinacious hope
He paused moment. then went on as calmly
as before: Il acquit you Of all blame, Mil
dred 1t was | that acted the unworthy part,
taking unmanly advantage Of my power to
help your father and your untried child's
heart. If were not now the only sufferer.
| could scarcely bear the retrospect but |
am, thank God AS for your father, our
fears magni6ed his danger the little help |
was able to give, has established his po-
sition as firmly as before. He will repay
me; YOU owe me nothing. have had a
wild dream, but I am awake at last-awake
enough to see it was fools idea that man
like me could win young girls heart"
He was calm no longer; hat he turned