The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1860-01-18

ted by any now living. When | was
your age | was very gay. People called
me handsome, and having educational
advantages superior TO those with whom
l associated, with but few exceptions,
became vain. My society WAS eagerly
sought for, and | had several suitors.-
There were two who sought nv hand at
the same ume-my beloved husband,
Edward Leigh, and young man NAMED
james, | need not tell yuu loved Ed.
ward Leigh; but, as is too frequently the
case with young and vain girls, | encour
aged Mr.. James because he lived near.
was gay, fascinating. and numerically
bored 10y maupuvering manmas who
thought him splendid match for their
daughters. He was very intelligent, had
sect great deal of the world, was thir. e
years old, and had never loved. The de.
sire seized my mind to capuva,e him, to
win hum to an acluow wicdTemcnt tha, he
love" Inc. never once Thought Of the
pain might occasion him. thought it
would be such triumph To accomplish
what no other woman had been able to
do. knew | could not win him by flat
'crv-l had seen its effects tried npon
! him in too many cases. studied well
my part, and by fegning u perfect iudif
terence, soon had the satisfaction Of hav
| Ing hun as M constant attendant at par.
ties ani in my morning rides, ,'hiIe many
OF my evenings were speut IN entertain
ing him. bad become cpnsumma,e
/ actress, and my knowledge OF books. my
! great love Of reading, served me well, for
! | kne" he Was not TO he won by such
NONSENSE as Women too frequently substi
! tnte for sense in Il er intercourse with
gen l"m'en. Ny engagement wit| II
wari was TO: generally known. aS he
/ was absent several months Irevious To
our marriage. The time set lor tie con
summation Of our hopes at the altar was
the iir>t OF October, and only one month
oil when Mr.. James declared his love. --
Oh. Maggie, though h,L hoped Tor thai
time AS one Of triumph, Cod knows | d Il
not wish 10 give him pain. | did not
know him, or | should have acted quite
differently. My parents and brother djI
not think Of his loving IN" or they would
have lntetf.rrcd. We'll. asked for two
weeks to consider tho subject at the erI
Of that time | sent him An invitation /,
my wedding. | knew not then how H..
] received it. But when the night came
t"r our marriage, was arraved in the
most costly styIe Ev.r,,IirG n,.s.d "a
gaylv. looked for Mr. james, but ha
was not there. Toward ,l,e ,l,se &C .he
EVEN, overheard two gentlemen TALKING
- the ua,ne of Robert James c,u,Lt ~,
ear, and listened. heard one Of them
say. yes, hc is very ii. and rave, con
stun,lv abou, Kate Eust,ce. Poor j,,low
| Il d not think he would ever love. tho
KITE is enough to turn his head 4 sud
den fnnrne,s came over m.. and leaned
IN ia" open window, until Edward came
aud askrl me if | was III. oh. no.
ST |, rs lightly as could. "only a little
. faint; the heat is oppressive | was far
fiom happy, though il was my bridal
night and loved my noble husband and
knew that his heart was all NV own. lie
had not heard of INV filtration with Mr..
James, and | dare not tell him lest he
should cease to love me. Oh, would
have gwen everything possessed, except
his love, 10 have been abe to undo the
mischief hnd done. tired To dive
away thoughts Of my vic'im ly con.tan,
ex'itenint, but there seemed to be
something ever near me, whispering IN
my ear the name e RI, crt James. |
could not remain in the neighhorho"d
where | could hear of his fitness every
dav | went with my husband to visit
ms relatives, and was absent six weeks.
When we returned to our home, the first
news that reached us was the tardy recov
cry OF Mr.. James. How relieved felt
"A few days after our return, Edward
and rode out late in the afternoon, and
met buggy driven 10y servant, while -
gentlemen sat wrapped in large shawl,
SO that did not recognize bim until very
near. Then he raised Lis head, and fix
ing his great, sorrowfv!, sunken eyes fuI
upon my face, eroaned aloud. The shock