The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1860-10-11

| anu SO this precious lettCr was sent
to the wandercr on the seas; to the
man who looked upon mo as his bride
who had already selected with criti-
cal tastidiousncss and tender pleasure,
the snowy, costly fabric for my bridal
robe. All, joy!
Months passed, | had graduated
from school with honor, and had rc,ur-
ned home fora briefporiod, before ma.
king u long promised visit to u school
friend.
sought, one evening, my old seat on
the cliffs, which had so long stunned;
but looked no longer with wisttul
cy ; in the direction once had looked
Never had | tc more irccr, happier.
Bright, yet vague visions danced before
my eyes.
was recalled TO the world about me
10y the figure Of Il man advancing to.
ward me. Tie came nearer. 4 COW.
ardIy terror seized me. seemed sud
dcnly turned to stone. 1t was Capt.
Cleveland lie sprang toward me ca
gerry, and would have cIaspcd me to
his ncart, but shrank from him, He
turned deadly pale.
"lS this your welcome for the long
absent, Marian ?'
The tone-thc wolds--wcnt to my
heart.
"Did--Iid you not receive my let
ter" asked
II have received no letter. Why do
you receive me so coIdIy ? What do
you mean. What has happenrd?" he
demanded, impetously.
And repeated, in hard, untccling
touoS-iOr " said, seemed suddenly
turned to stonc-a stcreotypcd copy of
my letter.
Only onco was interrupted. ]
looked up ieartuIIy. His face was
working convuIsively; but he said
stcrnly:
$50 ON, am listening" And Ipro-
cccdcd
When had finished, | vcntured TO
look up at him. His face WAS calm
nov; bu, the light had golc out from
MS counlcnancc, leaving it in deepest
darkness. He seemed for u moment
stunned with blow; then he said:
"Ma.iAn, il should tell you that for
four years you have been the one hope
Of my lie; that everything, every an
ticipalion, has been swallowed up in
this, till it has become the one absorb.
Ing idea Of my life: that disappointed
in this, there is no future for me--tor
nave not the happy faculty exchanging
aud never can know happiness again;
that ! had rather = thousand times
been nus led into the depths Of the sea,
even in sight OF the spot which | be-
Ilcvcd would bring such happiness to
me, than to have learned from your
own lips that you have proved untath.
tul 10 the lies happiness and trust con
tiucd i ur years ago to your hands. All
thi, would avail nothing. You have
thought OF it well. You mean it, Ma
rian!"
And said, II mean it,"
lie buric his face in his hands
"G ID .orgiyo you, Marian
Yes, God forgive me.
After this he did rot leave town
SAW MIN daily-trequently otlener. lie
had evidently no intention OF turning
rccil,9. lle Was hell in high considc-
ration, iud parties were made in honor
oI III, ruturn, Ut which We were both
present lie did not SHIN me. A
stranger would never have suspected
what We had been to each other.
was Sc, erely banned for my con,
duct; and many OF my tOrmor warm-
est companions loONed coldly upon me.
il was easy to see Captain Cleveland
would not iack for consolation from the
most beautiful and attractive young
ladies' in town. They made no : cret
Ol their pity for, and admiration OF HIM
aud if he was not convinced that all
girls were not as tickle and hcarIieSS rs
one had proved herself it was certain
y not their fault.
In truth, he was noble.looking man
tall, dark, and handsome, with cult
waited manners, and u bearing sugges-
tive of power and scl:rciance.
| allowed it to myself, evon the first
time saw hm after that cvcntiui even
inr. and namcless slmethng-l
would not call it regrct-arosc III my
breast felt strange thrill Of pleas
ure fow evenings after, that should
have awakened some uncomfortable
suspicious, when learned that lac
thought me beautiful, lie said it in
careless way enough, for | overheard
him, and turned Immediately to Grace
Clifton, the most beautiful girl present,
and lovely rs beautiful, and devoted
himself to her the entire evening. Nci-
thor did it end there; for the next
month he was with her constantly, ri
ding, walking sailing attending her to
and fro from the house Of her many