Wabash express. [volume] (Terre-Haute, Vigo Co[unty], Ind.) 1841-186?, 1860-06-20
WRITTEN FOR rHE wABAsH ExPREss
ThePOrtrait, or an Authors COurtship.
2 Y A La D. /.
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sn1ar CHAPTER VII a1
Three weeks later Mr.. and Mrs. r. an,
Edith were sitting in her library. The lat
ter, after several Intellectual attempts to be
come interested in the book she was read
ing, laid it aside, mused little whil
then asked her mother if her father Away
fulfilled his promises and came to see he
when he said he would.
Certainly. my dear"
"Suppose. while he " as paying his ad
dresses to yeu that he had designated al
evening which he would spend with you
and did not do it. nor send you any apol
ogy for the non performance of his prom
Use. what would you have thought of hi.
conduct"
''I should have thought / had been
treated with insulting indifference, and
should have resented it by never allowing
him an opportunity to slight me again.
When gentleman makes an engagement
with lady, and does not fulfil it, and Of
fers no apology for it, if the woman has
any spirit she will resent 1t as an insult"
"Mr. Villeneau promised to visit me one
day this week, and now it is Saturday, he
has not come and have not heard from
him. l am the more surprised at it as for
months there has not been such a length
of time elapse between receiving his let
ters. What construction can / put upon
his singular behavior2"
''If he has professed high respect for
you, you must think that his conduct is
inconsistent with his professions, and tn at
he has not shown you proper respect, that
kind of respect which is due lady from
a gentleman. If were in your place l
would give Mr.. Yilleneau to uud erstand
that | would not be trifed with. He'll
like you all the better for it. If he TINS
early begins to neglect you the sooner you
Danish him from your heart as unworthy
your love the BETTER"
"If really thought that he Intentionally
neglected me I'd let him know that he is
not as necessary to my happiness as he
may think he is. But can in no other
way account for his mysterious silence"
As she said this she took off the ring
which yillenau had put upon her finger.
Mr.. Romayn witnessed the act with feel
ings Of i'll concealed pleasure.
Yes, my child" he remarked, che has
neglected you. New York is
not so Ear distant from Newark but what
he could have, should think, come as
well as not. If he could not he should
have written, aud explained why he could
not have kept his engsgem ent. He has
done neither I am convinced that he is
trifing with the highest, holiest affections
Of your nature, and should be treated &C.
cordingly."
II will write to him this very evening,
and tell him in what contempt hold per.
son who has no regard for his word, one
that will not keep his engagements, and
that | will not be trifed with by such a
man, II he is an honorable gentleman he
will see me and explain all, If he does not
shall think that have made a lucky es.
cape"
II commend your spirit, my child, write
Immediately. Your letter cannot be too
severe. | lam glad that you have all the
pride, as we'll as the dec .,oI r
which are the distinguishing traits OF the
Romayn family" said Mr.. Romayn, as he
glanced slyly at his wife.
The same evening a traveller, weary aud
faint, alighted from his horse at a country
inn located in q small village in Vermont.
After part aking Of some refreshments he
retires to his room. He takes from his
pocket a small miniature, and gazes upon
IL.
"Womao. what a mysterious power is
thine, and what potent influence dost
thou exert over the heart as well as the
destinies Of him who loves you. Edith,
did God ever send upon earth such bright
angel as you are, to be the light Of beau
tiful, but to me desolate home, or to make
melody in q more lonely heart than minef
How could | have lived so long without
you, and been satisfied with life? | will
try to make you very happy, my greatest
blessing, my earthly treasure, my all.
wonder what you would say if you knew
hat possessed this? You, who declared
that you would never give your picture tc
any gentle man because he would promise
to look at it every day and it would be
temptation to do wrong, for hs would sure
ly violate his word. Wouldn't gOu thi nk
me silly il you knew that l not only looked
at it, but talked 10 this miniature daily
tell it all my plans for the future just as i
was talking with living person.
Won't you be surprised when / take yor
to our elegant home in France. 1T is nea
enough to Paris to combine the advanta
ges of city and country. Ihope you viii
be satisfied with it. / have consulted you
tastes, as far as knew them, in its furni
ture and embellishments. OF all thing
that will please me the most will be to SCI
your look Of surprise when open my stud.
door, and your eyes rest upon that exqul
site portrait Of Pene's. Won't you b
amused when you see the arrangement
the furniture in that room. My chair
placed that every time cast my eyes up
wards they gaze into your face. near min
your sewing chair and work basket, i
which 1 have put a thimble, needles an
thread. Your open writing desk looks
if you had just left IT,
Everything has been thus arranged
that when / become tired Of study, an
wished for rest. my eyes would be delight
ed by gazing upon objects that would B
suggestive Of you. Edith how my hea
clings 20 you. Sweeter than the breath
fame is your voice to my ear. wonder
you regretted as much as did, that vi
called away this week, and could not nal
my contemplated visit to you. am
lmpatience to return to New York. for
.a,,aa ,be,a will be n letter awaiting .