The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1860-12-13

DoCCeU CQlS, tluuSN, T.
have crushed the dawning passion within
nv heart; it's now too late-rich or poor,
nv heart is irrevocably gone, l should
have delayed should have hesitated-
but I feared my brother might speak
first. He is somebody am nobody"
"Your brother, Harry, would have been
rejected" said Lady Maria, dryly; and
L would not willingly offend you, but you
must let me think this but burst of boy
ish passion"
/ staggered as she spoke.
eNo 1 was boy when [ came hero
happy, merry, careless boy-I am now
man, and you have made me so. 1t re
mains for you to decide whether my man.
hood shall be one of glorious happiness, OF
whether l become a desperate and hope
less wretch, whose career upon earth
heaven in it's mercy will shorten"
"Don't! don't !" she cried, "don't say
such wicked things
"They are not wicked, Maria. 1t is
even so. Like the gambler | have unwit-
tingly placed my whole existence ON the
hazard of dic-dcath or life upon wo-
mans smile You may try to deceive
yourself, but You must believcmc. When
once mans eyes have fixed themselves
in love upon YOU, it is forever"
"Harry Harcourt," said Lady Maria,
quickly, II would not believe it true for
all the wealth of the Indies
"Why ?" said I, trembling as if witht
ague.
because I can never be yours" she
continued with deep sigh.
ssYou do not love me, u gaspcd.
Harry Harcout why press me on this
painful subject? I tell You plainly that l
can never-no never be yours"
"But why?"
81 am engaged to another, and shall be
married in month" -
"Ah! I suspected tiny brother" l
shrickcd.
"No; to one you do not know, and
whose name in your present humor,
would rather not mention"
"1Icavcn have mercy on me! Is this
reality, OF some horrid dream! Can it be
true ?-anothcr's" !"
II am very sorry, Harry" she said in
her softest, tcnderest tone; Il should not
have come had l suspected -"
aSorry, sorry" cried "sorry, indeed !!
Why, It's buta boys heart broken-noth-
inc more But-but-is this engagement
irrevocablc?" 7"
*.I have been engaged this twelve
month";" faltercd poor Maria, who really
did feel for me.
"And you love him"
ssIe is a man of noble character; man
to respect rather than love. lie is much
older than am-and yet | had looked
forward with delight to our union as of
one wise and discreet, promising great
happincss-until just now"
"Until just now," l repeated.
eyes, Hary-if that is any satisfaction
to you-know that l regret my precipl-
fancy; should have seen more Of the
world ere l tied myself. Dc not mistake
me- Your passion takes me by surprise,
but had ! been free, gratitude, pride-for
YOU a noble fellow, Harry-would proba-
bly, have led me to return your generous.
your disintcrested affection. 1t is now
too late. My word is irrevocably given,
and to talk even of what might have been
is crime. Not another word, Harry, or
I leaye you Calm yourself, or everybody
will be talking about us. 1 shall leave as
soon as possible. Would that | had not
Gomez
| was stunned, overwhelmed and ami
hilated, felt like some guilty wretch con-
demned to die knew that hope there
was none. Lady MariatTempleton would
not have been so hard, but to temper her
refusal. Anothcr's. 1t was fearful to
think Oft was maddcning, and it nearly
drove me mad When joinedmy broth
er and sister l tried to rally. 1t was but
faint attempt. 1t was no consolation
for me to know that evening Lady Maria
refused him also. piticl him; l piticd
any one who had to endure the torture
of her smile, and knew it was anoth-
er's.
I believe earth has no such other PAIN
as this How | passed over that Christ
mas eve. and how | endured that Christ