The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-04-24
The Broken Engagement.

dreamy spell beneath the sunny skies of Italy, and
gazed with swelling rapture upon its artistic hills Ihad
spent hours in watching the gay gondoas they darted
through the sparkling canals OF Venice and when the
bright crescent moon threw its soft syerght uponthe
hills in innocent amusement had whispered love songs
into the ever willing of ltalys darkeyed beauties
But after the novelty had off even with all these
pleasant ways of ''king time, was not entirely happy
longed to be again at home, amid home scenes and
home pleasures These beauties of the old world which
have been so mastery pictured by the poets pen will
do to pass away our idle time but home is the only place
for true happiness and thas eagerly yearned to be
once more at home.
This evening all the members of the family we're
gathered in the sitting room; cheerful fire was burning
in the CRATE and deverythingappeafed cheerful and home
varied had gradually ceased and now each one seemed
to be deeply engaged with their own thoughts At
length my sister Fanny broke the silence the thought
just came to her mind and exclaimed:
"Oh, Alfred, forgot to tell you. We are to have
wedding shortly in our little town.
'WhO?" / careessy asked for did not think any
ones wedding would concen me much.
'Air Norton and Marian Clifford, +" she replied.
'Who?" gasped, as my heart almost created its beat
ing for with that were linked many pleasant
memories Of the past
"0nly Marian Clifford brother she responded ''but
you seem to be greatly affected BY the disclosure"
'Oh, not at all, | answered, with much careless
ness as could at the moment assume, for did not
want them to discover my secret love, but think this
room is oppfessivey warm"
Quite So auntingly reiOined Fanny, when our deep
meditations have let the fire die out"
$50 it has Irepied throwing rather vicious glance
at the now blacbcned fire. ''but feel unwe this even
ing l think | shall retire" And with these words
procured light and started for my Asl closed
the door behind me, could hear Fanny trying to sup
press her laughter. But once in my room, / thought
little of her. placed the light upon the toilet and
leaning my head my hand | fell into deep study
The news of Marian Clifords prospective marriage
had fallen with deadenng weight upon my heart. She
was the only being had ever loved. From the first
time met her, then only ramping boy Of fifteen,
had claimed her mine, and now under ten years test
that boyish love had grown and rpcned into uanhoods
deep seated affection. Not of the many beautiful
women had gazed upon until almost bewildered by
their wondrous beauty could occupy the place she held
in my heart. 1t was the remembrance of her bright
ewes and sweet smiles that drew me home And now
that prepared to lay this deep love at her feet she
would eoldy reject it. and another claim her his bride
OH the thought was heart rending The came to
my ewes, but hurredly dashed away almost ashamed
to own that weak women could move so deeply.
stood there motioness and statue like until the mid
night hour had passed. cared not to retire, for /
could not sleep. almost wished that was dead, and
happy would have been had Inever reached that home
for which Onged so ardenty to see-home that bright
beacon which had lured from my wanderngs proved
nothing but craggy, rock bound shore. Home, there
II expected
again to realise its meaning, to experience the comfort
and happiness in that home which every man looks for
ward to in the future. The being that | had hoped
would brighten that home with her gentle smiles and
heavenly influence would soon be the happy wife OF
another ustre of her purity and ytuous charms
would shine for him in his home, while would be a
dreary old bachelor silently weeping and mourning
my early lost love.
At FIRST had resolved to never let Marian know oil
this love, but then bright thought nrudcd rsefupon
my sorrow and eagerly grasped at this faint hope
had heard nothing definite in regard to her marriage
only what Fanny had said. Probably it was report
only groundess rumor l knew that she loved me
before / went away. | it in many different ways
in her loving manner in her bluShng cheek and in the
fearful eye when bid her farewell Could it be that
she had sacrificed this love for worldly ambition? No
she was too war-hcarted for that; but probably she
thought had love for her and this had hurried
to an I-tmed marriage With a reboundng heart
grasped this happy thought Inever had plainly tolC
Marian that had loved her, bat still had shown it il
thousand little acts which could never be interpreted
for anything else than pure love II my desire tG
tell her of my love, and have correspondence during
my absence; but then wished not while both
so young to bind her to engagement which, in more
mature years, she might regret; although if she really
loved me- she would Mt least wait before marrying until
returned And with these thoughts | took leave Of
her as did of my most distant friends though my
heart almost bursting to clasp her to my bosom and
tell her Of my love.
I The night had worn away, and some hours OF the
morning had passed when the consong thoughts some
what cooled my heated mind and lay down to res
with the resolve that would see her, tell her of my
devotion explain all, and then, if the love offered was
refused, would hurry it from the world forever. As
lay there still unable sleep, thought how sweety
Marian slumbering probably dreaming of the brgh
future and the happiness Of welded life, while l wa
passing sleeplcss night in the most distressing agony
But could have seen into her chamber how dferen
IL, G,a boI hnn aoCly
the whole night not, | imagined in pleasant dream:
Of her future happiness She had at last sobbed herse
into an uneasy eyersh slcep the quiverng tears which
still remained her long eyeashes and the deep usl
on her burning cheek, told TOO well the misery Of tina
| young heart.
As she rolled from side to side in her unrefreshn9
slumber she would throw her arms wildly about her
and call upon Alfred to her from this fate and thel
again her dreams would appear take another turn
sweet endearng words would fall from her lips wh
happy smile broke those beautiful features. Some
times while in this delightful sumber she would awake
and find it only dream, and then the dreadful re
aty would flash to her mind she would shed bitter tear
of sorrow Thus YEARLY passed that night, and man
nights since sheh had engaged herselfto Mr.. Norton.
n The parents of Marian wished to see her comfortab
settled in life before they should leave this world, an
they had advised her to accept the hand of Mr. Norton
But had they known that she loved any one else the
would not have said one word to mar her happiness
And she was too proud to acknowledge that she love-
when she had not received any manifestation of its re
cprocation And thus, from sense of duty to he
parents, she had promised to marry whom sh
loved and respected as friend but for whom she ha
not that affection which is necessary to insure happy
connubal life.
From the time returned home had delayed it on
month longer my happiness would have boon irrUteHa
bIy lost but there yet time to attempt rescue
and determined to improve these precious moments
even to the sacrifice of anothess love. | knew MI
Norton to be noble pure-hearted man. and feltsur
that if he knew Marian loved me- he would resign hi
claim upon her though the sacrifice cost him many year
Of bitter anguish But still thought not of his disar
nointment and sorrow; my own happiness at stake
and would put forth my abcs efforts ere would Civ
up all hope.
The morning following the evening of my return,
was seated IN the little paror deeply absorbed in m
avn thoughts / was thinking how could see Marian
for dreaded to have my mind in such suspense Aread
had committed several bunders and the family wer
beoinning to notice and enquire the cause of my al
stracted manner III had not heard Of her engagemer
would not have hesitated moment in going and pair
" stating nv ease but no one knew that held he
icarer than friend and such hasty visit SC soon afe
nv return, under the circumstances would cause cor
siderable gossip in our little neighborhood; and if m
offer was refused after such desperate effort wshe
no one to know it.
As lay upon the sofa trying to devise some plan
overcome this difficulty heard the gate leading frol
tbe street shut as if some had entered. / hastil
n. G., dram tnt ha win Nv hpai