Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-04-12

village 1Or the lapse OF two weeks. |
came home late one afternoon, to find
Rose sitting by the piano, with her face
hidden in her hands. She was not weep
ing; she was in utter despair. In her
lap lay package of trhes-a book, a
picture of herself, a braid of hair mount
ed for watchguard, and an elegantly
chased ring | had always seen upon
Atherton's finger 1t was all over,
then
| was about to retreat silently from the
room, when she looked up and saw me.
A deep flush covered her pale face, as
she held out her hand to welcome me.
/ 'Do not go, my dear friend | came
here because would noe disturb my
poor blind mother with grief | cannot
help feeling for little while"
sat down beside her She played
with the ring moment, and bitter
smile broke over her lips.
You see them all here" she said,
quietly. "All my gifts are returned
all my gifts, at least, since we were en-
gagged. He is free, now, and only my
brother again. So | have only to be
thankful that it is no worse, and live on
as quietly as can"
"Oh, Rose, can this be true p l cried
Indignantly. +" Has he deserted you for
her p
Her lips tremblcd little at the word.
Yes, | am deserted | suppose. =
have seen how it must be, all along -
How could | expect to keep him, when
she stood before him with her beautiful
face and winning ways? 1t was folly,
and yet dared to do it,"
+" disown her--I never ean--'
Hush hush p she said gently. "If
they love each other, why should we
complain /; oh it is better that it hap
pened now. What should | have felt if
this had come upon me when he was my
husband?"
At that word she faltcrcd little. She
put her hands up to her face, and wept
bitterly. ] was SILENT speeches. through
indignation.
AT first" she went on, after little
pause, II am afraid was very hard and
bitter. But is is different now. | can
say, most truly, The will of God be
done ! loved him too much--I made
him my idol, and now he is taken from
me. Never more shall | sec his face
never again shall ! hear his step in the
chamber above never hear him singing
there the songs | love. lie has gone
he has gone and with him my happi-
ness and hope. Yet not my will, oh,
Father, but thine. Not mine! moi
mirc
All her self-control had vanished =
She flung herself upon her knees, and
lifted her streaming eyes to Heaven.
wept myself, with bitter pain at my
heart, that one Of my own house should
have brought such misery upon her.
could not console hcr-I could only leave
her with the God whose help she invok.
ed SO fervently. | kissed the hand she
placed in mine, and went out from the
room. 1t was my purpose to seek my
cousin, to demand an explanation Of hei
treachery from her, to make her atone
for the injury she had wrought, if it were
possible. 1t was almost a hopeless task
had undertaken; | found it to be SC
when, upon my arrival at her lodgings
found her maid in all the hustle o
packing trunks for her approaching de-
parture to New York.
found Olive lying on the conch in
her dressing-room, with her white hands
clasped above her head, and smile
lingering round her half-parted lips. |
burst in npon her luxurious reveric with
bitter seorn and reproachcs. ] question
if ever, in her whole life, she has had
the truth told her SO plainly since.
She listened lazily and stiacd yawn
when bad finished.
1t is queer welcome, but never
mind" she said at last eff you are
quite done, my dear cousin, perhaps you
will take chair"
Never will ] sit down in your pre-
sence again. | gasped, " till you tell me
you are not going TO marry him p
+" Marry him" she said, looking at
me scornfully. "Do | look like the
wife Of country physician y
And yet you loved him"
She WINGED and colored. My random
shot had taken effect.
4 And if did have some slight fancy
for him, could not afford 10 follow it
out, and / told him 20. ] am going to
marry one Of the richest merchants Of
my native city within a month"
And Alherton"
VIII never trouble me again
/ thought she lookcd-n little moved -
wrung my hands, aud cried out pas
sionaiely-
why, why did you do this, If you
had really no thought Of marrying him ?"
Oh, ono must DO something in the
country, and then he was so handsome"
she said, showing her white teeth wick
cdly
rushed from tho room, and her sill
very laugh followed nc mockisgly. |
an afraid, at that moment, / hated her
in my heart. From that day (and many
a weary year lies between nc and it, I
have never looked rpon her face again,
though / hear Of her often, as living the
same guy, careless, and cruel life az
ever But the time will come--tho time
will come
II was beautiful TO see the way in which
Rose bose this heavy blow. She never
complained she even taught herself to
speak his uauic as iOniy as ever. that