The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1862-04-23
The Broken Engagement.

the moulderng halls of ancient Greece where learning
end power once stood; had wandered in a kind o
dreamy spell beneath the sunny skies of Italy anC
Cazed with swelling rapture upon its artistic hills IhaC
spent hours watching the gay gondolas they dareC
through the sparkling canals of Venice and when the
bright crescent moon threw its soft silver light upon the
hills in innocent amusement had whispered love songs
into the ever willing ear OF ItayS darkeyed beauties
But after the novelty had worn off even with all these
pleasant ways of killng time was not entirely happy
Ionged to be again at home, amid home scenes anG
home pleasures These beauties of the old world which
have been mastery pictured by the poets peD will
do to pass away idle time but home is the only place
for true happiness; and thus eagerly vearned to be
once more at home.
$ This evening all the members of the family were
gathered in the sitting room; cheerful fire was burning
in the CRATE and cheerful and home
like The conversation, which had been entertaining and
varied had gradually ceased and now each one seemed
D to be deeply engaged with their own thoughts At
length my sister Fanny broke the silence as 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?' | carelessly asked for l did not think anv
ones wedding would concern me much
Mr. Norton and Marian Clifford, she replied
''Who?" gasped, as my heart almost created its beat
ing, for with that name were linked many pleasant
memories of the past.
"Only Marian Clifford, brother, she responded "but
you seem to be greatly affected by the disclosure"
0h, not at all, answered with as much careless
ness as could at the moment assume, for | did not
want them to discover my secret love- 'but think this
room is oppressiyely warm"
Quite So tauntngly reoined Fanny when our deep
meditations have let the fire die out"
so it has Ireplied, throwing rather vicious glance
at the now blackened fire. but feel unwe this even
ing think shall retire. And with these words |
procured light and started for my room As closed
the door behind me- could hear Fanny trying to sup
press her laughter But once in my room | thought
lItsIe OF her placed the light upon the toilet and
leaning my head on my hand fell into deep study
The news of Marian Ciffords 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 rampng boy of fifteen,
had claimed her mine and now under ten years test
that boySh love had grown and rpcned into nanhoods
deep seated affection. Not one of the many beautiful
women had gazed upon until almost bcwiHered by
their wondrous beauty could occupy the place she held
IN my heart. 1t was the remembrance of her bright
eyes and sweet smiles that drew me home And now
that was prepared to lay this deep love herfeet She
would cOldy reject it. and anohercIa heras his bride
Oh! the thought heart rendiug The tears came to
my eyes, but hurriedy dashed away, almost ashamed
TO own that so weak women could move so deeply
stood there moonlcss and statue like until the mid
night hour had passed | cared not to retire. for
could not sleep. almost wished that Twas dead and
happy would have been had Ineyer reached that home
for which onged ardentIy to see-hOme that bright
beacon which had urcd me from my wanderings proved
nothing but craggy, rock bound shore. Home there
was no comfort in that word now. never expected
again 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 be the happy wife of
another and ustre of her purity and vrous charms
would shine for him in his home, while l would be
dreary old bachelor silently weeping and mourning over
my early lost love
At first had resolved to never let Marian know of
this love, but then bright ughintrudcd tsefupon
my sorrow, and ! eagerly grasped at this faint hope
had heard nothing definite in regard to her narriaue
only what Fanny had said Probably it was a report-
only grOundcss rum0r. | knew that she loved me
before went away. | saw it in manv different wavs-
in her loving manner in her busing check and in the
fearful eye when bid her farewell. Could it be that
she had sacrificed this love for worldly ambitiong No
she too warmhearted for that: but probably she
thought had no love for her and this had hurried on
to an l-timed marriage. With a reboundinp heart |
grasped at this happythought Ineyer had plainly told
Marian that had loved her but still had shown it in
thousand little acts which could never be nterpraed
for anything else than pure love Ii was my desire to
tell her Of my love and have a correspondence during
my absence; but then wished not while We were both
so young to bind her to an engagement which in more
mature years she might regret; although if she really
loved me she would at least wait before marrying until
returned. And with these thoughts | took leave of
her, as did of my most distant friends though nv
heart almost bursting to clasp her my bosom and
tell her Of my love.
v, :
morning had passed, when the consoIing thoughts some
what cooled my heated mind and lav down to rest
with the resolve that would 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 sweetly
Marian sumbering probably dreaming of the bright
future and the happiness of welded life, while l was
passing sIeepesS night in the most distressing agony
But could have seen into her chamber how different
it would have been. She too had been awake nearly
H. H. 1,r,s,l, 7
of her future happiness She had last sObbed herself
into uneasy feyersh Sleep the quiverug tears which
still remained on her long eyelaShes and the deep flush
her burning cheek, told too well the misery of that
young heart.
AS she rolled from side to side in her unrcCresbinn
slumber, she would throw her arms wildly about her
and call upon Alfred to her from this fate aud then
again her dreams would appearo take another turn and
sweet endearing words would fall from her lips while
happy smile broke over those beautiful features Some
times while in this delightful sumber she would awake
and find it only dream, and then, as the dreadful re-
aity would flash to her mind she would shed bitter tears
Of sorrow Thus YEARLY passed that night and many
nights since she had engaged hersefto Mr. Norton.
The parents of Marian wished to see her comfortably
settled in life before they should leave this world and
they had advised her to accept the hand of Mr. Norton
But had they known that she loved any one else they
would not have said word to mar her happiness
And she too proud to acknowledge that she loved
when she had not received any manifestation of its re-
ClprOCaLGu anu iuuS, from Il sense dutV to her
parents, she had promised to marry a man whom she
loved and respected friend but for whom she had
not that affection which is necessary to insure happy,
connubal life.
From the time returned home had DELAYED it Gne
month longer my happiness would have been rretrieva
bly, lost but there yet time attempt rescue
and determined to improve these precious moments,
even to the sacrifice Of anothers love | knew Mr. I
Norton be noble pure-hearted man. and felt sure
that if he knew Marian loved me- he would resign his
claim upon her though the sacrifice cost him many years
of bitter anguish. But still thought not of his disap
poinment and sorrow; my happiness was at stake
and would put forth my abcst efforts ere would give
up all hope
The morning following the evening of my return,
was seated in the little paror deeply absorbed in my
own thoughts. ! was thinking how | could see Marian
for dreaded to have my mind in such suspense Already
had committed several bunders and the family
beginning to notice and enquire the cause of my alb
stracted manner If had not heard Of her engagement
would othave hestated moment in going and plain
ly stating my case; but one knew that held her
dearer than friend and such hasy visit 50 soon after
my return under the circumstances would cause CON
siderable gossip in little neghborhood and if my
offer was refused after such desperate effort wished
no one to know it.
As lay upon the sofa trying to devise some plan to
this difficulty, heard the gate leading from