Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-10-30
DEPARTURES.
Only n Joke.
,srl.ryoxrAIsr Eansoap

'sAnd when are you to be married, Annie?'
asked my friend Lucy, as L carefully laid
aside my bridal veil and waeath which had
been showing her.
There was something in the tone Of her
voice that struck a pang to my heart, though
/ knew not why, and | answered hastily, while
the warm blood mounted to my cheeks
''In two weeks from tomorrow evening g
nothing happens to prevent"
And that there will be anything happen
you do not expect?" said Lncy, looking Sc
riously into my face.
'Of course not, why should i, dear? Two
weeks is not very lengthy period certainly,
and before half that time has expired Walter
is coming to Elton
"Are YOU sure of this?" queried Lucy.
"As sure as we are of anything" | replied.
"Are you prophecies? Can you peer into
futurity, and tell me if there is any reason
why this shall not be so?'
II am no prophecies" sighed Lucy, land
yet"
"And yet, tclatg" / demanded impatiently,
irritated by her manner
add yet, Walter may never come to you.
If he should not" she did not finish the
sentence, but fixed her eyes sternly on my
face.
"There are no IFS about it," said. ''What
has taken possession of YOU that YOU appear
so Strangely"
Il dare not tell YOU" was the slow spoken
reply, "but to-day | have learned something
dreadful
"Dreadfull What can it be? Walter, no
nothing has happened to him, am sure Tell
me, do not torture me a moment
"Walter-"
s.What. Lucy? i shall 90 crazy-you'll kill
me if YOU do not tell mel" cried, grasping
her hands and holding them firmly.
Walter is married.
"Married. Lucy-married-i that all? Did
YOU think to frighten me with such an absurd
story as that! Shame | laughed hysteri-
cally as | said this, and tears gushed freely
from my eyes.
1T is true, Annie; | read it into to-day S
paper. Mr.. Walter Mayo to Miss-Miss-I
can't think
hand again.
yes, that was the name. They were mar
ried in London
Have you seen the paper? lcannot credit
what YOU have seen. l must read tread 1t
myself"
She drew it from her pocket and pointed
to the marriage list. My eyes seemed start
ing from their sockets as | read. My senses
were not to be trusted, it could not be, and
yet, and vet there it was, plain, simple, and
indisputable: "Mr. Walter Mayo, OF Elton, to
Mss Ellen Stickney, of London"
Walter Mayo--my, nay Walter, married to
the proud. wealthy, city belle
''Go from me, Lucy, please" / said, turning
away Forget this-me-gol"
staggered to a chair as she left the room.
pressed my hands to my throbbing temples.
/ tried to believe myself in the midst of some
horrid dream from which should soon awaken.
would not keep back the tears; would not
suppress my wild sobs of grief; / would let
them come-the dreadful spell would sooner
pass away But no. there was no change.
My heart grew heavier every moment. The
| light that streamed in at the window was not
that of the early morning upon which my eyes
had Just opened. There were sounds Of busy
life about the house: the children were out on
the grassy lawn. l had heard their merry
shout. and watched them at their play nearly
| all the long summer afternoon. There were
flowers on INV table: real flowers that my little
brother brought me in the morning, when the
/ dew was on them. | was awake, alive a
reality. Before my eyes was proof of my
wretchedness-in my hands held it God
pity me, it was real, real.
MIR. Walter Mayo to Miss Helen Stckney.'
that was all but my heart was breaking. My
/ brain whirled like a maniac's. This mighty
truth clasped itself about everything. 1t was
within me and around me-aboye and beneath
me. There was no leaving it, no forgetting
it. There was no rest for me; constantly my
heart must bear up its terrible load of grief
And yet it was no WONDER / thought
while the calmness of despair settled upon
me. " no wonder that he should prefer the
brilliant, accomplished city belle to meme
the simple, quiet, unpretending country girl
l had often heard him praise her, she was like