Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1864-07-01
Fer the Delaware Gazette
FALSE FRIENDS.
BY 'iMIssoURI VEssIR.


since listened to the words that made mine
the happiest heart that ever beat. YES, mine
is the oft-told story of love, that was born with
the world and will never grow old.
Charles Holland was a young physician,
who had but few months before my story
opens become resident of our little town, and
was acknowledged by all to be the handsomest
man and the best match in Trenton. He
was not wealthy, on the contrary he de-
pended on his profession for livelihood; but
be was the soul of integrity, and had not a
single fashionable vice, by which term l be-
Iieve gambling and other excesses are deSig
mated. Of course all the girls as in duty
bound, fell in love with him at sight
among the number,-and strange to say, be
fancied only me. ave met by chance, the
usual way and admiration deepened into
love, "though neither told the other so,' and
each was unconscious that the love was ma
tual. But the course of true love never did
run smooth, and ours was no exception to The
rule. We met occasionally at parties, and he
had visited me several times.
An old schoolmate of mine, Lu. Gray,
lived with her widowed mother about q mile
from Trenton, and though we were not on
terms of intimacy, were excellent friends
One evening when she was visiting me, DR..
Holland called, but seeing my friend soon ex-
cused himself and left. As he closed the door,
Lu sprang up and placing her arm caressing-
ly around me exclaimed, "Ah Vessie pre-
vented tete tete. Confess now you are
sorry was here
laughed, assured her was not, and re-
marked that "this was not his first visit and l
hoped would not be the last" A strange
CLEAN shot from her eyes as 1 spoke and after
few playful jests she departed. l little
thought as she kissed me good night that
| like Judas, she kissed but to betray- After
that, she was unusually friendly, and was con-
stantly sending me little notes, full Of gay non
sense, which always ended by assuring me of
her undying affection. A few evenings after
the visit above mentioned, DR.. Holland
again called, and thought him more tenderly
respectful than every before. But after that
his visits suddenly ceased, and for some weeks
saw him no more, except as we CHANGED to
meet on the street and then be passed me
with distant bow.
A short time after LUIS visit to me her
brother was taken suddenly ill, and DR.. Hol-
land was called to see him. 1t was during
this time and after, that his coldness to me
was first remarked. Alas fer my foolish little
heart! loved him, as women of my nature
only love, passionately and forever. l wer-
dered and grieved till my soul was sick, and
at last ceased going into society, for all gay
ETY. was meckery to me. Don't sneer kind
reader, I'm not writing fashionable love
story in which every word, look and heart
throb are measured by rule, but am telling
an DER true tale of the sorrows and Woes OF two
who loved wisely and well.
I One morning 1 received note from Lu
saying she would call that afternoon and talk
me nome with her for few days. twas
welcome invitation, for thought any chang
' would be relief. She came, and we wer
soon on our way to her home. When passing
down the street we came suddenly to DI
Holland.
He bowed and was passing on, when L
i gaily accosted him, with, doctor. you mus
come out to the Willows "a name she ha
given her home) have stolen Vessie for
few days, and she may find it lonely, with onl
me-" ''Oh, thank you" he replied, Il shall b
Z most happy to do so," and bowling, abrupt
ne hurried away. "Oh, Lu," 1 exclaimed whe
be was gone, ''why did you ask him ? l mus
go back can never meet him there !" "Wh
Vessie, what is the matter ?" asked Lu, innt
e Gently. "What has happened? l though
T. you we're excellent friends. What will
= think if he comes and you are not there
l saw at once there was no escape. | VIZ
r too proud to let him see that | avoided hiu
ne and consented to go. But all my pleasur
was gone, and though l tried to cOnver
gaily, I.u rallied me unsparingly on my al
r. straction.
We strolled leisurely through the wood
gathering here and there flower, and Whe
at last we reached the Willows tea had BET
waiting US some time. In talking to MI
Gray and listening to the noisy prattle of Ii
tie Willie, the time wore pleasantly avs
= and L had almost forgotten my griefs, till ju
as we rose from the table DR.. Holland al
SerIe Newton were announced.
Il
Once more thought was safe, and Sel
,sd and were conYersing gaily, when sudden
DR., Holland exclaimed, Ladies, would y
not enjoy a walk Miss Vessie, will you {
cept my services ?" and before | could reco
er from my surprise, he had drawn my al
ss within his own, and Serle appropriating 1
= we strOlled through the shrubbery till we ca
to rustic arbor, almost hidden by covert
and Of honey suckls and clematis. Here he 81
I. denly paused, and clasping my hands in b
- exclaimed, "Vessie, came here tonight
'sO meet you. have Stunned you for q til
and was told that you despised me, and
= presence was distasteful to you, why, |
:" not know But will tell my story, and J
shall decide my fate"
He paused. His face was pale as mari
OF and he grasped my hands so tightly that
81 almost crushed them.
Again he spoke ''Vesaie, you must kr
=, that love you, passionately, mAdly, h
T.! loved you since the day We first met.
- without you would be aAcurse II ] must
you, pray God that l may die. l had
. ways hoped to win your love for | fanced
we're not Indifferent to me.
d bat you remember my meeting Miss q