The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1865-11-17

49,. INV w NioiO tnetn, HNlnR Jnt
time in accordance with the plan in
which ] was engaged. SO there
was, betrothed, as it were, but with
out lover, or prospect Of marriage
Was ever a girl so curiously placed
beforep Nothing served to remind
me OF my unprecedented predica.
ment, till the arrival of locket, with
Mr. Ashford's photograph in it -
The day after the fancy ball met
in society gentleman, whose man
ners and conversation were very
pleasing to me. l had frequent op
portunities of seeing him, for he
visited Mt our house. after while,
constantly. was flattered by his
attentions, and he appeared to take
an increasing interest in me. Our
pursuits were the same; he would
sing to my accompaniment, criticise
my drawings, and lend me some of
his own, which had real merit, to
copy. He would read aloud my
favoritc poems TO my mother and my
self, and things were beginning TO
look serious. My parents, hard.
ly knowing whether his attentions
should he encouraged or not, on so
short an acquaintance, were not sorry
to know that they would soon neces
sarily be put stop TO by my depart
ure for my proposed visit to my re-
lations. lie was reading the "Palace
of Art" to me the afternoon that
was going away; my mother had been
called outoi the room; when he made
me n declaration of his love. can
hardly describe what / felt when he
did so, and begged me to tell hun il
he might hope. lie would not have
intruded his feelings upon me SO
soon, had lie net known of my in.
tended absence; but he could not
bear the suspense he must endure,
he said, if l went away without his
assuring me Of his attachment. ]
had seen so much Of him in the three
pleasant weeks that l had known
him, and liked him so well, and fell
such happy auttering at my heart
when he told me of his own feelings
that l began to understand little
the joy Of being loved. which is i'm
possible unless to one who can love
in return, though / could not at the
moment analyze my sensations.
told him that l had known him for
too short time to encourage him tc
hope, but that | was grateful for his
interest in me. What could say
more? However it might he another
time, could not engage myself unit
the extraordinary farce had ended
in which l was to take so promincn
q part. In the momentary embar
raesment the occasion caused, l in
advcrtcnt!y dropped the locket whicl
was fastened to the chain of ny
watch, and usually lay concealed il
my dress, for ] had been playin,
with the chain and had accidentally
drawn out this token of Henry's.--
He stopped to pick it up, and mus
have seen the portrait on one side o
it, for, turning pale, he returned i
to me with the remark, 81 fear / hav,
no chance. This is a sign, doubt
less, that / am doomed to disappoint
ment," and seizing my hand, h
pressed it convulsivelv, and lookin.
at me with an expression of pain an,
regret that | shall never forget, h
suddenly quilted the room. l knc,
that i had loved him after he hat
gone, when i felt the sorrow whicl
the fear of never perhaps seeing hin
again caused me. ] would have Civ
en- much to recall those five or 81,
minutes which had caused Inc S
much pleasure, yet had perhaps rob
bed me OF greater joy. All, why ha
l not told him allp 1t was alway
wiser and better to he perfectly Opel
in these kind Of affairs, particular,
where the heart was engaged, n
mine was. Had been SO, how mucl
suffering would have been spared me
But it was of no use to wish that
had acted differently, ana the mex
day was the one fixed for my journey
! must go on with this miserable
business - there was no DRAWN,
back now, for the day subsequent t,
my arrival at my cousins hous
would be that Of my introduction t.
Henry's uncle. ! must keep up IN,
courage for there was much to b.
done. wish heartily that had no
undertaken what had probably los
me true heart In gratifying th'
whim of the moment, / had ship
wrecked my life's happiness. ! ar
rived at Witchley Mano in yer,
worn out state, ha ing scarcely slep
the night before; and my nerves wer
fearfully strained. 1t appears Hcnr,
had let Mr.. and Mrs. Fortescue int
the secret, and they, though evident
ly not approving of the deceit abou
to be practiccd, had out OF commits
Grafton to him, not seriously oppos
ed it, thinking also that his uncle
conditions and eXactions were yer,
absurd | received great kindness
IRON them both and they did al
they could 20 cheer my spirits
fearing ! was overcome with tn
fatigue Of the heightened railroad
travelling ! had endured. They lit
tie knew what n heavy grief wai
knocking at my brain and heart
how / hated myself for what / ha(
promised to do. Another slecplesi
night--a headache in the morning
and | was in the drawing room will