Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-03-02

Maine with him.
q 4. 4
The years few quickly BY. Harry. by hi,
industry and unremitting attention to business
at the age Of thirty found himself partner in
the firm for which he had so faithfully labored,
while Maine. pe!ted and earessed by Mrs.
Evermore as though she had been her own
daughter, and watched over by Harry with
more than brothers tenderness, WAS fast APP
preaching her seventeenth year. and blooming
into woman of more than ordinary beauty.
Mrs. Evermore's house was the resort of
the wealthy and fashionable Of Nashville, and
Maime's debut was the occasion for grand
gathering of the elite of the city, and, with
one accord, she was acknowledged the reign
ing beauty.
Harry saw her triumph now unmixed with
pain. He scarcely knew why. but while he
was proud to set her the centre of attraction
of adniring througs of young meh, he could
not look upon her thus surrounded without a
feeling of strange sadness.
Among those who became her constant at
chdants was one james Wilder. young man
Of twenty-five or three, rich, handsome and
accomplished, and possessing in an eminent
degree, all those qualities that attract wo-
man.
This snitor, it soon became evident to Harry,
sas preferred by Maine far above all others,
and he could Bee her eyes brighten at his pre-
scnee in manner they were not accustomed
to do, at that Of others, and he felt no doubt,
in bis own mind, that before many weeks she
aud young Wilder would 6e publicly betrothed.
When this idea had fixed itself in bis mind,
he, for the first time, became aware Of the
true state of bis feelings towards his protege,
and, n.addencd at the idea OF losing her, he
resolved te leave her presence at once, and,
in other scenes and places, try to forget her,
or his love for her
The firm was about to open a branch house
at Cincinnati, and he announced his desire to
take charge of the new house in person. Mr.
Evcgmore, though astonishcd beyond measure
at this proposition, was. oh business accounts
only too well pleased with it. as he believed
that under Ilarry's guidance the undertaking
would prove successful to the last degree, and
he acceeded to it in hearty manner that was
exceedingly distastefal to his young partner.
though he scarcely knew why.
The ihattcr having been arranged he next
sought Maine to tell her of his intended
change of residence, and found her gaily en-
tertaning young Wilder with an exuberance
Of spirits that at that moment was particularly
disagrceable to him
Throwing himself down in chairhc waited
in gloomy silence until Wilder had taken his
departure, and then asked Maine to take
seat by him.
She drew low stool near him, and, lean.
ing on his knee, looked up in his face with
pleasant smile, expecting to hear as usual,
some cheerful or aficctionate words from him ::
but something in his face caused the smile to
fade away from her, and she asked in con-
ccrn-
"Why, what als you, ITarry?'
Maine" said he. II have just made an
arrangement with my partners of which l
have come to tell you"
"WclI Harry said she quietly
1--WE have opened house in Cincinnati,
and am going to take charge Of it. shall
start in three days
Going to leave here" she cried in aston
ishmcnt. "Leave all our friends, and live
among entire strangers? Why Harry, that
is really terrible, and so short time to pre-
pare, too. ! don't see how ] am to get any
thing like ready in so short time -
Harry passed his hand caresslngIy over
her thick curls for an instant and then shak.
ing his head said =
Il do not intend to be 20 cruel As to tear
you away from all your friends, Maine. l
am going alone"
"And leave me-" cried Maine, aghast
" Leave me here all alone !--you won't do
that, know"
=" Yet must, Maine" continued he. at
would not be prudent. proper OF kind to take
you with me-"
"And why not?' She then asked, impa-
sently. Haven't you always taken care of
ME, and why not now %
"When We came here, Maime," said he,
'you were but tiny little thing and was
your only friend. Now you arc grown to
womanhood. and though am so much older
than you, am still young man. and The
tongue of scandal would have t,o much room
to play were to take you from your friends
here to city where we are both strangers.
Besides. how would Mrs EserhIofs bear the
separation No, think it would be better
for you to remain here till-till you arc mar.
ried . ..t
Il never mean to marry as long as lite,"
cried Maine. passionately, Jumping up aud
running from the room.
In three days, Harry was on his way to his
new hotne. and as soon as he reached bis des-