Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-01-26
MISCELLANY.
MY PLAIN LOVER.

was a cCquctte. Many lovers heart
had laccrated by refusing his offer Of mar
rage after had lurcd him to declaration.
8ly last victims name was James Frazer.
lie was a tall, awkward, hOmely, ungainly
man, but his heart was true as steel. l
respected hIm highly, and felt panied when
l witnessed his anguish at my rejection OF
him. But the fact was, | had myself fallen
in love with Capt. Elliot, who had been un-
renting in his devotion 70 me. Mr.. James
Frazer warned me against Elliot. but !
charged hIm with jealousy, and took his
warning as an insult.
i few days altei wards Elliot and | were
engaged, and my dream Of romantic love
seemed to be in a fair way Of realization.
| had a week Of happiness. Many have not
20 much In a lifetime.-Many awake from
the bright, short dream to find themselves
IN lifelong darkness, and bondage from
which there Is no escape. Thank God, WIS
not as miserable as they
My mother was widow in good cIrclm-
stances, but having very bad health. She
was also Of an easy, listless, credulOus ma
ture-hating trouble, and willing to take
things just as they happened to present
themselves. She therefore made 10 inquir-
les about Capt. Elli0t-but iondly believed
that, lnasmuch as he was a captain, he must
necessarily be q man Of honor also, especial
ly as he had served in .thc CrImea and in In
dia, and won metals. His regiment was
quartered in our neightorh Cd, and he had
the reputation OF being one Of the wealth
lest, as he was certainly tie handsOmest,
offer IN it. | remember well the day we
became engaged. lie was on duty, but had
managed to ride over 10 our house IN lis un-
liorm, and while We were walking IN
garden be made the tender ayOwdl refer
red hlm to a. mamma - he hastengd to her
returned IN thee minutes, and led me in
10 her presence to receive the assurance that
the maternal consent had been readily and
freely given. Ny dear mother hated trouble
and she moreover loved me tonderly; 60 that
she was well pleased to find husband pre-
senting himself in q form and manner ap-
parently 50 eligible for her beloved and only
daughter.
Well, week passed qnite delightfully."-,
as have said and At the expiration ol this
lhere might Lave been seen gay equestrian
party Wipding through our old DeTOnshiTe
woods and quiet country roads. Elliot and
/ led the cayalcade. rode my own beauti-
ful brown Boss. Captain Elliot was mount
Cd on a handsome black horse that had been
sent him from London Following u was
merry beyy Of girls and their cavaliers
and among them was tall, awkward and
silent James Frazer. His presence had mar
red all the pleasure Of my ride, and ! was
glad 10 be IN advance of them all that
might n0t see MIN.
And 50 VIC rode on through the woods,
and listened, well pleased, 10 the low but
animated words of the gallant Elliot, who
wished himself q knight and me a faire
ladye Of the olden time, that he might 90
forth to do battle and compel all mcr to re-
cognize the claims Of his peerless love. Very
eloquently he spoke Of the inspirations Of
love, Of the brave deeds and pcrIlOus exploits
It had prompted, wishing again and again
that he might proclaim and maintain his
love before the world. IL pleased me to lis
ten TO this and to believe It sincere, though
surely had no wish to put my lover to such
test. i shot suddenly rang through
the woods and a wounded bird, darting past,
huttered and iell at the feet Of brown Bess.
With bound and spring that nearly un-
seated me. she WAS of.
Struggling to regain my seat, ! had no
power 10 pheek her, and even as she few,
the fear and madness OF the moment grew
upon her. | could only cling breathlessly
to name and bride, and wonder helplessly
where this mad gallop was to end. She
swerved from passing wagon, and turned
INTO path that led to the river. In the
sudden movement the reins had been torn
IRON my hands and could not regain them.
elung to the name and closed my eyes,
that | might not behold the fate that await
Cd NE. How sweet was life in those pre-