American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1866-01-03
THE LAST BECOME FIRST.


Willis Green, Che was too young for her
" now,) and was about to be married to a
leading PhiIadelphian, widower, who
had cone to the village on business con-
nected with cotton | would not believe
it. HCotton," money" "widowers,'
4 distinguished position what had they
to do with so beautifuland proud a crea
- ture, whose every thought should be a
romance? | would, at least strive gal
antly for the prize. So l made haste to
Wardvilc
1t was q rosy evening in the last of May
that approached the honse ofthe Wards,
to which had been invited by the cot
ton factor, who had called on me at the
hotel, ignoring my past in view of my
present. The sun had sunk from view,
but his warm light still deluged the gar
den which lay at one side, spot Of per-
fume and bloom, as | walked up the ave-
nue. leading to the portico. Looking at
this garden with beating heart, to calm
myself with its quiet, | saw a young la
dy, in white dress, sitting in little
temple, looking at the western sky. Was
it Evelyn? Yes! My heart throbbed
duhtbI1 ihGu pu lSC UNtICpluS
me, | walked quickly along the garden
path to the entrance of the temple. Hear
- ing my step, she turned More beauti-
ful than ever! the same deep.blue eyes,
and waves of glistcning hair NOT a year
older-as fresh, as lovely, and $50 it
9seemed) more gentle and gracious than
of old. The chilling hauteur had all
melted from her department.
Oh, joy the rosy smile and blush which
rippled over her face, sent the delicious
foretaste Of my happiness to my eager
soul.
Mr. Ballaert, now, not Maurice" she
said, very soft and low, holding out her
hand, aud looking on the ground
| took her hand | kissed it thrice, a
dozen times it was not withdrawn
'Do not be so kind to me, | said, cor
shall not have the strength to be wise.
/ have loved you SO long-so many years
so deeply, that your first smile will
bring my love down in a torrent to over
whelm you" | was not looking at her
now, for had sunk to my knees, and had
my face bowed upon her hands "Eve-
lyn, do | dare hope that you are listening
to me 2"
There was an effort to withdraw the
hands; looked up; her face was pale,
aud the tears were running down her
cheeks.
ut is not Evelyn" she srid, "it is
little Gracie' Did you not know me 2"
sprung up, looking like a fool, l
dare say.
4"Did you not know that Evelyn is to
he married to morrow Z"
Then, when | did not answer, with a
tren be of the lip
a 81 am sorry for you, Maurice; indeed
Iam.'
But, was not sorry for myself. l
p, stood step or two apart, my face turned
away. The pain, the despair pictured
upon it, | could not endure should be
read even by hose soft eyes. did not
heed, carcely heard those sweet ,unsel
fish words-'I am sorry for you, Maur-
ice indeed, indeed | am" Those other
words; Evelyn is to be married to-mor-
row, rung in my ears until everything
grew dark about me.
Presently heard voices and laughter
Gay, ripping tones, which | knew too
well, sounded in the direction of the
house / looked, anu saw Evelyn step
ping from an open window into the gar.
den, followed by the man who was to be-
come her husband on the morrow. He
was bald, fat, 'and forty he had
the air of man of the world, and OF
dealer in cotton. Evelyn seemed perfect
ly eontented with him, as she hung upon
his arm, smiling at his remarks.
They came directly toward the sum
mer, house. Some way-I . not ex-
plain it to myself grew cooi, and gath
cred all my faculties about me as they
approached ! could not only criticise
the lover but the beloved Evelyn had
changed. She was older, and the haugh
tiness, the woridineSs, had increased
there was something almost supercilious
in her smile and knew that her heart
was more engaged with the bridal fan
cies, and the city splepdors about to fol
low, than with the sacredness, the awe,
the joy of her new position.
As they slowly sauutered along, talk
ing Of some arrangement for the morrow,
my eyes turaed from them to the young
girl on the bench. She was making a
great effort to put the trouble out of her
face, but, as ! regarded her, burning
blush SWEPT over cheek and brow.
Atsight of that began to realize the
position ia which my rash avowal had
plaeedher. Supposing my declaration
addressed to herself, she had allowed me
( to see that it would not have been dis
tasteful and now, terrible shame de-
voured her. How beautiful she looked
in that maiden shame My heart was
touched with a pity as deep as that which
she had avowed for me. And when Lv-
elyn came up, and recognized me Gin my
new position,) with warmth she had
never before shown, even going so far in
her welcome as to declare was just the
one she wanted to pair off with pretty
girl as an attendant at the wedding,
revulsion, as curious IS it was sudden and
: abiding, took place IN me- Explain it
who may, it was nevertheless true, that
{ in that hour my old passion was as com
pletely oblIterated as If it pever had been,