The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1866-11-14
The Broken Engagement,
BY AMILIE PETIT.

No, Carrie, "not even bud" can I
spare from my peerless rose. No doubt,
ii seems selfish to keep them all, when
you so much desire single one. You
have been very kiDd to me, darling, since
my illness, Frightening by your presence
and sympathy many dark hours Of suffer.
ing. The rose.trce shall be yours, when
my nights have become days in that 9TH
er land Since little Eva was IN, prat.
Ting Of your two lovers, / have had q
story to 'ell you; if you have leisure to
remain, ! think | feel strong enough to
relate it now. Raise my head a little,
please; that will do nicely-thank you.
II will be twelve years tomorrow,
since my twentieth birth. day. Your
mother was one day past eighteen, but we
always celebrated the festivals together.
Upon this occasion uncle gave US grand
party. ! dressed early, for my betrotbed,
Lawrence Elmore, had promised to come
begore the company arrived, and bring
flowers. ! anticipated something beauti.
full, for his taste was exquisite. He came,
bringing bouquet Of halfopen rose.
buds and blue violets; besides this, q
branch from rose.tree, bearing .bree
fragrant white buds, just ready to expand
into full flower. The buds he insisted
upon twining with his own hands among
my braids and ringlets, which he accom-.
plishcd with wonderful skill, making the
green leaves and snowy buds CLEAN here
there among my dark curls in way that
won praise and admiration from all "My
taste was commended again and again,
and laughed the compliments off as
best could for TO no one, not even your
mother, had told the secret Of my en-.
gagement. Lawrence was clerk, indus.
trious and economical. Still, he deemed
it not prudent to marry in less than two
years, and insisted that II we waited SC
long the engagement should not be made
putltc. My only motive was to avoid
The comments and discussions of acquaint
ances.
Our party passed pleasantly: the re
freshments, music, flowers, everything
were admirable; the company were il
fine sTirits, and nothing occurred to make
tia dark hour in my life. Among thu
guests was Mr.. HuetOn, just returned
from heightened tour in South Ameri
ca.
Early in the evening he was introduced
10 me. end entertained me greatly will
accounts Of wild adventures and tropica
scenery. Several times, during the eve
ming, We were thrown together, and tina
subtle something which tells a maidel
when she has won new admirer, told m,
that Lewis Hueton would pursue the 40
quaintaDce. Months Of gaiety followed
and people begar to notice the attention
Hueton paid me. Lawrence was seldom
present; books and study occupied hi
time, save when be spent quiet eveniu,
With me. These evenings became les
frequent, for went out constantly -
There was new charm in the devotio
of the wealtbiest, best educated man of th
set. I never stopped TO think where
was drifting One day, some six month
after our party, beautiful bouquet wa
sent me, with note, had not see
&, my betrothed for two weeks, and said I
myself, he has sent this to say he is com
ing tonight. opcued and read
"CLARA With the flowers, accep
the devotion of one who would be NOR
than your friend.
LEWIS HUEToN.
The paper fell from my startled finger
ard for the FIRST time in months I wa
Obliged 10 think. STOPPING to raise III
note, brushed against the rose, whic
with infinite care and patience had rea
ed from the branch worn upon my brit
night. The gentle touch Of the leavt
T upon my cheek smote me like blow.
All the day was spent in thought. Law
renee argued, does not really love M
or he would be more attentive. hay
scarcely seen him for two months, and b
is becoming SO quiet and distracted tbl
bis visits are not as pleasant as formerl
Why should my youth and beauty
wasted in planning little economies, as
clerks wife, when as Mrs. Hueton, cvel
wish would be gati6ed At evenin
having s,iaed love and conscience,
dressed to meet Mr.. Hueton. He can
told me bow / had grown into his q
Q fechons, and offered heart and hand f
J: my acceptance. did not then accept b
: proposal, though | gave him reason to g.
pect my answer would be favorable, if m
relatives were pleased.
Before sleeping, / wrote to Lawrenc
(: saying as gently as possible, that couI
= not happily share his lot that, brougl
up in luxury, though having no iortul
Of my own, I could not cheerfully labo
as / ought, to make his salary suffice Fl
us; therefore asked freedom from n
engagement. Three days later a rep
! came, in the following words:
y "CLARA My best beloved-You a
: free. ! have nothing Of yours to retur
|. save bit Of blue ribbon that once Ii,
Q your curls. / retain that.
LAwRENoE."
/ felt, instiuctively, that my freedo
had been purchased at the price of nc
\ tai anguish to another, and would glad
i have undone my work. Shutting myss
: from every eye, that day, did not wee
. but suffered mono the lehs that tears We
: denied me. The evening brought N
Huetop, and with the hearty approval
my uncle and aunt, was again beirothe
Lewis urged an early marriage, but an
insisted that four months was the lea