Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-09-25
MY PLAIN LOVER.

L naQ lacerateQ Dy reIuSing ms Ouer OF
marriage after had ured him on to a
declaration. My last victim name was
James Frazer. He was a tall, awkward,
homely, ungainly man, but his heart was
true as STEEL respected him highly,
and felt panied when | Witnessed his
anguish at my rejection of him. But the
fact was, had myself fallen in love with
Capt. Elliott, who had been unremitting
in his devotion to me. Mr.. Jas. Frazer
warned me against Mr. Elliott, but /
charged him with jealousy, and took
his warning as an insult 9
A few days afterwarJ Elliott and |
were engaged, and my dream of roman
tic love seemed to be in fair way of
realization. had week of happiness.
Many had not so much in lifetime.
Many awake from the bright short dream
to find themselves in lifelong darkness
and bondage from which there is no es-
cape. Thank God, ! was not to be so
miserable as they
My mother was a widow in good cir
cumstances, but having very bad health.
She was also Of an easy, llstless, credu-
lous nature-hating trouble, and willing
TO take things just as they happen to
present themselves. She therefore made
no inquiries about Captain Elliott-but
fondly believed that inasmuch as he was
a captain, he must necessarily be man
of honor also, especially as he had served
in the Crimea and in India, and won
medals His regiment was quartered in
the neighborhood, and he had the repu-
tation of being one of the wealthest, as
he was certainly the handsomest, officer
in it. | remember well the day we be-
came engaged he was on duty, but had
managed to ride over to oun house in his
uniform, and while we we're walking into
the house he made the tender avowal. |
referred him to mamma [" he fastened
TO her-returned in three minutes, and
led me into her presence to receive the
assurance that the maternal consent had
been readily and freely given. My dear
mother hated trouble, and moreover
loved me tenderiy, so that she was well
pleased to find husband presenting
himselfin form and manner apparently
so eligible for her beloved and only
daughter.
Well, week passed quite delightfully."-,
as / have said, and at the expiration of
this there might have been seen gay
equestrian party winding through our
old Devonshire woods and quiet country
roads. Elliott and led the cavalcade.
| rode my own beautiful b own Bessi
Captain Elliott was mounted on hand
some black horse that had been sent him
from London. Following us was bevy
of merry girls and their cavaliers; and
among them was tall, awkward and silent
James Frazer. His presence had marred
all the pleasure of my ride, and was
glad to be in advance of them all that /
might not see him.
And so we rode on through the woods,
and | listened, well pleased, to the low,
animated words of the gallant Elliot,
who wished himself knight and me a
faire ladye of the olden times, that he
might go forth 10 do battle and compel
all men to recognize the claims of his
peerless love. Very eloquently he spoke
of the inspirations of love, of the brave
deeds and perilous exploits it had
prompted, wishing again and again that
he might proclaim his love before the
world. 1t pleased me to listen to this
and believe it sincere, though | surely
had no wish TO put my lover to such
test A shot suddenly rang through the
woods, and wounded bird darting past,
huttered and fell at the feet of Brown
Bess. With bonnd and spring that
nearly unseated me, she was off.
Struggling TO regain my seat had no
power to check her, and even as she flew
the fear and madness of the moment
grew upon her. / could only cling
breathlessly to name and bride, and won
der helplessly where this mad gallop was
to end. She swerved from a passing
wagon, and turned into a path that led
to the river. In the sudden movement
the reins had been torn from my hands
and could not regain them. clung to
the name and closed my eyes that might
not behold the fate that awaited me.
How sweet was life in those precious
moments that thought my last How
all its joys, its affections, its last crown
ing love, rose up before mel i thought |
of the pang that would rend Elliott |
heart as he saw me lying mangled and
dead; and then the thought would come !
if he were pursuing and trying to save
me, even, as be said, at the risk of life |
and limb. felt sudden shock, fear
ful rushing through the air, and knew no
more until days afterward l awoke to a
faint, weak semblance Of life in my
at home.
never saw Captain Elliott afterwards.
The last words / ever heard from his lips
were those Of knightly king The last
action of his life, in connection with |
mine. was to follow in the trains Of
youths who rode after me, to !