Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1866-01-19
My Plain Lover.

homely, ungainly man, but his cart was
true as steel. ! respected him h,hly, and
felt panied when i witnessed hi, anguish
at my rejection Of him. But thefact was,
had myself fallen inYlove with Capt. Ell
hot, who had been uhremitling his de-
votion to me. Mr.. james Frazr warned
me against Elliot, but chargedhim with
Jealousy, and look his warningas an in
suit Hi NssHess ~
A few days aferward Elliot and were
engaged, and my dream of romantic love
seemed to be in fair way of realization.
had week of nappsness. Many have
not 50 much in lifetime. Many awake
from the bright, short dream to find them
selves in life-long darkness, and bondage
| from which there is no escape. Thank
God, was not to be so miserable as they !.
My mother was widow in good cir
cumstances. but having very bad health.
She was also of an easy, listless, credulous
nature--hating trouble, and wiling TO lake
things just as they happen to presen.them-
selves. She therefore made no inqriries
about Captain Eliot--but fondly believed
that, inasmuch as be was captain, he
must necessarily be a man Of honor also,
especially as he had served in tLe Crimea
aud in India, and won medals. His regi-
ment was quarteIed in our neighborhood,
and he had the reputation of being one Of
the wealthiest, as he was certainly the
handsomesi, officers in it. I remember
well the day we. became engaged He was
on duty, but had managed to ride over TO
our house in his uniform, and while We
were walking IN the garden he made The
tender avowal. referred him to :. mann
ma !" he FASTENED 10 her-returned in
three minutes, and led me into her pres
ence TO receive the assurance that the ma
telnul consent was readily and freely CIV
en-. My dear mother hated trouble and
she moreover loved me tenderly so that
she was well pleased 10 find husband
presenting himself in form and manner
apparently SO eligible for her beloved ard
only daughter.
We'll, week passed quite delightfully."-,
as have said !; ana at the expiration OF
this there might have been seen gay
equestrian party winding through our old
Devonslire woods and quiet country roads.
Elliot and led the cavalcade. rode my
own beautiful brown Bess. Captain Elliot
was mounted on a handsome black horse
that had been sent him from London.
Following US was bevy Of merry girls
and their cavaliers and amoung them was
TALL awkward and silent Jsmes Fra ger.
His presence had marred all ihe pleasure
Of my Tide, 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 at The low but
animated words Of the gallant Elliot, who
wished himself a knight and me faire
ladye Of the olden kime, that he might 20
forth to do battle and compel all men to
recognize the claims Of his peerless love.
Very eloquently he spoke of the inspira-
tqns of love, of the brave deeds and per-
iloas exploits it had prompted, wishing
again and again that he might proclaim
and maintain his love before the world.
1t pleased me TO listen to this and TO be-
lieve II sincere, though surely had no
wish TO put my lover TO such IA test A
shot suddenly rang through the woods and
a wounded bird, darling past, futtered aud
tell at the feet OF brown Bess. With
bound aud spring that nearly unsealed
me, she was off
Struggling to regain my seat, i had no
power to check her, and even as she f,w
the fear and madness of the moment grew
upon her. ! could only cling breathlessly
to name and bride, and wonder helpessly
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
from my hands and j could not regain
them. ! elung % 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 nv last |!
How all its joys, its affections, its las,
crowning love rose up before me! /
thought of the pang that would rend Ell |
lioi's heart as he saw me lying, mangled
and dead and then the thought would
come if be were pursuing and trying 10 |
save me- even, as he had said, at the risk |
of life and limb. remembered no more.
] felt a sudden shock, fearful rushing
through the air, and knew no more until.
days afterward, ! woke to faint, eak
semblanee of life in my chamber at home.
] never saw Captain Eliot again. The
last words ! ever heard from his lips were
those of knigh,ly daring. The last action
of his lie in connection with mine, was 10
follow IL the train of frightened youths
roIa Of, n Il