Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1866-10-10
A GOOD STORY
THE PLAIN LOVER.


heart | had lacerated by refusing his
him on to declaration. Ny last vic
TINS name was James Frazer. He
was q tall, awkward, homely, ungain-
ly man, but his heart was 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 Captain
Elliot, who had been unremitting in
his devotion to me.
Mr. James Frazer warned me against
Elliot; but | charged him with jeal-
ousy, and took his warning as an in
suit.
A few days afterwards Elliot and
were engaged, and my dream Of 70
mantle love seemed to be in a fair way
of realization. | had week Of hap,
piness. Many have not so much in
lifetime. Many awake from the bright
short dream to find themselves in a
lifelong darkness, and bondage from
which there is no escape. Thank God,
I was not so miserable as they
Ny mother was a widow in good
circumstances, but having very bad
health She was also of an easy, list
less credllous nature-hating trouble,
and willing to take things just as they
happen to present themselves. She
therefore made no inquiries about Cap
tain EIiot-but fcndly believed that
inasmuch as he was Captain he must
necessarily be a man of honor also,
especially as he had served in the Cri-
mea and India and won medals. His
regiment was quartered in our neigh
bOrh0od, and he had the reputation of
being one Of the wealthiest. as he was
certainly the handsomest officer in it.
[ remember we'll 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 walk
ing in the garden he made the tender
avowaI referred him to 'mamma;
he hastencd to her-returning in few
minutes, and led ne into her presence
to receive the assurance that The ma
ternal consent had been readily given.
Ny dear mother hated crouble, and
she moreover loved me tenderly; so
that she was well pleased to find a
husband presenting himself in form
and manner apparently SO eligible tor
her beloved and only daughter.
Well, a week passed quite delight,
fully as | have said; and at the eXpi.
ration of this there might have been
seen an equestrian party winding
through our old Devonshire woods anC
quiet country roads. Elliot and lee
the cavalcade. | rode my own beau
tiful brown Bess. Captain Elliot wal
mounted on handsome black horse
that had been sent him from London
Following us was q bovy of merry
girls and their cavaliers; and among
them was tall, awkward and silent JAS
Frazer. His presence had marred al
the pleasure of my ride, and | was glaC
| to be in advance of them all that
! might not see him
! And as we rode on through tht
/ woods, and | listened, we'll pleased, t
! the low but animated words OF tn
! gallant Elliot, who wished himself
knight and me fair layde Of the old
en- time that he might 90 forth TO d.
battle and compel all men to recOgniz
the claims of his peerless love. Yer.
eloquent be spoke of the inspiration Q
! love, Of the brave deeds and perilou
exploits it had prompted, wishin
again and again that be might prt
claim and maintain his love before th
world 1t pleased me to listen to tn
and to believe it sincere, though
! surely had no wish to put my lover
such test.
A shot suddenly rang through th
woods and q wounded bird, dartin
past, tluttered and fell at the feet
brown Bess. With a bound and
spring that nearly unseated me, 81
was off
Struggling to retain my seat, L ha
no power to check her, and even 1
she flew the fear and madness of tt
moment grew upon her. | could onI
cling breathlessly to the name and bl
die, and wonder helplessly whore tn
mad gallOp was to end. She swervt
from passing wagon, and turned in
q path that led to the river. In tt
sudden movement the reins had bee
torn from my hands and | could n,
regain them. | clung to the name al
closed my eyes, that | might not b
J hold the fate that awaited me. Ho
sweet was life in those precious m
ments that l thought my last! Ho
all its affections, its last browning lo'
' rose up before me l thought of Il
pang that would rend Elliot's hea
as he saw me lying, mangled and dea
E and the thought would come if
were pursuing and trying to save n
even, as he had said, at the risk of Ii
and limb
remembered no more. | felt su