The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1866-12-01
sAisrellaneons.
THE FLIR T's DOOM.

NftN 'AttH'HAf ihUNilN was guOl, hut no
wealthy. Ia early life be married one Of the co
heiTvsses Of n city banker, and by ante-nuptia
agreement her prop riy was strictly secured Z,
any heirs she might have. She died while I
her only child, was set an infant. and ali hei
vast wealth became mine held by nv father IL
trust Tor my use, until should reach the age nj
which Il would come into my sole possession
was left 10 the care Of servants. principally
for my father, though very fond OF the. was 81.
way immersed ia business, and spen, but little
time ia the splendid but comforils.s homc over
which no mistress presided
! could not always remain thus. Ny aun,
~. Clair returned from Europe when was abou,
fourteen. She came with her family 10 Vsrdhill.
hy my fathers invitation, 10 remain until her
house III town could he put in order for her re-
ceiiiou. She saw and was astonishel Al my
will appearance and hoydcnish manners. She
quickly decided that her sisters child aud a
great hcircss, must not be allowed To remain
thus, and IL WAS arranged that should accom-.
pnny Aet 20 the city TO enter at once upon the
course of instruction 80 necessary and 30 long
neglected.
y; The use OF sixteen my aunt lad succeeded
IN having M finished according 90 the fash.
icnahle patent. was beautiful Wilful utterly
selfish. and devoice OF the art Of flirting. so
acco mplished, returned 10 my old home and
ny agci father who welcomed me with pride
and iondness. gay party went with me- whom
was 10 make the rouad Of the watering places
with after short visit TO my father.
The Sabbath before we were 10 start, we all
went 10 the old village church. ! shalt never
forget that day. As We all sat silent, there was
slight rustng OF leaves, and the impercep,ible
sur that announces newcomer, and turned
70 sec that the clergy man had entered noiselessy
He was knecling at his desk. his face buried in
the snowy handkerchief he bore in his hand.
but when. after moment. he rose, saw q pale
intellectual face a grand head covered bv light
waving hair Of golden brown, n tall figure fine
~ proporiionci hut little too slight for tic
indications OF robust health ! was attracted
aud interested AZ first. but when he began TO read
the deep. rnelodious infections Of his voice com.
pleied the charm. listened eniranced
From iha, instant ! saw nothing felt nothing
but his presence, aud when tue service aud the
sermon wefe ended and he sank down In the
last silent prayer. IL was as IL the sun had been
Withdrawn from my world, and lefi in dark
ness
Mechanically followed nv friends into the
porch. A sudden. summer shower was gather.
ing-ihe air WAS chill. ihe bird songs were hush
ed and all nature wore the gray hue so ominous
Of her coming couvulsious. had been uncon-
scious Of the change, but the chill wind had been
blowing upon me from an open window as sat
ia church and now shuddcrcd, as taking my
father arm ] hurried homeward Before We
reached the house the storm broke, and all but
the swiftcst pedestrians were thoroughly drench.
cd. Ere nighifall burning fever alternated with
icy Chills In nv frame, aud the effect of dranght
and drenching, declared themselves.
Mr.. Fletcher had been invited by my father 10
dine with US. but had excused himself with the
simple remark tina, his duties absorbed the en-
tire Sabhaih-day. But during the week aud nj.
ter our friends hal lefi us he called saw him
in the little morning room where rested upon
a couch. aud he dined with my father This vis-
IL was followed Is many others until al last he
dincd with US nearly every day. and spent most
evenings In listening 20 my performance upon
the piano-forie. or In conversation with me-
saw the effect Of my charms. knew that |
was beautiful. aud the world declared me bril-.
liant. And brought every art that had learn
ed, 20 lure this silent. grave youth TO my feet
II was "a triumph TO bend his glorious intellect 10
a girls will and liked him. too, liked him
more aud more ~ time-thai lovely summertime
wore on. hut am sure NO thought Of the fu-
tnre or the consequences Of my acts ever intrud-
ed upon ine. had been taught TO look upon
life as "a game and forgot that all players were
not skilliul like myself
And vet suffered. too. for was not destitute Of
sympathy, aud i1y heart not wholly untouched,
either by the profound devotion Of this silent,
grave man-wiih all his learning aud mental
discipline pOwerle 10 keep min from my feet
when listened TO his declaration Of love, and
spoke the words that separated Us forever.
| went up 10 my room half angry with myself
listening TO some smothered rrpToachcs Of my
conscience yet repeating that l. heircss aud beau
IS, with the honors of bellehood not yet fallen
into a tradition, could not marry poor country
clergy man. whose sole estate was his bande and
surplice and the piiiance these VILLAGERS paid
him for those wonderful sermons, and all his
heavy pastoral labors.
Aud yet had been struck and pained with
the pallor that overspread that noble face as Il
bent toward me In farewell. Something told me
that had been hard and cold with him, even
while my own heart pleaded for him. but sti-
fed the silent monitor, and ordered my maid 10
prepare for the journey was about 10 undertake
10 join my friends At Newport.
The morning left home my father mentioned,
casually, that he had heard that Mr.. Fletcher was
very ili. ! felt myself grow pale aud cold, but
stuffed my emotions, aud In q constrained voice
expressed my regret at these tdings. aud begged
my father TO provide the invalid with every need.
ed luxury from verdhill, aud to inform me 10
his letters Of his state.
Two years later was In Italy with my hus.
band-ihe husband Of my Aunt ST. Glars
choice. had made q grand match, but I was
not happy. Diamonds bound an aching brow,
and flashed above \ throhblng heart. ! was cold
and unloving 10 my husband, and he returned
my indifference with seorn. A few months bad
brought us 10 this pass-lhat be lived out Of
doors. amid pleasures in which had no share,
and which shrunk from even guessing at, and
went alone into society, mark, In my beauty,
for continental gossip.
One night saw my husband making bis way
toward me through crowded saloon. pressed
forward, for fsll the need Of bic protection from
advances that were Insults, though p.rhaps not