Nebraska advertiser., 1867-10-17
THE BURGLARS BRIDE.
AN OLD MAIDS STORY.


of age surmount my wrinkled and de-
crepid form. At times l am peevish ant
fretful bewailing my lot, and wishing
that my days were ended then a sweet
reminiscence of the past sweeps over me-
and inspires me with reverence
Though 1 am an old maid, there are
things connected with my life which af-
ford me pleasure to contemplate.
At the age of eighteen was left an
orphan. My mother died when / was
quite young; my poor father fingered c
few shor: years, then, like fragile flow
er, withered and died. Falling heir TO
my fathers immense fortune, / was fat
tered, courted and admired by the peo-
pie of the worId-not for my self alone,
but for nay wealth. Well l knew if l
were destitute of that which has power
to attract thousands, my friends would be
few. l soon became restless, weary, and
tired of those empty batteries.
At length the tortured brain hit upon
a wild scheme which determined to
carry out, despite the expostulations of
my maid.
Anastase, my waiting maid. had rela
tiVes residing in proportionately large
village some six miles from W, and
l there determined to execute my project.
1t was radlantly beautiful morning in
the month of May. The sweet birds,
and the delicious and sweet perfume of the
flowers, seemed to add balm to my aching
heart, and revive my dropping spirit. l
was not a philanthropist but on that
beautiful morning | felt that there were
others beside myself, and that the Crea-
tor had not designed thislterrestrial uni
verse for me alone to enjoy. All l now
desired was true and trusting friend,
one whom l could love, and whose faith
fulness the adversities of life could no!
shake.
My maid and stood upon the porlico,
literally surrounded by trunks, boxes and
bundles impatiently awaiting the arrival
of the rustic, numbering stage coach. l
was completely metamorphosed, having
substituted the plain, comely travelling
dress for my usually rich apparel; no
jewelry adorned my person; It was my
object to appear as one in the ordinary
circumstances. At an abrupt turn in the
road a cloud of dust revealed to my anx-
ious eyes the wished for conY Yeyance.-
With the aid of the porter and coachman
our trunks, etc., were deposited on the
top, and, with brief farewell to those
at the house, we were rolling toward our
new home.
This caprice of mine was indeed re-
markabiy novel. l, the wealthy D'Ha-
ven, daughter and heir of Captain D'Ha-
ven, U. S. N, riding in country stage
coach deslination-an old farm house,
where, in order TO find some one to love
me, independent of gold as a dowry,
had assumed a fictitious name, and be-
came a plain country lass. What would
some of my aristocratic friends say 3
First the old time-worn church, then a
cluster of freshly painted cottages reveal
ed our wished for destination. 1t was
the dawn of new era TO me.
"AIiss Howard, / believe 2" said
portIy old gentleman, advancing to where
my maid and | stood.
Il was Anastase's uncle. He had |
come to meet US with the wagon.
Il am she,' answered slightly bow
ing, and, as gazed upon his round ge-
nial face feeling Of friendship was
awakened in MY bosom, which l had new
er before experienced.
l cannot describe my state Of mind as
l rode through the country village.
was almost tempted to forget my or1gion-
al intention. How Illuminating it would
be, were it made public, thought. My
name would be byword to gossips. My
reverie was brough; to close by the
of cur journey.
This, then, is to be my temporary
home" said l, looking at the old, an
tique looking house looming up from
among large and shady willows.
/ was introduced to the inmates, and
then Mrs. Williams "a kind, genial mat
ron of two score and ten-one whom l
shall always remember with feeling
akin to awe) accompanied me to my
room. After expressing many wishes
and apologies, she said:
MY dear Anna-for such | must call
you-you must make yourself perfectly
Al home. Our mode Of living is not
grand, but we will do all in our power to
make you comfortable"
"Fhank you." ! replied II shall en-
ieavor 10 do so. am perfectly entran-
,ed with your rural home. It is so diff
;erent from what pictured it. Every
hing is so like-so inviting I"
1 had been in my new home two months
of bliss to me-..and what
changes were wrought in those Two
months? ] met him-Eugene st. Slair.
Tall, dark and handsome. | fail to des-
;ribe him. He remains an lncognita to
his day. He seemed cool and distant TO
al but me. met him, and loved him
owed him as mortal seldom loves. One
night, as we stood upon the lawn facing
he lake, the crescent moon shown full
1pon US, and nothing disturbed the still
ness but the gentle rippling of the water.
His hat he held in one hand, the other
;lasped mine. He was gazing dreamily
INTO my eyes / could not speak. was
silently happy.
"Anna." SAID be in his low, harmoni-
ous voice, which sounded like music to 4
ny ear-"Anna, viii you be my wife
Win you link your destiny with that Of a
gambler 2"