The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1867-06-21

ror into his pallid face. f4
GA gambler | have been, but l have
renounced that hellish life. Imean to
reform, to make myself worthy of the
name bear; and all for you because 1
love you. 1t was not my ychoice, Heav-
en- knows twas not! was driven to
it. 1 was spendthrift; became dissi
pated and reckless. My father twice
threatened to discard me. / did not
heed his threat. became involved in
debt; appealed to my father. promising
to reform. but he ordered me from the
house. There was only one resource
left, and that / adopted. | became a
| gambler"
He buried his head in bis hands and
wept. could not articllate word.
I seemed petrifed. Gejects began to
grow dim around me. staggered, and
would have fallen had he not caught
me in his arms. l left the spot the
affianced bride of Eugene st. Clair.
I was happy and sorrowfuI alternate
ly, happy in the belief that Eugene
loved me, yet apprehensive of the fu
| ture.
We were to be married in three weeks.
did not know his reason for a hasty,
quiet marriage I did not inquire.
Whatever Eugene desired, willingly
assented to. had implicit faith in his
| love.
Gamma, / am compelled to leave you
for short time. | have business-bus-
mess of vital mportance-which Unjust
Immediately transact; but l shall not
be long absent"
felt piqued at his not telling me the
nature ofhis business; but with single
smile babe him God-speed. He lift
ed my hand to his lips, and passionate
ly imprinted kisses upon it.
AS his form passed from view, there
came thought to my frivolous mind
a thought which was destined to blast
my bright hopes and visions. asked
myself: Why not start for home, and
write to Eugene, asking him to join
me. 1t would be such asurprise-such
a pleasant surprise-to see him enter
my mansion-stare in bewilderment,
and gaze upon his wealthy affianced
with wonder. 1 thought 'twould be
delightful. Accordingly l had my
trunks packed, so as to be able to start
on the morrow. ,-t
"Mrs. Williams, this evening will
terminate my stay under your hospita-
BILE roof; an occurrence which | regret
most exceedingly. | shall always re-
member the happy daVs / have spent
| here, and with tears recall those bright
faces at the old stone farmhouse"
We were sitting on the porch, enjoy
ing the refreshing breeze from the lake.
/ noticed the crest fallen look on their
faces as I spoke of departing. I, too,
experienced poignant pang of regret
at leaving such kind and sympathizing
friends. The kind old lady turned her
beaming face full upon me, and in a
voice husky with emotion said:
Gamma, / takeas much interestin your
welfare as would in my child's. What
I tell you is for your own good-you
must take no Offense. We are about
part-your path leads one way-mine
another; perhaps we shall never meet
again, in this world. If we should
not, remember what l tell you. You
are about to marry man Of the world,
who, l have no doubt, loves you; but
whose reputation was so very bad, he
was at one time reckless, dissipated,
and is even now reported to have been
IA gambler" ... ........
81 learned that from his own lips" |
replied, rather haughtily.
eyes, my child; but you do not know
the danger into which you are pre-
cipitating yourself. / would like to
warn you before it is too late; but"
'Heaven and earth could not move
me in my resolve. / have as much
faith in that man as / had in my father;
and were he to prove false, 1 would
not condemn, but pity him."
| She made no answer. ........ .-
But that evening, as l bade her
''good night" she fondly drew me t.
her, and fervently pronounced bless
ing.
The morning dawned radiant and
beautiful. Mrs. Williams greeted me
with a merry ''good morning" inquir-
ed after my health, and invited me to
partake of frugal meal she had pre-
pared for me. Then came the final
leave-taking, and in a short time 1 was
on my homeward Journey.
1 found everything as l had left it at
home. The servants were somewhat
surprised at my unlocked for arrival.
l left Anastase to make all explanations,
and sought my room. Immediately
changed my dusty garments for more
suitable apparel, and proceeded to write
to my fnture husband. In it / stated
that wished to see him concerning
material matters-gave him the neces-
sary directions-wrote his address on
the envelope, and placed the note in
my writing desk, intending to send it
on the morrow. 1t had again become
cloudy, and toward evening the rain
! descended in torrents. The hoarse
roaring of the thunder, and the dull