Middletown transcript., 1868-09-12

Onc bright MAY morning, when the sun
shone warmly as a July sun, and the per-
fumes of early flowers made the air frag-
rant, Nettie Glare came to our home, and,
as we sat in the sunshine on the porch,
she said; II had letter from Herbert.
last night. lie is coming home in few
weeks"
looked up into her face with eager
joy. l wondered if she noticed how |
clutchcd at her words, how l trembed as
| said, "Did he send any word to me"
eyes" she replied. 'He told me to
ask you if you still remembered the firta-
ton you and he had last summer; and he
said he hoped you and his bride would be
the best of friends"
did not faint-I did not scream but
oh such dcath-like feeling stole over
me. l felt the blood all leave my face
and it seemed frozen in my veins. But
my voice was perfectly firm, but hollow
and choked as | said, "Then he is mar
ried? l did not know of it before. Of
course | remember the Irritation; how
could forget it? 1t was the first l ever
carried on; and L will always remember
it."
"Ah yes, Herbert was married month
ago. He married one of the richest bellies
in Boston. lie had been engaged to her
ever since he left college,"
And this was the man that I loved had
looked up to with idolatrous affection :;
this was the man to whom | had laid bare
my heart. lie had only been amusing
himself, while L had been so deeply, fear
fully in earnest. He had laughed in pri-
vate over my simplicity and unreserve.-
Oh how | loathed him, how dcspised
him, l hated myself for having been so
easily duped. Ten years were added to
my life that night. Before, 1 had been
simple, artloss, trusting child now l was
IA woman, a suspecting, cautious, and pru-
dent woman.
Oh, how watched the dreams, the
hopes of former days depart. With bit
ter, chilling smile l looked upon the with
cred, scentless flower of love. Not tear
did l shed; no, not one. was too deep
ly stung for tears. l had been insultcd
and wronged and all the dignity of my
nature was aroused.
l determined that Herbert Glare never
should know that had felt his treachery :;
and, when he came with his beautiful,
wealthy bride, was among the first to
call. | was the first to propose II party
for her, and | was the gayest, the widest
of the girls at every gathering. laughed
and waltzcd with him, as if We had never
been more to each other ,hen we were
then. | think he felt little piqucd to
find that ! was so lively and light hearted
| fancied that he expected TO find me
mourning over faded dreams, or slowly
wasting away with a broken heart. But
was disappointed for no one had so little
the appearance of broken heart as l. l
had found the idol l had worshipped as
pure gold, as pure, unadulterated gold,
nothing but clay; and ! had cast it from
me as no longer worthy my regard and
devotion.
My friends wondered at my sudden gai-
city and life; for | had always been quiet
and domestic. But L let them wonder
without deigning to notice their surprise
and astonishmont; as l proposed one
amusement after another
And SO the summer went by-that ter
rible summer what u series of strug-
glcs and victories | went through But
| have never regretted that all happened
that did; for l learned much. Bitter
| though the lessons were, they did me
good; they will never be forgotten.
Soon after Herbert Glare and his wife
left, Mr.. Grason, who had for years been
our pastor, died and sincerely We mour-
ned for him, for he had been kind and
faithful worker i'll the Lords vineyard
and we all loved him and looked up to
him with veneration.
For some weeks his place remained un-
filed it seemed that no one could ever
quite take his place. But at length Geo
Sanders, young man who had just COM
pleted his theological studies, applied for
the vacancy. He came and preached in
our village two Sundays; and the old dca-
cons put their heads together and conclu-
ded that they could not do better than
give him call. He was consequently in
stalled as pastor of the brick church.
But what was he to do with the parso-
mage ?-he had no family. He was an or
phan and unmarried. 1t seemed pity to
close it up, and let the weeds riot in the
neat garden. But it was done; and in
some unaceountable way it was arranged
that the new minister should board with
my aunt, her house being convenient to
the church, and she having plenty Of room
to spare.
At first did not like the idea; and
did but little to make it pleasant for Mr.
Sanders at our house. But he was so
gentle, so kind, SO unobstrusivo in his
manners, that one could not long withstand
his friendly ovorturcs; and in less than
three months we were the best of friends
l had always been fond of books, always
desired to learn but our village school had
never boastod of very learned master,
and my advantages had been limited =
But now new world was open to me-
the world of knowledge. George Sanders
generously undertook the task of instruc-