Indiana American., 1868-04-17

ced. The introduction TO Mrs. Major
Burton was soon made, and the two friends
were speedily engaged in an interesting
conversation concerning the fates aud for
tunes of their old crouies. Nothing, how
ever, could exceed the caution with which
Bur ton avoided the smallest al lusion to
the Parsons. And Waierton. though he
named several of their aequaintances,
never once mentioned them, retaining
perhaps, on account of the delcacy Of the
subject, in the presence Of The Majors
wife. When the lady rose to retire under
the plea of fatigue, Burton's heart beat fast
with apprehension.
lie dreaded to hear the truth which he
feared would come out of his wiies abb
sence. How could he justify bis falsehood
the effect of which he did not doubt had
been disastrous? Perhaps the victim Of
his failhlessness was-<-but he dared not
anticipate the truth. lie would know it
presently. for Mrs. Burton had left the
room. The "reminiscences Of bygone days
were then renewed, but to his astonish.
mcnt his friend fought as shy rs before on
tho subject of the Parsons. This helped
to increase the Majors fear. Delicacy
evidently prevented wr,erion from shock.
Ing his feelings by some fatal disclosure
concerning Maria lie was he destroyer
Of her tOppiuess, perhaps-he shuddered
10 think-of her lifel
After long gossip Waterton left, and
Burton retired to his chamber fully con-
,inced that he was one of the vilest per.
jurcrs on earthl
Before parting Watetton made the Major
promise to come and dine with him, and
bring his wife. Next day Mt the appointed
hour, they made their appearance at Wa
tertons house. Burtons spirits were
much depressed. He dreaded going into
society, knowing that sooner or later the
crisis must come; that some person Who
knew the Psnsons would blurt out the
fate which he knew had beisllen his victim.
In this mood he entered the drawing
room, his wife hanging on his arm. To
his surprise he beheld Waierton with three
children. whose likeness TO him at once
pronounced very near relationship. lie
greeted his guests heartily and said Mrs.
Watcrton would be down immediately.
"Why," exclaimed the Major, "you
never told me you were married,
no. said the host; "delicacy forbade
that"
"Deicacy?"
"Ycs; and when you know 10 whom ]
am married you will understand my ro
serye-but here comes better explana.
ton than words cpu give |"
The door opened aud Mrs. Wuterton en-
tered. She welcomed her guo,ts with
great cordiality. Bprton started, be trem
bled with amazement aud bis frst i'm.
pulse was TO exclaim "Miss Pansonf~e
"Yes" interposcd Mrs. Wa,er,on, "Miss
Pansou dozen years ago, but Mrs. Wa
terton now. Why, Why, your friend aud |
have been married these ten ycarsl"
Miss Pans,n marriedl' exclaimed
Mrs. Burton, with unleigncd pleasure, as
the last suspicion of rival was thus
banished from her brea't "0h, my dear
tnudam, how delighted am to know YOU"
aud she seiz d both her new friends
hands aud shook them heartily.
This, then, was the loye-s,ricken broken.
hearted damsol whom Burton had con
jured up in imagiuation This was tho
wreck his broken faith had pictured ln-
stead of u pale, grief burdened lady, he
beheld u matronly, still pretty woman full
Of lilc, gnycty and happiness. "rhe fact
is, my love-" whispered Mrs. Burton TO
her husband as ihoy went down TO dinner,
you are not the desperate lady. killer you
think yourself" #" The Mojor was Ut first
considerably chap fillen. pnd some remote
allusion to the Princes street gardens, in
which Mrs. Wntorton took tho lead. gave
him 20 much uneasinots that they were
after time not repeated. Soon, however,
the soldier was neryed for downright
assault on his former engagement with his
friends Wife and when the ladies had
retired, he aud his host entered luughine-
" into the utloot Of heir respective mar
riapes, Each of course, (as all husbands
do after diuno), spoke in rupture Of his
wife
"Besides all my love- said Burton, ~
owe my Millicenl deep debt Of gratitude
Possessed of largo fortune, sho prefer
red sharing II with me Chen poor sub
alleru) to marrying one Of tho richest
men in Calcutta
For my part returned the other, "un
Ill Maria's father died, which he did three
years since, the only fortune | got with
my wife was herself, aud part Of halt
sovereign which,"
Nay, nay, spare ne on that poinu'
exclaimed Burton, rising to join the ladies
ia the drawing room.
Young reader, tho lesson 20 bo derived
from this little sketch is--bcwarc how you
trust solely TO tie ardent aud inconsidcr-
ate feelings Of youth; VOWS uttered under
their influence are rash ones, which a
vonable maxim tolls MS we ought never 10
make. Actualed by the blind impulse of
violent emotions, we arc sure to deceive
oniselyes-imogining that wo are perfect
ly sincere, when We are merely impelled
by giddy and nntoward passion nothing
abated by the wellmeant interference Of
relatives and friends.
The consequence Of such conduct is,
that Tho Integrity Of the promises then
mnde is as unstable us the feelings that !
prompt them. Had Edward and Maria
loved as they thousht they did on parting,
they would never have broken their hith.