Middletown transcript., 1868-05-23
LEowN COUNTY, DELAWARE SATURDAY MORNING. MAY 49, 1865

engravings at the extreme end of the room
and did not perceive my entrance while
Eugene, who was near the door, arose,
saying as he did so, that he feared we
would be late.
"Thank you," I replied very haugh-
tily," but l have concluded to accept of
the escort of Mr.. Walthall for this even
ing" -n... s'.,...-,. ... .hr'0t
"One surprised, searching look, a bow.
Certainly-you are at liberty to act as you
please" and Eugene turned and left me
and with him went my light and happy
heart, never, never mora to return.
"Once during the lecture 1 turned and
found fixed upon me Eugencs reproachful
eyes-but Instead of being softened by the
expression of suffering depicted there, 1
was only excited to a greater degree of
levity and gaiety.
1.-The next morning Eugene called, l
begged to be excused on the plea of Sc
we're headache, and for several DAYS af-
forwards heard nothing of him. Early
in the following week, Mr.. Walthall pro-
posed-and l accepted him. but not,
must say, with any intention whatever of
marrying him. No, only wished to rouse
in Eugene a little jealousy, L thought
him rather too certain of my affections
that little fear of losing my love would
but make me dearer, and that l would
soon have my lover at my sect in penitent
submission. But j little lnew Eugene
Bentons proud spirit Business called
him away for short time, and on his re-
turn, the first intelligence that greeted
him was my engagement to Mr.. Walthall,
the millionaire. Then came note to me.
| All, how the words burnt into nv heart.
He had been told that l had sold myself
for wealth, without my heart, he well
knew; but would not Withdraw his prior
claim to my hand, until requested by me
to do so. My answer was cold and bitter
no word of sorrow, no excuses on my
part-but deliberately | renounced my
engagement to him and acknowledged that
to Mr.. Walthall. Still l thought that
eventually it would all be as l wished.
Of Mr.. WalthalPs feelings 1 had never
thought-he was but my tool; and vet
had realized his position, 1 should have
been the last to cause him one moments
pain. liked him, and had unbounded
respect for his many virtues, but was too
engrossed with my own affairs to give a
thought to his 4 10 -,
+" Thus things went on, and veryrerad-
ually it dawned upon niy mind thatI was
spinning around myself web from which
there would be no escape. Eugene had
left the village after the receipt of my
heartless note, and by no word or token
could I learn aught of him to whom my
constant thoughts were directed. Once /
told Mr.. Walthall that my heart was not
Ewholly mine, and asked for a release but
he lovingly and playfully refused, and in
my utter desolation and pride, 1 finally
| yielded to his persusaions, and was mar
ried. Then came the saddest part. Had
cared nothing for my husband, / could
better have borne the knowledge of the
great deceptions but, as l said before, I
really liked him, and was truly grieved
that l could do no more. Occasionally ]
heard of Eugene Beuton, as reckless
young man, throwing away the talents SO
lavishly bestowed upon him; and many
were the comments made as to the cause
of this sudden change in his disposition
and character. liz Ia
" My married life was not unhappy in
itself. Mr.. WalthalPs many virtues and
great kindness rendered that impossible
but oh, the memory of the past, how it
haunted me! 81qa +. - ~
H" No children blessed our union-my
unbounded wealth left me no wish un-
gratifed, and much time was left at my
disposal. After five years of welded life,
during which faithfully kept my promise,
made at the altar. to be faithful wife,
Mr.. Walthall died-calmly, trustingly
looking to a life hereafter of peace and joy
and was again free, and the possessor of
all that wealth can give. My sorrow.at the
death of my husband was deep and sincere
My mother died during my married life;
| of my father had no recollection whatev-
or, and [ was left now with no protector in
the wide world-young and wealthy, and
surrounded by fatterers and admirers. Ii
dings of Eugene were worse and worse. He
had become perfectly reckless, and now,
in the last stage of rapid decline, was
dragging out his days in poverty wretch
edness and loneliness. His wants could
relieve by means of my wealth, and did so
through the medium of friend.
" One morning the clergyman who had
been SO faithful and untiring in his care of
the suffering invalid, called on me and
begged that if it were possible would ac-
company him on visit to Eugene Benton,
who had told of our early love, and ex-
pressed longing once more to see me be-
fore the days of his earthly pilgrimage
should end. gOfthat sad interview, Mel
lie cannGt speak. Although so changed,
so wan and pale, I should have recognized
Eugene aRywhere--he who had been 50 in-
expressibly dear to me, and now was dear
Eer still. Call Il infatuation or what you
like, but when again beheld him the old
love came as strong as ever in the days gone
past; and as l sat and listened to his words
OF pardon for the'past, and counsel for the
future, pledged mysclfthat while life was
granted Iwould ever do my utmost in fu-
f,,,.a Al. x.