The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-08-21

circumstances. These, the writer said, bad
scarcely answered the expectations he had
formed from them on his first arrival and
be feared, if they did not improve, that
however painful their separation was to
him, ne would be compelled to submit to It's
continuance for some time, as be could not
think Of bringing her there, SO far from neF
home and her friends, until he should oe
able to receive her in manner that would
more unequivocally bespeak the sincerity OF
his love than his present means would ao'
init Of.
These two letters, rs we have said, came
in due time; and, Notwithstanding the dis
couraging tenor Of the last, were received by
poor Fanny with the most unfegned delight.
But, when the time came round chat another
letter should have reached her from her
lover, it was in vain that the afectionate girl
looked for that solace to her wearied spirit.
Week after week plssel away, month fol-
lowed month, and finally, year followed
year, and still no letter came, to raise the
PROSTATE and withering hopes Of poor Fanny
Rutherford. For some time she was im-
pressed with conviction that her lover was
dead for she could not, and would not, be-
lieve that her Henry was faithless. But in
this belief-perhaps the least affecting Of the
two-shs was not permitted long to remain /;
for it was ascertained, through Henry's IA
ther, not only that be was still living, but
that be was getting on prOsperously, and in
fair way Of soon realising fortune.
Unwilling, unwilling, lndeei, was poor
Fanny to believe this account Of denry-but
it was certain ; and this certainty Of the ne
glectfulness, or yet worse, faithl .ssness, Of
her lover threatened to hurry her to q pre-
mature grave.
Nearly three years had now passed away
since the receipt Of her last letter from
Henry and sne had long given up all hopes
Of ever hearing from him again, or OF ever
being more to him than she then was.
While sitting alone, however, one morning
about this period, her head leaning upon her
hand, and listlessly gazing through q win
dow that overlooked the approach to her fa-
theirs house, her curiosity was slightly
excited by observing the person who usually
brought the letters from the neighboring
village hurrying with unwonted speed to-
yards the house, and, As she approached
nearer, waving letter which she held in
her hand towards Fanny. In an instant the
blood, which had long forsaken the poor
girls cheeks, rushed back to its forgotten
repositories. Her heart beat fast and thick,
aud . violent tremor seized on her whole
emaciated frame. Ths letter was, and she
now knew It, from Henry Raeburn.
Having got possession Of the intensely
interesting document, she rushed with it up
stairs to her own apartment, bolted the door
and flung herself down on q bed laying, 1t
the same time, the letter, which, from exces-
sive agitation, she was unable at the moment
to open, on q small table beside her. HAv-
ing, however, in few minutes reeainei as
much composure as she believed would en-
able her to venture on the exciting task OF
perusing the letter, she arose, seized 1t coz
vulslvely, and staggered with it unfolded in
her grasp towards the window, where she
began to read. The letter commenced thus ::
MY DEAREST, DEAREsT FANEY,-Wnat il the
meaning of this Cruel, cruel girl, it is now
precisely two years and q half since | received
your last letter, although have written to you
At least six or seven times during that period
What relief, Fanny, is would be 10 my mind,
to know that these letters Of mine had miscar-
ried-that they had never reached you for,
in that case, might still hope, still believe, that
my Fanny was faithful. Indeed, it 10 in this
hsc -. 80. Eve, C. :. hs.c heee e,r tla las.
two years going from place, at great distance
in the interior, think it not improbable that
my letters-all OF which were despatched from
these remote residences-have never found their
way to you"
The writer then went on, praying Fanny
not to lose . moment in relieving his mind
on this, 10 him, he said, most painful sub
ject. After q good deal more to similar
purpose, hs conunued-
Will my Fanny not take it amiss-she will
not, know, if she still be to me as she once
was, and what still am to her-if request her
to send me her portrait THAT, since fortune
still denies me the happiness of contemplating
the original, may, as l sssuredly will, fnd
some consolation in possessing the copy. / will
then" continued the writer, f" have you present
to my corporeal eye, you are, and constantly
have been, to my mental vision. Enclosed, my
dearest Fanny, you have draft for twenty gui-
meas, which please apply to the purpose just ex-
pressed, and let there not be a moment lost in
forwarding me your beloved picture"
When Fanny hao completed the perusai
OF this, to her, most gratifying letter-that
is, after she had read it &C least six times
oversize rushed wildly down stairs IN quest
Of her brother Edward; and having found him
Z" See, see, Edward 70 exclaimed the oe-
lighted girl, forcing the letter into his hands,
" read that, Edward, and acknowledge, my
brother, the injustice which you and all Of
US have done to Henry. knew, knew"
she went on, "my Henry would not deceive
me. felt assured that his silence and
seeming neglect would one day be satisfac-
torily accounted for, and without impugning
bis honor.'
To these expressions Of Joy, and delight,
and confidence, Fanny's brother made no
reply, but sat down coolly to read the letter
that had been put into his hands and,
greatly disappointed was the poor girl, who
was watching bis countenance with the most
intense interest, while be read, 10 find thar
the contents seemed to excite in him no emo
ton whatever. When he finished" Well,
Fanny" be said, dryly, at the same care
lessly returning her the letter, it's all very
well. | am glad to find that Raeburn is NOS
altogether the man feared be was. He
seems 70 think Of you with unabated regard
still, Fanny"
"Oh yes, Edward !-oh yes! knew
Henry would not deceive me p again re
peated the unsuspecting and delighted girl
Edward, as we have already said, tenderly
loved Fanny and it was this regard for her
that Prev 1ted aim saying all he thought OF
the letter he had just read. He would not,
Tor any consideration, have damped the feel
lngs Of joy and happiness whicn it had in
spned in the bosom of his sister, by making
any remarks that might have a tendency o.
that kind but be could not help obs rVlng
sufficient grounds for such observations
lie saw, In the first place, that Raeburn's
assertion that he had written several letters
to Fanny was a downright faIsehOod, or, at
best, OF very suspicious character for bis
iatner-who lived, as the reader will recol-
lect we have already said, in the Immediate
helghoorhood, and whom be frequently met
wlth-had never made any complaint Of any
interruption in his sons correspondence /;
ana be (Edward), moreover, knew that
nenry's father had received many letters
from nlI- during tie very period Of the sus-
pension of his correspondence with Fanny.
IL therefore ADnearod extremalv odd IA him