Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-07-28

AosS thAn cost lvqq -
could be far happier. But, even IL she
had been free 10 CHOOSE, how did abe
know that he would CHOOSE hel2 True.
she had sometimes faneied-but what
right had che 10 indulge in such fanciesS
When MI. Thornly reached his Office
he found Frederick Wells waiting 70 see
him, who accosted him with an sir of
conssraini, not to say embarrassment,
not at all remarkable, when we consider
the awkward GRAND on which he came,
81 heard of Miss Meals misfortune last
evening, sir; and | sssure you with deep
regret." ga
''Miss Meals misfOTtuntl what the
deuce dye meant" said the old gentleman
grufiiy, with whom the young man was,
by no means, a fsvorite. 4 80
"Why, the failure of Bolton Bank, 70
be sure, Nj. Wells responded quickly,
| the suspicion entering his mind that the
shrewd old lawyer was trying to dodge
the question.
cob, al, yes think do understand
you. Well, what of iti"
''Only this, sir, that deeply as l regret
the necessity, the high Tegsrd / cherish
for your ward, and the knowledge that I
shall be unable, at least for some years,
to offer her such home as she is sccus-
toned to and merits, demand the sunder-
ing of our engagement"
THAT is to say, In plain English, my
ward, having lest her fortune, Mr.. Wells
no longer desires TO marry her"
In spite of all his efforts, Mr.. Wells
felt his cheeks Jingle beneath the quiet
scorn in the eyes that rested upon his
counienanee.
''You pat it rather harshly, y he said,
forcing smile; ''but we won't quarrel
about terms"
every good. All have TO say is, that
what you are pleased TO term Miss Meals
misfortune, promises to be the beat thing
that could happen to her. Good morn
mg.n
When Mr. Thornly saw his ward
again, in the evening, his countsnance
wore curious expression.
II have important news for you Ellen;
one portion of it rather bad, but the
other 30 good as to more than make up
for it. Indeed, as 1 told a certain
young man this morning, ] consider il
the best thing that could possibly happen
to you. First, for the bad; the bank, n
which your money was invested, has
gone up, and won't probably pay two
cents on dollar. Now for the good; IN
consequences of this, Mr.. Frederick Wells
called TO express his regrets, that he must
relinquish the honor and happiness Of
making you his wife. "
SIS it possiblei" exclaimed Ellen.
Chow / have en- deceived in him
thought he loved me for myself alone
Oh, Mr.. TnOTnly, how thankful ought
to be that have discovered how false
his heart is, before it was too late. "
'Mr. Hayden Is in the parlor, and
wants to see Miss Ellen, said servant
| opening the door.
Ellen entered the parlor In q rather per-
turbed state of mind; much ss she rejoiced
| at her escape, she could not bur feel
deeply grieVed st this discovery of the
unwOrthiness OF him, whom she had
hitherto esteemed so highly as TO often
IeprOach herself thst she could not love
him as he deserved.
Mr.. Hsyden's mind was also much dis
turbed, though from very different
/ cause. r-
Il was ia vain that that young gentle
i man tried to recall the neat little speech,
that he had cOnned over on his way to
| the house; as is usual in such cases, il
| completely vanished from his mind, as
/ soon as be found himself in the presence
of the lady for whose benefit 1t was In
tended. Es
At last, making desperate effort, he
lrJke the rather embarrassing silence By
saying:
t.My dear Miss Neal, have heard Of
the loss Of your fortune, and cannot ex-
press what great burthen it lifted from my
heart. was so truly rejoiced as TO quite
forget" .... 49,.
Here, startled by the indignant aston
ishment depicted upon Eilen's c0un-
tensnce, the poor fellow stammered, sn6
I.then stopped. - -.
''Sir-Mr. Hayden" faltered Ellen,
deeply wounded at language so different
from what she had anticipated. IT sm
at loss to understand why you should
rejoice over my misfortune.
ssDear one, know 1t is very selfish in
me, and yet l was never half 30 happy
in nv Life as when | learned that might,
without being accused Of unworthy mo-
tives, tell you what privilege ] should
deem it to cherish and care for you, as
man cherishes and cares for the dearest
object of mis- love-" a-G
| The sudden revolution of feeling,
caused by these words, sent warm, happy
tears to Ellen's eyes.
II thank heaven for the reverse Of
| fortune that has given me the rich treas
ure of your love, she muImured, as she
laid her hand softly in his. 6soI
Half an hour later the lovers were re
ceiviDg the congratulations, the wsrEl
approval of Ellen's guardian.
The Old gentleman listened silently, snd
with evident enjoyment, TO the plans they
laid for the future. f
81 am sorry TO spoil your pretty TO
nance of Love in Cottage, and all
that sort of thing" be said at last but
the fact is, Ellen-though, SIS told you,
your fortune tOaS invested in the Bolton
Bank-I happened TO withdraw the
money the week before it failed. But
1 QOu I W uOhu-EOdAtC N dDOtbAb5 ny gO0nH
friends; you'll find plenty OF people who
will gladly relieve you of its burthen. If
you can't dispose of it in any otheT way,
you might donate it 10 found q mission
school Tor the Fejee Mermaids, or some
other equally as practicable missionary
enterprise. T"
We cant say as 10 whether our young
couple followed this suggestion, but this
we know, that throughout her long and
happy married life, Ellen often had occa-
sion to bless the fortunate blunder that
enabled her to discern between ffThe True
Heart and the False" s
PIEoHBACK, cOlOred member OF the
Louisiana Legislature, stated the situation
between himself and Colonel Carter,