Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1871-05-19

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with sparkling blue eyes, and teeth Of
pearly whiteness that shone brightly be-
meath heavy moustache. All this | took
in at glance, for I stood as If struck
dumb. My father arose and presented
me as my youngest daughter. Bertha,
Mr.. Ashton I bowed and passed hasti-
ly from the room. The girls all rallied
me numerically and said l had now .
beau. Well, we started for our walk. It
appeared all the young ladies had an es-
cort (and there we're SIX Of them except
a Miss Marshall, a.girl several years NY
senior. Mr.. Marshall seemed at loss
what to do, for I could see at glance he
did not fancy Miss Marshall. She imme-
diately seized my hand and drew me aside,
Bertha. walk with me and have nothing
to say to- Harry Ashton, he is an unprin-
cipled man and I do not like him; be is
an awful Airt.' why, Susie. you know
[ am too young to have beaus. therefore
you need not fear for me- She laughed
lightly and said. well. at any rate, it will
preventm from being molested--so come.
I felt astonished at her actions but said
no more So it happened we strayed of
from the rest of the company. but when
we came up with them again, as l stood
talking with your maj Was great pet
with her-she whispered. look at Harry.
l raised my eyes and found those lustrous
orbs of his fixed intently upon me. A
sudden thrill convulsed my whole frame,
and. child as I was, l felt be was my des-
tiny. We exchanged few words Of
common courtesy and we parted; there
was only cool bow from each. Why. I
could not tell. Time soon passed and
found me at school again, but at intervals
| met Harry Ashton. and grew to love
him as woman can only love once in .
lifetime. He professed to love me. and
we were happy. I never for moment
doubling his truth. Thus nearly two
years elapsed. No word of marriage had
been spoken. and. with me, scarcely
thought Of; but during the time, Lmet .
young man, Mr.. Winters. who profsssed
to love me and asked my love in return.
which of course was refused be pleaded,
grew angry, but at last submitted grace.
fully aud proposed to be my truest friend.
Miss Marshall, who still remained single,
became intimate with Mr.. W. and soon
told me they were engaged. I believed
her. But, alas! that was the beginning
of my troubles. Soon she began to whis-
per words Of Harry's infamy to me; tell
ing me that he was really engaged to a
wealthy young lady in Washington. city ];
that he was also trifing with the affections
Of "a poor but worthy girl not many miles
from u.s.. Then hef lover took me aside.
and told me my name had been used.fa-
miliarly in the. bar-room by Harry Ashton
and other drinking comrades. He had
made his boast that he could lead me to
the altar any day.. but vas too much Of
a child, besides too poor. I grew .indig'
nant, said I did not believe it; but. oh !!
the serpent's trail had entered my Eden !;
my happiness was over; l lost confidence
in Harry; I treated him coldly and gave
no reason; Iwould never meet him alone
again; / gave him no time OF chance for.
explanation. l asked for none. Iwant-
ed none !; I believe / was half crased at
that time. I left school and vent home.
I begged papa to send me away. but this
could not be done. I worried on for six
months and then. fell i'll. For weeks I
lay at the point Of death. Physicians at
tended me, different remedies we're sp-
piled; they shook their heads, I knew they
thought I would die, I was glad and pray
ed for death. but youth and merciful
Providence triumpbed over the grim mon
ster. Again I was up. ! went on visit
to friend there I met young man from
Virginia, he was very attentive. Again
my heart was touched. He had had mis-
fortunes and had had dire ones. We
sympathized with each other He asked
me for my love. I told him I had none to
bestow; he pleaded; I gave him half.
way engagement, told him to leave me for
six months and then, if he still loved me.
I would marry him. I refused to CORES
pond, but l heard from him frequently !;
be always spoke of me as bis darling, and
always pleaded through his friend for per-
mission to. write to me. These tender
messages touched me at last. I consent
ed. "A few letters were exchanged and
then came the sweet news. in three weeks
1 am coming to claim my darling |
grew happy and looked forward to the
meeting With joy. But. alas! was again
to suffer Ore morning 1 came in chat
ting gaily with young friend, with when
l had been spending the night. The first
words that greeted me we're: Walter
Hays is dead!' I stood trans6xed. My
friend exclaimed, 'What. Walter dead =
Yes; he died just one week ago. Oh!
how I suffered I went silently to my
room; I sat down; no tears came. I was
hurt too deep for that. None of the fam
lily knew Of the engagement and | thought
it too late then, He was dead and bur-.
ried. I should never see him again. he
too had kept che secret we'll; but. when
dying, es he clasped his aunt's hand, said:
To die, just as / have something to live
for, oh, it is hard! Brother, 60 to my