Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-07-28
A FORTUNATE BLUNDER.
How "a Broken Bank Enabled
Ellen Neal 10 Discover Between
Hthe True II cart, and thc Ea'se''
tWhai's that You say, Haydenl the


Ellen Neal 10 Discover Between
"the True Heart, and thc Ea'se.''
"What's that you say, Hayden9 The
Bolton Bank broke 1t cant be posi-
bic "
And Frederick Wells, who had been
reclining in one chair, with his feet rest
ing on the back of another, the very pic
tuTe of indolent enjoyment sprang TO
his feet, tipping over his chair, and send
ing the cigar he was smoking to the fur
Their end of the room.
eyes it is; it is here in the paper, as
you can see for yourself. But what is it
to you2 Did you have anything invested
there ?n
emo; but Miss Neal hsd-which
amounts to about the same thing"
An air of intense chsgrin overspread
his handsome, though rather effeminate
features, as he read the paragraph to
which his companion pointed.
"Confound it," he muttered, 'it's
always my luck to have my dish tipped
over Just when it's full Though | must
say, if it's got to come, that I'm glad it
happened the month before, rather than
the month after our marriage"
Charles Hayden, young man whose
features, though less regularly formed,
were expressive of far more manllness
and goodness of heart, gazed at the
speaker with an air of uudisguised aston
ishment.
'eWhy go, Wellsl you surely did not
seek the hard of Miss Neal simply for
her money!"
'Well, nc: l can't say that. She is 8
most lovely and charming woman, and 1t
really cuts me 10 the heart to give her up.
But then I'm too poor to afford such 8
luxury. And Miss Neal can no more sf
ford to marry poor man than poor
girl. So we're shout even"
Sand have you nc thought for the pain
that your desertion will inf1ict upon the
heart you have wont" asked Hayden, in
a tone of suppressed Indignation
''Softly, my dear fellow" said Wells,
who had resumed his former comfortable
position, and was solacing himself with q
fresh cigar. 81 hardly think that it will
be any such desperate aft Iir to Miss Neal
as you suppose. Indeed, I've thought
several times of late, that had it not
been for her foolishly high idea of the
binding nature of such a promise, she
would have broken the engagement her
| SELF
"And knowing this you would have
held her to its fulfllment."
mot being sufficiently disinterested 10
refuse the gift of fifty thousand dollars,
| rather think | should"
''You are Dot worthy of 9 trUe-hearted
woman, like Ellen Neal J" was the indig-
| nant response.
ssThen so much the better for her, that
| should leave her to be appropriated by
some one that is-yOu for instance. II
strikes me that you used to be somewhat
interested in that quarter; now is the
time, old fellow, for you to go in and
win"
Charles Hayden scarcely felt or heard
| the covert sneer in these words, so much
was he engrossed by the new born hope
that had sprung up in bis heart, and
which made its pulses beat so quickly
and strongly.
$50 you are to be married next month
my dear ~ said Mr.. Thornly, to hrs ward,
| Ellen Neal.
eyes, believe so" was the rather in
different reply.
Mir. Thornly studied his wards face
for q moment with his keen eyes.
81 don't believe you care two siraws
| for Frederick Wells.
ooh! not so bad as that guardie," said
Ellen, with q faint smile; " though
have sometimes feared that | don't give
him the affection that he deserves. lie
seems to be very strongly attached to
me-"
"Humpbl my opinion of Frederick
Wells is, that he is too much in love with
his own handsome face to be very much
attached 10 any woman
'SYou are too severe. Any way,
have promised, and cann)t bIeak my
word.
ooh; no, certainly no.; far better bresi
your heart.
81 don't believe I've got any," was ihi
I laughing rejOinder. 'It l have, "
never been able to discover it. Nevs
fear for me, guardie; dare say | sha
be as happy with frederick as with am
onen
Yet in spite of these lightly Spoken
words, there rose up before her menta
] vision one with whom she knew SD