Middletown transcript., 1871-03-25

"ut course l do Ed, or wouldn'i
marry him What an absurd question =
l said. blushing in spite Of myreif.
Cousin. said ho gravely. ! intended
spending this vacation with Walter. but
gave up the visit in order to co,ne home
and save you from marrying william. y
What do you mean, Edgar. by talk
ing that way?" asked nngrily. " be
careful what you say Mr.. Dunbar is no
william"
Helen are you prepared to receive a
great shock To crush your idol under
your feet II you are read this" he said
pitingly, handing mo folded fheet
Of closely written note rapcr II is q
letter written to Mr.. Newell by Mr.. Dun
bar. Walter recognized your name in IL,
as have spoken Of you frequently 70 him,
and giving it to me, babe me hasten home
aud save you"
took il with a smile. wondering what
joke Ed was trying to play on me now /;
but when opened Il, aad recognized
Philips nutography, and saw his sigma
ture at the bottom, my heart grew strange
" cold. Socn my eyes became rivi,ed to
tho words before me. The pan Of cur
rants slipped from my lap to the floor. but
| needed it not, only to clench the dread
ful paper more tightly In my closed 6ng-
ers. This was the paragraph that for q
few moments seemed TO freeze the blood
in my veins:
RICHMOND. Va. Nov. Cd. 1s-
Ny Deer Friend Ncpeu: u:-Congratu-
late me On my speedy marriage | was
rasticating while in ~, Conn ec..rut
last summer, and willie tAcre, formed the
acquaintance Of four danse.s, fresh iso..i
boarding school. With tho exceptica CT
ore. Bertha uaywes4, they were all ready
TO fall into my arms t IN, memen., SO it
was hard TO make a eho:cn Fana:e Pal
mel was sue. saacy lit.9 sp;:ta .has
w,s afraid Q. her aud goon cast her asida.
Lucy Ne-n vas nearer ny style o. beaG,
than 81 :. lie Others, ana II sLe only
possessed little moro ii ths worlas
goo'.s, / could have loved her without amy
trouble. 3ut yoa l:now I eouldn', ,hiai
Of marrying wife whom | would hay. To
support oy my own iaoor. I sL.an,: irot
coming down to the Leiseas. heleu Del
mont, the u liesL Of the four but | had
to O. Il, :ur my fortune is ekcing out rar-
.ily. and must have some money pretty
soon by some means. am gpng up next
month to urge her father to give us an
carly wedding, hoping that The old dog
will settle handsome marriage portion
upon the bride. and that he will not hang
on to this onrth too long. can pu, up
with her hnmely face. for shall not spend
tnneh time with Ec-. | am sorry she
takes tho matter 20 seriously | believe
she really loves ne. ! came home 10 IN
form mother of my good fortune, atd she
nearly went into ocstee:as over 1t. II it
wns cnly Lucy. should feel more recon-
eiled to my fate Eu. slppose | ahall
have TO make tha best c. il 10. the sake Of
a million or more. and kiss M bride. as ]
believe it is customary to do-though it
will be hard pill to swallow
could read no further All my deep
pure Lore had turned to fierce hatred, aud
had Philip Dunbar appeared in the door
way then. | would have taken my fathers
rifle and deliberately shot him dead at my
feet j" Poor Lucy You. too, have wor-
shipped false idol. murmurod, and
leaving Edgar alone in the pantry. took
the letter TO her as she sat in the library
weaving beautiful wreath Of evergreen
As passed ilroguh the dining room.
threw his oa,hsome he,ro,ha! ring into the
fire.
She bore the news Of his deception more
calmly than expected she woull though
her white checks faded to M ashcn hue,
and her pale lip parted, and qnivercd like
dying leaves in the rude December blast
For an hour VIC sat silently clasping each
others hanl our hearts too full 10 sraak.
Then putting her arms around my neck
she exclaimed: 1T has been bitter
stroke TO to you, Helen, but forget him
He is unworthy Of single regret de-
-pisc him now as deeply as ] ever loved
him We have both suffered both had
cruel lesson given us Let US profit BY
it, and no longer humiliate ourselves so
much rs TO barbor one single ray Of aiiec-
ton for him in our hearts; This will be
more effective cure for my failing health
than whole apothccary store or years
sojourn at the sor-sidc'
l caught the spirit Of her bravery and
tore the hated image from its sacred shrine.
We arose, and with mutual consent went
down to break the news to the others.
BERTHE clasped an arm around each Of us.
apd in low tone whispered " Thank
God. you are both savedm Charles eyes
flashed fcrcely, and he solcmly declared
TINT either he or Philip Dunbar must die
Tomorrow.
"Pshaw !" said Fannie. ''That would
be awful stupid kind Of fun. Lets pay
him back in his own coin. and then shoot
him. have thought Of an excellent
plan." and clapping her hands. she ran
out Of tho room. rcappcaring in few
minutes with Edgar, both laughing hear
tily.
Girls" said she. =. I'm dreadful glad
to SEQ you such good pluck. lfyou had
gone and cohimpercd and cried over that
miserable scamn. | should have blown him