Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1873-06-19

| utu uot lofSet MY eHSaSeIllenG; j
did not wish to go, and I am very glad
that you accompanied him." And she
laughed with triumph as she wonder
ed to herself how Scott wsuld receive
this intelligence.
A short period after this occurrence
Leona joined Edith in her room, say
ing, Il have a secret to communicate
to you. Will you swear to keep it ?'
81 bind myself by no oath, my sister
if you cannot trust my promise
swell, may I tell you?"
''Certainly, my dear, if You desire tc
do so, and your disclosure shall remain
a secret with me-"
81 am betrothed," whispered Leona
''This is no secret; I have long sus-
pected the same"
"Why don't you ask me to whom p
continued Leona.
"Willis Danvers, of course" return.
ed Edith.
"Oh, no. Charles Scott is the man.
/ Edith paled and sank into chair
while Leona continued
''I have no desire to infct suffering
upon you, and I hope you will be calm,
and not take too much to heart mat
ters that we are powerless to change.
You always called me cold, and deem
ed me a heartless eoquette. Edith,
you misjudge me. I am not not the
cold nature that I appear; my love is
a part of my life. I have loved Chas.
Scott since first met him, with an in
tensity that | can no longer conceal.
And our love is mutual
''Impossible!' said Edith, shudder-
ing.
Edith had proud spirit, and she
feltgrosslyinsulted, as well as stunned,
by the shock of this revelation yet she
remained calm, until the door was
closed upon her, and she was alone,
when she gave vent to her feelings and
paroxysm of grief burst from her, and
tears fell thick and fast, like dapping g
"Alas," sobbed she, ~ have felt that
Leona loved Scott; now I am sure of
it. And Charles Scott, whom I have
deemed so true and honorable; he
whom | have trusted with such un-
wavering faith, has deceived me, and
shamefully wronged the heart that is
all his own. Had he confessed all,
would have released him with my bless
ing, for would not be an obstacle in
the path of his future happiness. l was
too trusting to doubt them for mo-
ment.
"Merciful heaven! help me and grant
me power to sustain myself in my hour
of trial; give me strength to pass this
ordeal. I could leave the brigtht and
beautiful world without pang; but to
live life of darkness and solitude, sor-
rowing llmy days, is worse than death.
For the dread Of death is relieved by
bright visions of eternity, while dead
affection withers to decay, like the
flower which fades to bloom no more"
The day following, Willis came to
see Edith, and his pale face told the
sad tale of discarded lover.
His light brown hair was carelessly
thrown back, revealing his pale, mar
ble-like brow and his liquid blue eyes
wore an expression of sadness, yet the
same genial smile played upon his thin
lips as usual, as he gave Edith sweet
little poem on 'FFriendship," saying, Il
must live for that alone; as friendship
developes out of love, it becomes a spir-
itual bond of companionship. leone
to you, Edith, in the friendliness of
brother, where there is no waste ofI
loving words, and where every thought
vlbrates in kindness and sympathy,
pure and unselish. Edith, my love,
life has faded into oblivion. | had re-
allied the dearest wish of my anticipa-
ton; l had found the ideal of my life
dream, and [ painted her in nv visions
as one who was pure enough to mingle
with the angels of a beautiful world.
l had found the star of my love, and
placed it in the cloudless heavens of
eternal bliss. But like the bright spir-
its from the higher realms she vanish
ed, and [ awoke from the bright vision,
to find myself alone, and no echo an
sWers back to the heart thati enshroud-
ed in the sombre shades of morning,
for one loved, though lost"
Edith had expected this, and she
poured out her heartfelt sympathy
She knew the pain that such a blow
inflicted, and it cost her an effort to
restrain her tears.
''This is very wrong in Leona," said
she; ''she should not have promised