The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-05-01
A Novel in One Chapter.

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the current accidents Of social intercourse,
there came together, and got interested in
each other, in an Atlantic city, young man
and young woman. The man was educa-
ted, in professional life, of good social rank, g,
and generally esteemed of more than average
ability. Those who thought best of him
believed he was sure, socGer or later, 10 do
great things.
In the mean time, he had the misfortune
to be poor. The young woman was the
daughter of rich manufacturer. She had
been brought up to attach at least its proper
value to money, and, in fact, to attach too
much credit to its possession.
She had too much innate refinement to be
purse-proud; but living always with those
who, possibly for lack of anything better,
pique themselves on their possessions, Is not
likely TO have a wholesome effect on impress
sionable youth. Be this as it may, an affec-
ton sprang up between these two people,
avowed in time on both sides, cemented by
every reciprocal pledge of fidelity.
The matter became known, after space,
to the lady's family, and then began the
peculiar phase of the story that has now
reached its climax. An explanation having
become necessary, the lover was confronted
with the statement from his perfdious
adored one, that he had totally misconceived
her feelings and intentions. There was
much talk, bat this was the gist and end of
it. The invention was as palpable as its
purpose.
Astonished as was the poor fellow, he was
equally helpless. Either the girls own pride
or the stress of family influence, had led her
to adopt a course, which, however painful
or however wicked, presented the advantage
of admitting absolutely of no appeal. Be
wildered, humiliated and stricken to the
heart, the suitOr accepted the situation like
a brave, if also like a sensitive man. Adieux
were exchanged in the guise of friendIineSs,
but when the discarded admirer went away
he made up his mind that he had gone away
forever. The play and the reality are in
precise accord here, and they continue Won
derfully so to the end
Years rolled by, and the affluent manu-
facturer, who had thought himself far away
beyond the caprice Of fortune, by a series of
unlucky chances became slightly embarrassed
Tight money markets, the failure of CORES
pondents, the encroachments of competitors,
a reduced demand in his special trade, each, =,
or all, increased this embarrassment until at
last, in advanced age, and living in most
expensive MANNER, he found himself on the
brink Of failure and ruin. Pending this,
the 'whirligigs of time had been at work
in good earnest. The man who had been so
dextrously-or shamelessly-cozenedo out Of
his bride, partly by the force of his natural
genius, partly by good fortune. had risen
to wealth and power.
By one of those strange chances which it
is the fashion to say happen only on the
stage, or in sensation romance, but which
do in sooth often come to pass in real life,
the key, so to speak, to the manufacturers
position fell into this gentleman's hands.
Notes to large amount made by the former
CrOesus, potential influence with the corpo-
rations and individuals with whom his
affairs were most blended, were at the
control of the lover of five years ago. By Il
natural process again, it fell out that the
old position was resumed, but this time
under happier nuspice-- IT natural
that the younger man should hail with JOY
the chance to recover his lost love. An en-
gagement was soon made, then, on terms
easy to imagine, and this time without any
lying or equiyocation.
The relative situations had changed, and
there was room both for happy revival of
the past and polite silence concerning it.
On the bridal day the groom presented him
IL. -
family and friends, came the climax. Ii i
not to be justified, and yet none can say it
was not righteous reuibution. To be
brief, the bridegroom, in the drama aud the
reality, are in the same exact accordance up
to the catastrophe.
On the morning OF the day fixed for the
wedding, and at an hour fixed for signing
necessary papers, the bridegroom proceeded
calmly to tell the whole truth Of his relations
with the young lady and her family. liav-
ing recited the nature Of his proyooatIon, he
wound up by announcing that Of his revenge.
This consisted in his utter refusal ever 10
wed the woman he once had loved, and to
whom he had thus been for Il second time
affianced. The Indignation aud excitement
that followed need not be described. The
act was cruel, unnanly; but it must be re
membered that for years the iron had been
cutting into the perpetrators soul. In the
play, the girl, who, throughout everything,
tenderly loves the man whom she once be=
trayed, and 50 taught to betray herself,
marries him after all, when she is just dying
of broken heart. In the drama of real
life, the action has proceeded only as far as
we have related.