The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1875-09-17
CHAPTER XVIII.
MARTHA MARTIN

Florence arose at dawn, unrefreshed
and feverish, and sought the cool breezes
of the garden. A fountain there threw
up its limpid waters in the bracing air,
falling again into a reservoir, from
which they escaped and coursed away
in noisy rivulet. She supposed that
no one but herself was astir at that
early hour, and stood, gazing at the
busy fountain, and leaning listIessly
against the back of one of the arbor
seats; her hair thrown back and. eyes
cast down, while the refreshing breeze
played upon her fevered cheeks, and
tossed her curls in every direction over
her head.
She suddenly heard footsteps upon the
pavement. Herbert had arisen with
the larks, and walked at a rapid pace
through the city, trying to calm his
nervous agitation, which he considered
foolish. Hearing the fountains gleeful
play, he stopped involuntarily TO gaze
upon its foaming waters. His eyes met
Florence's startled look, and marked
the deep-hued flush that crimsoned her
cheeks. He bowed and was trying to
think of something to say, when to his
surprise she turned and entered the
house.
'My tongue never fails to serve me in
any ones presence but hers ~ he NUT
tered, as he continued his walk.
Florence entered her room, sat down
and addressed long letter to her be-
trothed, informing him of her early at
tachment and unexpected meeting with
Herbert
"This unfortunate engagement has given me
any amount Of trouble for the two past days.
The art of Irritation you know I have never
learned. 1 thought was to marry you, and
believed loved you deeply, sincerely. Subse-
quent events have sounded the shallow depths
OF my attachment shall ever love you as a
friend, but to know that the object of my dear
est affection is still alive-that he loves me with
a sincerity only equaled by my regard for him,
and still consent to fulfill an engagement that
was, 1 thought, sincerely made, but now re-
pented; would be doing you an injustice.
81 hold that as one man was made for one
woman, where the attachment is not wholly
reciprocal between the two persons, they had
better seek further or remain unmarried, than
TO enter into a lifelong engagement, which
both may repent when retractiOn is impossible.
81 do not now believe that you love me as
you are capable of loving, and if you will an
null this engagement you may one day be able
10 say to me, when we can both laugh over the
incidents Of the past, that your attachment for
me was but a delusive dream, which, instead
of strengthening with your strength, has disap-
peared before the enchanting loveliness of a
more congenial companion. 1 consider you a
gentleman OF honor, and believe that you will
think more highly Of me for having made this
confession, than you would if I had fulfilled an
engagement which both of us might have sin
cerely repented. Wishing TO remsin upon
terms of friendship with you, and desiring you
10 regard me as a sister, close this humble
confession. Please answer at your earliest con-
venience, for you know not the struggle my
spirit is enduring"
The letter was dispatched to Mr.. War
ren's law Office, in the care of one of the
children of the family with whom she
resided. She loDged to answer Herbert's
letter, but did not feel at liberty to do
so until she should hear from Henry.
After breakfast there was another
leisure hour before school time, but
Florence could not be still, and to make
the time pass more agreeably she pro-
ceeded to the academy. Miss Martin,
the music teacher, was there before her,
and the quiet solitude she had hoped to
find for an hour in the sehool-room
must be sought elsewhere. She bowed,
and turned to go to the library, but
Miss Martin detained her.
"You were at Mrs. Cards soiree last
night?"she said, inquiringly.
"Yes, ma'am.p
"Did you become acquainted with
Mr.. Goodwin and bis sister?''
81 saw them there, but knew them ON
the Plains."
'Indeed! / became acquainted with
them there. They were but children
when knew them, but was deeply in.