Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1875-07-23

reporting this conversation to me, "yOu
must discourage any further attentions
from this Breeze Rogers. He is no COM
panion for you, the betrothed of Rollin
Weatherbee. | think we have been
sufficiently kind to him for the service he
did you. and | do hope the acquaintance,
or at least the familiar footing on which
he has placed himself, will be discon-
tinued in future. 1t is not proper for a
bride-elect to be associating so Familiarity
with strange young man OF whom she
knows no good. You should tell him of
your approaching marriage and then his
attentions would undoubtedly cease if he
has any sense of honor whatever"
The necessity was saved me- That very
afternoon my mother took the task upon
herself Breeze came to Merideth House,
| and found me absent gathering MOSES.
He sat down in the cool porch, and fell to
| chatting in his light. careless, easy way
with my mother. How it happened I do
not know, but mother happened to speak
of my approaching marriage.
1t was almost dark when I reached the
avenue that led up to Merideth House. A
1.-THE figure stood leaning against the gate
way as I sauntered by, my hands full of
MOSES. "Good evening" I said, gayly.
"Will you walk up with me?''
He did not answer save to step forward,
draw my arm within his, and turn me
away from the house, down toward the
lake
"We will 60 this way" he said and
felt the fire Of his eyes burned my check
to a flame. We walked so in dreadful
silence for moment; then he spoke:
Is this thing true your mother tells
me?" he asked.
"What thing?" almost whispered.
you know!'' he answered, fiercely.
Is it true that you are to be the wife of a
white-faced aristocrat next October? That
you are here to make your preparations ?"
"Yes.'' The word came reluctantly
and almost with a gasp. He took my
hands in his and looked down upon me.
"You shall not-you shall not'' he
Kissed. 81 love you, you are mine, now
and forever"
Before I could speak or cry out he had
taken me in his arms and was raining
kisses upon my lips. Twas young, roman
tic and impulsive. This man had aroused
a strange feeling in my breast, that now,
as lay in his arms, [ believed must be
love. | could see the reckless beauty of
his face as it bent above me and almost
unconsciously / clasped my arms about
his neck, sobbing wildly, and whispering,
ooh, if | had known you sooner-if it
were not too late.''
1t is not too late," he cried, passion
ately, straining me to his heart. You
are mine, now and for all time. You must
be my wifem
"But | cannot" I sobbed. 81 am
bound to another-the wedding day draws
near"
81 care nothing for that You must
wed me and no other. / cannot give you
up.''
His imperious manner, his impassioned
earnestness aroused my girlish admira-
ton. He seemed like some knight of
olden romance to me, beside whom ROllin
Weatherbee, with his patrician beauty, was
completely ovcrshadowed. We walked
long in the cleaning, he pleading, l
hesitating, almost yielding, but leaving him
at length with no definite decision. For
three weeks [ met Rogers clandes-
timely each day and listened to his
words of passionate devotion, and
let him imprint warm kisses upon
my lips. Day after day he urged
me to fly with him, but, though believed
loved him better than | had ever loved
Roilin Weatherbee, / hesitated to make
him any promise, and strange fear of
him held me back from flight. Yet each
day my resolution grew weaker, each day
the mans hold upon me and power upon
me became stronger At last came an
afternoon late in September. I was to
meet Breeze that evening, and stood look
ing out at the gorgeous sunset, with a
heart full of contending emotions, when
mamma came into the room. "ROse,"
she said, "you remember Breeze Rogers,
who came here so often some time ago."
Remember him! but only said: Yes,
mother" in very low voice.
"Well. HARDWOOD tells me painful
thing in connection with him. She says
her husband tells her it Is the neighbor-
hood talk now. 1t seems there is very
lovely young girl, a. gardeners daughter,
Cora Smith by name, whom Breeze has
been very attentive to for some months.
The girls father says she is betrothed to
him. At all events he has been most
ardent lover for year or more, and now,
without word or any apparent cause, he
has deserted her; has not been near her
for two months, and the girl is very ill
calling for him constantly, but he does
not go near her. 1t is thought she will die.
She is poor, frail, childish thing, and
never knew what it was to suffer before.
III is very Sdu. w Hat d ucdII IcSS NlIldlu
he must bei''
NV heart seemed to die within me. A
rush of emotion, shame, anger, grief, mis-
placed love and wounded pride fought to-
gether in my breast Oh! how mean the
man was whom I had placed above Rollin
Weatherbee in my hearts affection. How
| despised him for that moment. Then l
began to think it might not be so-there
might be some mistake. 81 will go to
him tonight" l thought, land I shall
know
did GO when the shadows of the gloam-
ing settled down over the earth. | found
him waiting for me. He held out his
arms, but | stood aloof.
$50 to Cora Smith," | SAID "She is
entitled to your caresses-she wants them
I do not"
needed no further proof of his guilt.
His face turned crimson from brow to
chin, and then pale as death.
"What do you know of her?" he cried,
hoarsely. "Who has been telling you
lies?''
"No one,n answered Your face is
proof of the truth of all have heard. /
will make this our last meeting. My eyes
are opened in time, thank God! | do not
want to set them upon you again. Do not
try to see me, for it will be useless. / ut
terly despise you. Go back to the only
person who believes you worthy of love-
who is dying for you."
turned and sped back to the house,
and for two weeks scarcely stepped outside
its walls. I was i'll in mind and body
MY unreasoning, romantic folly, that |
had called love, died suddenly at one
blow, and knew there was only oneman
in the world | loved, or ever had loved,
and that one man was Rollin Weatherbee
n. e..