Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1875-05-05

"Our souls metz in q buggy ride in
the country. He declared his love, and
his feelings Il am honest in cOnfessing)
were reciprocated. Yet he never pro-
posed a marriage. He had communi-
Gated the same thrilling and interesting
secret to many blooming girl before,
and doubtless committed it to many
others after our "love feast" ended.
1t took us girls months, nay, years to
understand hun. There was such a
power of fascination, so much beauty,
such seeming depth of candOr and
sincerity in his manners, his bearing
and his attentions that all were willing
to "hug delusion,n and compromise
with doubts and misgivings in believing
HIM a lover in earnest. Each young
lady was ready to contest that his
heart was in the right place and in her
keeping. Each one believed most
assuredly that he was a devoted lover
of her own. Such Is the credulity and
trustfulness of young hearts
Nature had blessed or cursed this
young man with fine exterior. He
was tall in stature and of graceful pro-
portions. There was a native ease and
elegance In his manners and movements
not often seen. and which deties descrip
ton. His handsome features seemed
cast in mould, blended with masculine
and feminine loveliness. The high
brow and beautifully formed head
were adorned with wealth of light
brown hair. HIS eyes were a peculiar
blue in color, but their chief attraction
and power existed i'll the expression.
The nose was Grecian; and the teeth
were of good form, OF chaste color and
regular outline. Dimples were in part
concealed by struggling beard, which
was not allowed to attain its full growth
upon his handsome face. His mouth
was sweetly formed, and smile irradi-
ated every feature of his face.
There was none of the dandy or
cOxcOmb in his appearance or charac-
ter; he was an agreeable man in every
sense of the term made his mark well
in society, and loved the beautiful most
ardently. Nature formed him to
bewitch, to enchain, and he accepted
the boon and acted out his part to per-
fectlOn. The conquest of hearts
seemed to be his destiny, and he won
because 1t was his province to do sO,-|
then tOyed with the affections bestowed
upon him, without being conscious of
intlicting any pain; nor did he deem it
wrong to tritie with all hearts spell
bound by his enchantment. He be-
guiled with smile, deceived with n
glanced, yet felt no cOmpunctiOn or
responsibility for a stitled sigh or
blighted hope of his disappointed vic
tim. He tlattered and caressed and
conjured up the fabric of a vision and
left wreck behind, with no predilec-
ton whatever of unfair dealing to his
ideal for the moment or fearful results
tn his own moral nature. lie basked IN
al Il.
relentings ut the shrine he wOrshipped.
His career seemed onward when |
married, took leave and lost sight of
him in the Surging current of time and
events.
Years wanel and summers vanished.
A gentle rap was heard and answered
at our chamber door. 4 tall, gaunt,
attennated figure stood there, spectre
like. Was ii Il dream-a visiong No.
\ tattered son of fortune stood upon
the threshold and knocked for entrance.
There was some embarrassment and a
hidden disquiet abont him for the
mOment-a faded smile frightened his
care-worn features, and the eyes lit up
once again with their wonted witchery
their magic was not lost. A some
thing. je ne Sdis qUOi, thrilled us with
emotions, and the old feelings came
back again. The recollectiOns were
sad. but vivid we called to mind
the bright episodes of his life, but now,
alasi the glory had departed from him.
The fearful truth broke upon us: he
had never married, was a mere waif
upon time, and struggling with life's
battles alone-had no one to love; was
minus of friends. a bankrupt and very
disSipated Alas "what shadows we
are and what shadows we pursue"
Rn-F II ,NIPpEN