Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-05-17

incorrigible gawky; but do not throw
yourself away. But how nicely that
letter did scatter Miss Hates obsequ-
Gus lovers; she ought to thank the
writers of that precious mlssiye for
putting them to the test
It has injured Kate's feelings
severely: she is deeply wounded.
1t always makes me laugh to see
| the lordly Mr. Allen lass on the other
side when he meets Kate; he was so
lately all bows and pohteness; it is
| first rate.
| '3ut she feels it too severely; |
never committed an act for which |
was so heartily sorry and thoroughly
ashamed. / 10 wish it could die
away
| 'Fie upon such susceptibility! 1t is
capital joke; do enjoy it.
Mr.. Edsall was one of tho first that
had been mentioned in the letter, and
the fashings Of embittered pen had
been keenly felt by him, for he was
possessed of fine and noble feelings
and the thought that his poverty and
awkwardness should be brought for
ward rs an approbrious stain. stung
him to the very soul, and most severe
| ly did he censure the writer Of such a
malicious article. He had often met
Miss Bowen, and admired her for the
gentleness of her nature, the softness
and delicacy of her manners, as well
as for her genuine and cultivated
intellect; and be often looked into her
sweet face and secretly dared wish
that he might call the treasure his.
Caroline priced highly the noble, gen
erous-heartcd man, and as she con-
versed with him she could not but ad-
mire the lofty aspirations Of his gifted
intellect, and then sink in self-abase-
ment at the remembrance of the sar-
castle letter.
Time passed swiftly by, and the re-
membrance Of that Inflated anony-
nous letter was vanishing from the
public mind MIR. Edsall had in his
daily intercourse with Caroline, seen
more and more to admire and love;
the sweet communings of her gentle
nature seemed to draw her closer and
closer to him, and as they wandered
forth one soft balmy twilight. he
dreamed the tale Of his love into her
willing ear, and as he poured out the
aspirations Of his heart upon the altar
of his love, Caroline could but tremble,
for was she not the one who had first
east the shadow of shame upon his
unspotted name. But the deep ardent
love which she so ferventlY recipro-
cated-s should she check the ebbings
of that bright and sunny sheen which
would be the light of her existence !?
All, no; she had not the courage to
do so, and she allowed him 10 still be-
lieve her gui'eless and free from de-
ceit; and in the happiness Of future
anticipations almost forgot the sad
dened past, with its sotnber shade.
Ellen Jackson had been for some
months absent, and returned home
about three weeks after the engage
ment of her friend Caroline 10 Mr.
Edsall; her heart had for long time
paid homage at the shrine Of his in
tellcct, and she had seen with sorrow
that the fervcnt admiration she felt
was not rociprocated by him. Stung
with jealous disappointment, she re-
solved that Caroline should not at
least bear off the inestimable prize,
and in few evenings after her return
she encountered him at the mansion
Of Mr. Bowen, Intentionally upon her
part Envy, chagrin, and disap
pointment seemed to give energy to
her determination, and she purposely
introduced the subject Of that almost
forgotten anonymous letter, as they
were gathering around the center
table. Caroline's cheek was blanched
in moment and with an appealing
look, she glanced her eye at Ellen.
but the beseeching look was unan
swered Mi. EdsaIl spoke with more
than his usual energy and warmth
aud severely denounced the writer Of
such calumnious article.
Il could never said he, respect OR
love person that could stoop to such
an act Of duplicity or meanness; there
was no excuse; it was entirely I'M
founded.
Poor Caroline! The tear-drops
rushed into her eyes; her punishment
had but Just begun. As the evening
wore away, and Miss Jackson arose
to depart, Mr. Edsall offered to escort
her home and, as he parted from
Caroline, he could not fail to mark
the air of detection which stole over
her features. Anxjously inquirng
the cause, she tried to Danish the
cloud, and under the plea of slight
indispositioD, concealed the truth; a
sad, foreboding thought crossed her
mind
No, it cannot bel she exclaimed
Ellen would not be so cruel or So
base as to betray me when she her
self commenced it, and led me on
But Ellen did, and in heartless
manner, too; not even mentioning the
part she herself had in it Sad and
sleeplesS passed that night to poor
Caroline; the morning sun found her
languid, with an aching head. She
descended to the breakfastroom,
where she soon received line from
Mr. Edsall, couched in perfectly pc
lite but cold terms, requesting a few
moments interview. Soon after she
heard his well-known ring at the door
Desponding, she met him Her heart
told her too true that he was changed.
Leading her to seat, he instantly
commenced the painful topic.
Ellen told me all, but | denied the
statement. She asserted it positively;
but still, from no lips but your own
will | believe it. l. it so? Were You
really the author of that cruel letter
Can | have been deceived in you? SO
sadly, too?'
1t is, indeed, so. Mr Edsall; but, il
tears of deep penitence and sincere
regret avail aught, the sin has been