The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-10-01

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ing but strife, violence and despair"
"Were that the case, you know, quoth
Armand, with ieigned sprightllness
"my theory tails to the ground; and, ib
telling you my story, l sm only imper-
tiuently taking advantage of your good
nature 10 make onfession, and thus
ease somewhat troubled mind. Listen
to the end; it is notfar of.
ave reached grotto on the borders
of little lake, where, to my surprise, al
elegant breakfast was laid out. There
were two seats placed ready, and Fline,
the maid, was there to serve. we
partook of tie meal together, talking OF
everything except ourselves, but think
ing of nothing else. Once or twice
reflection on the oddity of this reception
fitted across my mind but l thought
that | had fallen in with some eccentric
mistress of the castle-such as one reads OF
in Middle Age romances-who was proud
to give hospitality to a wandering artist.
The lady called me Hector, and ! called
her Andromache; and, under the intu-
ence of some generous wine that came
in with the dessert, 1 went so lar as to
declare that my love for her was I'M
bounded and that she must be my BRIDE.
| was thrown into ecstasles OF delight by
the frank reply that it only depended
upon me to fix the day! What follies l
committed / scarcely recollect; but l
know that Flfne scolded me, and said
that for well-educated young man l
was dreadfully forward.
uAnbat Al dal;nbtf,,I balf- hnur that
which succeeded The entrance OF the
grotto was Wresthed with vines. The
ripples of the lake broke upon little
beach OF sand that seemed OF gold dust;
the path by which we had come along
ran at the foot of u precipice for about
thirty yards, and then climbed steep
bank; the expanse of wster-possibly 1t
was merely large pool, but these things
magnify in memOry-nestled at the feet
OF some lofty wooded slopes, which, with
the pure blue sky, it reflected. We sat
side by side, hand in hand; but Fifne,
whose notions of propriety were extreme
ly rigid, expostulated vehemently. |
whispered that she ought TO be sent away,
and Andromache was, perhaps, of my
opinion, but she did not venture to agree
with me aloud. Thus the hour passed in
silent happiness, for our hearts soon be
came too iull for words, and | solemn y
declare that to spend such another day
| would discount ten years of my exis-
tence.
GAS evening drew near and l began
to dream of the delights OF a twilight
stroll along the margin of the lake
FItne pitiessly suggested an adjourn
ment to the chateau. The word grated
harshly on my ear, l Tad almost pictured
to myself the lady as dryad or n
nymph, living ever amidst trees and grot-
toes But prosy Fifne carried her point,
and in half an hour we were In the sa- !
loon of most comfortable modern dwell
ling furnished with Partisan elegance.
Several very commonplace looking serv-
ants stared at me rs entered. My ro-
mantle ideas at once received a shock.
Five minutes afterwards post-chaise
rolled up to the door, and stout old
gentleman, accompanied by a tall, hand
some Young man, issued theretrom.
Why should l give you the ludicrous
detail of the eXplanatlon2 Andromsche
was betrothed to NJ. Hector Chose, but
she had never seen him. Her father,
wealthy naturalist, had gone that day to
meet the bridegroom at neigboring
town. The young lady, who was Of
romantic disposition, had described me IN
the park and had fancied this was pre-
arranged surprise. She had got up the
breakfast IN the grotto, and had made
my acquaintance rs l have related. L
answered to the name of Hector; she
naturally retorted Andromache. This
was the whole explanation OF the mistake
| was overwhelmed with shame when
the father and the real Hector with vo-
cIferous laughter undeceived me, and
the Young lady herself went away in |
tears of vexat on. For u moment | hoped |
that had produced an inetfaceable I'M
preston; but | was soon undecelved. In
nv NOR idcatlon | insulted Hector. A
hostile meeting was the result. L re-
ceived severe wound, and lay long
time helpless in a neighboring hamlet.
Still my love WAS not cured. Even when
| heard that the marriage had been cele-
brated persisted in looking upon the
bride ss my Andromsche; but when
Nine. DucIIque, her cousin, came 10 see
me she destroyed all my illusions. An.
dromache, she said, though with much
sfiectation of romance, was very matter
ot-fact parsonage, and remembered our
love-passage only rs ridiculous mistake.
She had married Hector not only without
repugnsnce, but delight. He brought
her anything she deslred-s handsome
person, fine fortune and exalted
posiLion-and he was the first to joke on
the subject OF that poor counterfeit
Hector
"This interview cured me at once. l
discovered that was strong enough to
leave the Paradise | had lost
Nine. Duclioue, an amiable and beauti-
tul person, gave me y seat in her carriage
and drove me to the town OF Argues. |
feel grateful to my Andromache for hav-
ing impressed upon my mind an ondur-
ing farm of beauty.