The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-10-20
Original STORY.
A GREAT BLUNDER.
Written for the Democratic Adrocate
ny LAUREL.

"No,' said Herbert Winchester, with an
emphatic nod II shall never marry any
woman whose mentality does not command
my respect Lillian Howard is no doubt
very bewitching little girl, but | have
passed that stage when beauty is an all
sufficient charm, and think l would be
wronging her, quite as much as myself, if
| allowed the engagement to continue
You see she was only fifteen, and l but
twenty-one, mere children, when we took
it upon ourselves to become betrothed
Very soon after left home for Europe,
and now for six years we have not met.
As soon as began to grow intellectual, l
perceived the disparity existing between
us, and gradually our correspondence
dropped, but never had the moral cour-
age to write her plainly that thought we
had better abandon all thought ofmarriage
So now, after four years of utter silence, l
am obliged to so down to her country
home and adjust the matter verbally. Isn't
it awkward ?"
"Yes, decidedly" replied his compan.
ion, with an odd little smile. "But do
understand that the only reason you wish
the engagement dissolved is because of her
intellectual inferiority to yourself?" "That
is the only reason, replied Herbert, camly.
"My wife must be one whose aspirations
rise above housekeeping and corn husk-
ings. Lillian is nice girl, suppose, but
| want cultured, educated woman-one
who has opinions, aud is able to express
them, and one whom l can introduce to
my friends without fear of being mortified.
l know that probably in this respect she
is quite equal to our city bellies, but l don't
want wife of either description.
Herbert Winchester was Enthusiastically
gentleman. Wealthy, handsome, travelled
and educated, his ideas on the topic of
matrimony were scarcely to be wondered
at. His bosom friends were from among
the very cream Of American and foreign
iutellects, and he very naturally felt desir-
GUS of parting the slender links which
bound him to one whom he remembered
as pretty and agreeable, but whom his
common-sense told him could never have
matured into the sort of person he desired
for lifelong companion. For once, how
ewes, his common sense was at fault, as we
shall soon discover.
Two or three days after found him at
the Howard homestead. A tidy sewing
maid ushered him into the parlor, which,
with its open piano, tasteful arranged how-
ers, and profusion of books, presented
much more pleasing appearance than he.
had anticipated, and in few moments the
love of his youth appeared. Very beautiful
he was forced to confess her, as, without
the slightest embarrassment, she accepted
his extended hand, and rather difficult he
found the task he had given himself, for
some way the old fascination had begun to
resume its sway, Notwithstanding the men
tai disparity which he felt sure existed;
but it had to be done; so, after the first
greetings had been interchanged, he began
desperately and unwisely enough, without
testing her intellectual ealiber.
"Lilian, shouldn't have come down
here so soon after my return, had it not
been for my uncertainty concerning the
relations existing between us. As an hon
orable man, | suppose myself bound, until
such time as you release me from the
engagement, although suppose the past,
with you as with me, appears more like
dream than any thing else. l have never
seen any one l could love as loved you;
but of course the loves of twenty-oue and
twenty-seven are very different, and now
the experience gained by six years hard
study and travel has shown me plainly that
you and |, as husband and wife, would be
very miserable couple. I suppose you
see it so alsO--do you not2" Lilian's
checks were scarlet, and her dark brilliant
eyes flashed indignantly. No woman likes
to be rejected, and she very plainly saw
his reasons for this course.