Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1877-08-09


haven of matrimonial bliss, the agony
of his friend became unbearable. Ii
required all his self-possession to
master his feelings and to restrain
his impulsive temper. Suddenly
rising from his chair, he made no ex-
cuse, but rushed from Martins pres
ence as though legion of demons
were pursuing him.
Once in the open air, the breeze,
ladened with balny perfume, had a
soothing effect upon him, and as the
heat of his temper gradually cooled
he became more reconoiled to circum-
stances. He asked himself the CUES
ton, could he give up Elsie to his
friend, she whom he loved with all
the ardor of his soul? Could he live
and see her welded to another? De-
'spair cried, "Never, never!"
Roland and Elsie were really en-
gagged. This fact, and the knowledge
of his love for Elsie, had not been
entrusted to Martin, aud Roland i'm
agined his friend to be in ignorance of
it. He felt that if Martin had known
of his relations with Elsie, love for
his friend would have kept him from
committing breach of friendship.
After a long and calm deliberation,
he came to the conclusion that it had
not been a hard matter for Elsie to
forsake him for his more agreeable
friend. He felt that she could not
have truly loved him, or her transfer
of affection would have not been so
readily made.
He felt that he could not again face
his friend, and to gain more time for
calm thought, sought his own room.
No man who has not loved with his
whole soul, can imagine what misery
is occasioned by the discovery of dis
loyalty in her whom he thought true.
The feeling is indescribable and over
whelming. Such natures as Roland S
never forget wrong or a deceitful
act. Their passions run deep, and
lie concealed behind barrier of strict
reserve, and cold, proud manner.
They do not rave and expostulate in
public but ntrse their affection, and,
if necessary, bury it from the sight Of
their friends.
Roland's struggle was a severe one.
Arriving at no satisfactory conclusion
rs how to act, he at last knelt down
and prayed for strength and guidance
in the path of duty and right. At
the end of the prayer he felt better,
and his eyes lit up with holy light.
He had resolved upon his course OF
action, and his whole demeanor re-
yealed how hard the the sacrifice had
been.
He sat down to his desk and wrote
as follows
"aIartin You are well aware OF
the sincerity of my friendship for you.
| am about to make revelation con-
cerning Elsie Drummond. Martin, We
love the same glrl, and to me was
given the advantage, since / had her
sacred promise to become my wife at
some future day. That she has prov
ed false to her promise is evident,
else she would not have returned your
love; but | will not reproach her.
You have my sincerest wishes for your
welfare. l give her up; take her
Martin, and may she prove worthy of
you.
Your affcctionate ROLAND"
This is the letter Martin received
later in the day, and his noble heart
felt a pang of remorse ut what had
taken place. Still, he jddged from
Roland's letter that the latter had
given Elsie up without an effort,
and seemed perfectly reconciled to
his fate. But this idea did not
deter him from seeking Roland.
'sMy dear Roland" he said with,
emotion, 'thad you but contided i'll
me, all this would not have happened.
TelLme, dear friend, do you still love
Elsie Drummond! Did it cost you
much agony to give her up?'
Martin had advanced to Roland,s
side and stood gazing at him, his eyes
beaming with tender pity. Roland
threw his arms around his friend s
neck, and pressed him to his breast !;
then, while his frame shook with
emotion, he said,-
"God only knows, Martin, what
misery and self-denial this thing has
cost me But it is over; you say she
loves you; may you be happy -
Martin was but half recondled to
it all, but felt it useless to urge mat
tiers further. 10th as he was to take
Elsie at his friends sacrifice, still his
love for her was enough to over-rlte
his scruples, and firmly convinced
that Roland wanted him to speed his
wooing, he said,--
~ appreciate your friendship, Ro-
land, and God bless you for your
noble sacrifice I" .st
''You have my best wishes tor youl
success, and I pray that Elsie may
never change her affection for you,
said Roland seriously.
81 am as certain of her constancy