The star of Pascagoula. [volume] (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1873-1878, 1877-08-03

Time passed swiftly by, and the r,
membranes of that ill-fated anonymou
Q eplstle was vanishing from the publ
? mind. Edsall had, in his daily inter
course with Caroline, seen more and NOR
, to admire and love; the sweet commun
lngs OF her gentle nature seemed {,
draw her closer and closer to him, ant
as they wandered forth one soft, balm,
twilight, he dreamed the tale 0 fhis love
into her willing ear, and as he pourec
out the aspirations of his heart upon the
altar OF his love, Caroline could bul
tfemble, for was notshe the one who had
hrst cast the shdaow of shame upon his
unspotted name. But the deep ardent
love which she so fervently reciprocated
-shouldshe 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 to still think her guileless
and free from deceit; and in the happi-
ness of future anticipations almost forgot
the saddened past with its sombre shade.
Ellen Jackson had been for some
months absent and returned home about
three weeks after the engagement of her
friend Caroline to Mr.. Edsall; her heart
had for a long time paid homage at the
shrine of hisintellect, and she had seen
with sorrow that the ~fervent admiration
she felt was not reciprocated by him.
Stung with jealous disappointment, she
resolved that Caroline should not at least
bear oft the inestimable prize, and in a
few evenings alter her return she O
tered him at the mansion OF MI. Bowen,
Intentionally upon her part. Envy,
chagrin and disappointment seemed to
give energy to her determination, and
she %purposely introduced the subject of
the almost forgotten anonymous letter,
as they were gathered around the centre.
table. Caroline's cheek was blanched in
a moment, and with an appealing look
she glanced her eyes at Ellen, but the
h%eseeching look was unanswered. Mr..
Edsall spoke with more than his usual
energy and warmth, and severely de-
nounced the writer of such a calumnious
article.
81 could never" said he, respect or
love a person that could stoop to such an
act of duplicity or there was
no excuse; it was entirely unfounded."
Poor Caroline The tear drops rushed
into her eyes; her punishment had but
just began. As the evening wore away,
and Miss Jackson rose to depart, Mr.. Ed
sail 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. Anxiously in
curing the cause, she tried to Danish the
cloud, and, under the plea of slight in
concealed the truth a sad,
f%oreboding thought crossed her mind.
"No, it cannot be " she exclaimed,
q Ellen will not be so cruel or so base as
to betray me when she herself commenced
it, and led me on"
But Ellen did, and in a heartless man.
ner, too; not even mentioning the part
had herself in it. Sad and sleepless
passed that night with poor Caroline ;
5he morning sun found her languid, with
IN aching head. She descended to the
breakfast room, where she soon received
/ line from Mr.. Edsall, couched in per-
polite but cold terms, requesting a
moments interview. Soon after she
heard his well known ring at the door.
Oesponding, she met him. Her heart told
Ter too true that he was changed. Lead
ng her to a seat, he instantly commenced
he painful topic.
"Etlen told me all, but / denied the
statement. She asserted it positively
nut still, from no lips but your W will
believe it. Isit so? Were you indeed
he author of that cruel letter? Can |
ave been deceived in you? so sadly,
90 ?"
" 1t is, indeed, so, Mr.. Edsall but, if
ears of deep penitence and sincere regret
wall aught, the sin has been atoned long {
months since"
"But what motive, Miss Bowen, could {
ave influenced you TO injure your
and acquaintance? You, so
lind, so gentle Had it been Ellen Jack
-
did she not tell you all-how she &
lerself began it, and in sport led me on, t
ust for the fun of the minute. 1t was s
wrong | never meant it to go further. !
But she carried it way with her, and t
.ad it copied and changed. But O, Mr..
| have severely suffered for it q
very a~llusion to it has been a sharp I
1ound to me-" $
"Had you but told me of it yourself, Y
| could have forgiven it |
81 tried to do so, but how could | a
7hen you were wounded so deeply ?" G
Long time did that high-minded man l
between love and duty. His '
onfidence in her had been shaken, and |
ould he now take her to his heart? Car j
line knew that her life's happiness was t
t stake, and all for one hours foolish C
rouuop,apt T;co yvor1J ho hut n I1orI \
yitAout his love and guidance, and as f
he watched the lights and shades pass r
yer his brow she felt that if love should I
onquer she might still hope. Edsall d
ow took his leave, and as he parted he t
her hand in kindness, the warm Z
lood rushing to her cheeks. L
"Pardon me for my ~plainness, Caroline, /
ut | must deliberate. This has cost me
long and bitter struggle, for you know e
OF how deep a wound was made by that c
ase act. Ii now bleeds afresh. | will o
ither see you, or let you hear from me s
II
She saw him not again, but received a n
from him previous to mis- departure a
!, Cuba, whittier business arrangements q
allied him. He freed her from her EN- g
agement, and gave her a final farewell a
lis note was brief, but decided. Caro- ?
ne felt that he had been too severe, had a
ealt too harshly with her, yet her lips =
him not but her cheeks paled I
nd the light of life had fed. Ellen saw i
nat her schemes had failed. The friend 8
nip which from childhood had existed :
her and Caroline had been sun .
cred by this cruel breach of trust, and I
ne often repented the wanton act but n
o overtures could unite the broken
nks which had bound their young lives
harmony so many years. I