The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1877-04-06


interview. Soon after she heard hi
well-known ring ut the door. Des-
ponding. she met him. Her heart
told her too ,rue that he was changed.
Leading her to a seat, he instantly
commenced the painful topic.
"Elleu told me all, but | denied
the statement. She asserted II posi-
lively; but still, from no lips but your
own will ! believe It. Is il SOY Were
you, indeed, the author Of that cruel
letter? Can have been deceived in
youf SO sadly. tooH"
ut is, indeed, so, Mr.. Edsall; but,
If tears of deep penitence and sincere
regret avail aught, the sin has been
atoned long months since"
"But what motive, Miss Bowen,
could have Influenced you to injure
your friends aud acquaintance You
so kind, So gentle! Had 1t been Ellen
Jackson"
ibid she not tell you all-how she
herself began it, and in sport led me
ON, just for the fun of the minute. Ii
was wrong; | never meant IL to 90
further. But she carried it away with
her, and had it copied and changed.
But o, Mr.. Edsall! | have severely
suffered for it; every allusion to 1t has
been sharp wound to me-" ..
Had you but told me of il your
self, Caroline, | could have forgiven
IT,"
al tried to do so, but how could |
when you we're wounded so deeply"
Long time did that high-minded
man struggle between love and duty.
His confidence in her had been shaken,
and could he now take her to his
heart, Caroline knew that her life's
happiness was at stake. and all for
one hours foolish amusement. Life
would be but blank without his love
and guidance, and as she watched the
lights and shades pass over his brow
she felt that if love should conquer
she might eth hope. Edsall now
took his leave, and as he parted he
clasped her hand in kindness the warm
blood rushed to her cheeks.
pardon me for my plainness, Car
oline, but must deliberate. This
has cost me long and bitter struggle,
for you know not how deep wound
was made by that base act. 1t now
bleeds afresh. will either see you,
or let you hear from me soon.'
She saw him not again, but receiv-
ed a letter from him previous to his
departure to Cuba, whittier business
arrangements called him. He freed
her from her engagement, and gave
her n final farewell. His note was
brief, but decided. Caroline felt that
he had been too severe. had dealt too
harshly with her, yet her lips blamed
him not; but her checks paled, and
the light of life had fed. Ellen saw
that her schemes had failed. The
friendship which from childhood had
subsisted between her AMI Caroline
was sundered by this cruel breach of
trust, and she often repented of the
wanton ret; but no overtures could
unite the broken links which had
bound their young lives in harmony
so many years.
Kate Lester was united in marriage
with Mr.. Allen, and as Caroline stood
by the side of her friend as bridemaid,
she rejoiced that she had wrought no
permanent harm to her life's happi-
ness by destroying the attachment
which had existed in their hearts.
When Kate was laying by her bridal
robes for her travelling suit, she con-
fessed to her that she had a share in
the writing of the letter, and earnest.
ly craved her pardon.
"Caroline, and this was what sepa-
rated you and Edsall. Had he known
you as well as do, he would have
known that you did not do it inten-
tionally. / always thought Ellen
jackson was at the bottom of it. Yes,
little one, freely forgive you, and
love you better than ever. Come and
see us when we come back, remember,
and God bless you!'
Months had passed away, when one
evening Mr.. Allen called for Caroline,
with a message from his wife to be
sure and come and spend the evening
with her A short time had wrought
a change in the person of that fair
girl. Her sweet face was pale; the
the roses of hope and joy had all fled;
her buoyancy and elasticity of youth
had passed away; and an air Of settled
melancholy and sadness had taken the
place of the gayety of heart which
once characterized her. But she was
still beautiful, and her friends loved
her better than ever. for now she was
all that was good aud true. An I'M
usual depression was upon her heart
this evening, for it was jus. year
sinoa sba martial with Mr. E1sall and