The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-03-29

the young OtnCcr RNu WIG vi tPH'hSt Looios
They were TO be married in church and
leave Immediately for military station in
the far North West, whittier Lieut.. An
drc WE had been recently assigned his post.
Essie left her room soon after twilight to
meet her afianeed in the parlor as had
been previously arranged. Her step, cser
noiseless and elastic, had nearly renghed
the ,arlor when she heard-for the door
was slightly jar-the voice of her sister,
intended to be low, but incautiously strong
from excitement, exclaiming:-
"But really do not think that you in
tend to tell her. You have promised me
every day for the last week, that each
night of the same she should learn from
yourself of the transfer of your love. Now
here it is Saturday night, and she is in
blissful ignorance that 1 am to be the
bride tomorrow instead of herself"
"Bnt, Mary" said the voice of Charles,
SO low and tremulous as to be scarcely in
tolligible, "Essie appears so full of love and
trust could not bear to pain her, though
she has more than once rallied me for my
gloom and reserve"
"And is your love for me SO weak that
you prefer to displease me than to give a
moments pain to her? Her love and
trustl tell you again, she has no heart;
she is a perfect iceberg; she has never had
feathers weight of love for human
being yet Upon my word I believe
you repent-you cling to her yet. Go,
then! Take snowflake for your bride,
that shall chill and freeze you'll"
'No, Mary, am resolved. You, and
you alone, shall be my bride. only re-
gret could not have met you sooner that
l might not have so bitter q consciousness
of having wronged poor Essie, who, till
you came here, believed the only angel
out of heaven"
'Essie-always poor Essie! If you love
me, let her name pass. But promise me
now you will tell her tonight. will meet
you in the hall after you have told her, and
learn how bravely you conduct yourselves.
Till then, adieu."
Before Mary could leave the room Essie,
like ghost, glided in. She spoke ener-
4 gctically, though her words trembled with
| emotion.
| II came not here to listen, but I have
heard. Charles Andrews, my betrothed
and Mary Seymour my sister-my be-
trothed and my sister no more-may man
nor woman never wrong you as I have been
wronged! May Heaven give you more of
peace and blessing than you have ever
given poor Essie !" and the little figure
in black glided out as noiselessly as it had
come.
Had Charles Andrews been allowed time
to study his own heart, he would have
learned that Essie occupied, that moment
a far higher and holier place therein than
her arrogant and aspiring, though more
brilliantly beautiful, sister. Unfortunately
the temptress was at hand, and at once
eagerly employed every art and fascination
to render him thoughtful only of herself.
And she succeeded.
The morrow came-a golden, glorious
day of autumn; a day that was to have
been SO fraught with gladness to Essie; a
day that she spent alone in her chamber in
bitterness and tears, wondering how, after
such CLEAN of happiness had dawned,
such sorrow and blight should have fall
len.
When Mary appeared in church as the
bride, and Essie was no where visible,
great was the surprise and curiosity of the
assembly. Much gossip WIS the conse.
quence, amid all of which the young lieu
tenant and his bride started off for Fort
-, away toward the Rocky Mountains;
while Essie, at the commencement of the
ensuing session, resumed her accus.
toned duties. She had struggled manfully
against this second sorrow of her Young
life, and, though bruised and weary, main
tanned o calmness of exterior and serenity
of manner from which the world Judged
her heart to have been but slightly affected
by her late disappointment.
One year from that very Sabbath morn
ing that was to have been her bridal day,
Essie occupied her accustomed seat il
church, in the choir. Her mind busy with
the past, old hopes and memories hac
nearly overpowered her when she veilec
her eyes and dropped low her head, en-.
deavoring to shut out all her troubles
in fervent prayer for peace and submis.
sion
Suddenly voice from the sacred desk
thrilled her as voice of mortal had never
thrilled her soul before. She did not look
up, but remained bowed and trembling
while that voice continued to read, with
wonderful effect, one of the su5limest
chapters Of Isaiah. That finished, still
motionless she joined in the opening
prayer that followed, and not until the
hymn was being read did she glance to.