The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-02-27

ache, ana had made his excuses to Mr.. and
Mrs. Mabin.
| ''The next day he called, and I asked
uoether o excuse me, as I was not feeling
well, and was lying down. Oh, how my
heart achedi How longed to rush to
him and ask his forgiveness Once
sprang up, determined to see him, but
pride held me back. I heard him bid
mother good-morning, also his message to
me. He said
"Tell Nettie that am very sorry that
she is indisposed I will call tomorrow
afternoon, and if she is well enough,
will be pleased to have her go to ride with
me-
II determined to avoid him, but on what
pretex could not devise, for l could not
say was III. I was sitting at the parlor
window next morning, reading, when
CHANGED to look up the road and saw Mr..
Selden and your uncle riding very rapidly
toward the house. On the impulse of the
moment, snatched up my garden hat,
that was lying at my feet, and made a
hasty retreat to the orchard. I heard
mother and different members of the family
call me-even saw them looking for me-
but would not show myself until long after
I knew he had gone.
''Imagine my horror, my heart-sickness,
when mother told me t. vt he had gone
that letter from his sister urged his i'm
mediate return as his mother was very i'll
they feared hopelessly so
II waited only long enough to hear
mother through. went to my room and
locked the door. Again and again read
that little pencilled note of adieu, breathing
only love and affection for me, and ex-
pressing his regret that he could not take
me in his arms, andpress me to his heart
in fond farewell-asking my prayers for
him in his trouble, and telling me he would
write to me as soon as possible after reach
ing home. What would 1 not have given
then to have looked into his DEAR kind
face and unburthened my aching, breaking
heart But repentance had come too late.
Anxiously, day after day, I watched and
hoped for his letter, but, alas it never
came.
GA horrible railroad accident was
read by your uncle, as he opened his paper
one morning when he had stopped on his
way from town to leave our mail. Then
he read the account of the fearful accident,
and the names of the killed and wounded.
stood in heartless silence, hoping praying,
all the while that my loved one was safe.
Oh, shall ever forget my agony as the
name of William Fl. Selden, killed., passed
his lipsP I knew no more for weeks;
brain fever was the result, my life hanging,
as it were, on thread; but youth and
strength conquered, and contrary to the
expectations of all my friends I began
slowly to recover.
'My constitution was terribly shattered,
and it was months before was able to take
my place in the family circle, and then
looked nothing like my former self, for
was pale and thin. My beautiful golden
locks had been shaven, and more than all,
my merry laugh and happiness had fled
For long time I absented myself from
society, but duty called me to again take
my place, and did so, yelling as best I
could my great grief, praying always for
strength to bear bravely my burden, and
drink with patience the bitter cup l had SO
willfully placed to my own lips. had some
offers after Mr.. Selden's death, but my
heart was buried with my last love. And
now, Oracle, you know why your aunt has
never married, and I hope, little girl, you
will never allow jealousy to take such hold
upon you as to mar even single moments
happiness. Fight against 1t, and you will
be saved much trouble in life.o But we have
dweH on this gloomy subject long enough,
and will turn to something brighter. Did
l give you Annie Mays message?"
''No, aunty, but Annie and Cousin
George were here while you were out.
Annie said she had sent me message by
you, and then came to tell me herself. She
and George went to call on Miss Maitland,
and they stopped to see if was going to
Mrs. Walton's; and as am, Cousin George
is to be my escort"
"Then, dear, it is time these bright eyes
were closedin sleep, for at the party of the
season my little girl must not be looking
like dropping lily"
tits not left for us to know what resolu-
ton Grace formed regarding Walter, who
had been the cause of the sad face when her
aunt came in from her walk; but the morn
ing after the party Walter wore a brighter
countenance than he had for some time
previous, and not many weeks after, Aunt
Nettie was deep in the mysteries of wedding
fxings SO we must conclude that Grace
thought better to yield up her pride than to
spend her life in regrets
THE FINE ARTS IN ENGLAND.