The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1879-02-27
plainincly bearing a grief. which Of


seem to have been a most happy,
blithesome creature.
Unable at last to bear the suspense
longer, l one day threw caution to
the winds, and, with boldness did
not feel 1 asked her to be my wife. to
give me the right to call her my very
own. But, ah, l repented Of my pre-
cipitancy when 1 saw the grieved
look and the tremulous culver OF the
dainty mouth. and like fool, blurted
out some unintelligible words about
being sorry and would she forgive me.
"You have not offended me-" she
replied. sweetly. you have always
been so kind, so unlike a lover, that
1 did not suspect that you regarded
mo otherwise than as friend. Since
you have dispelled the hallucination,
in justice to you I must tell you why
/ cannot accept the We and protec-
tion you offer me:
Two years ago. with my parents
consent. who have ever indulged my
slightest wish, l was betrothed to a
young man, upon whom lavished
my whole hearts affection aud whom
1 considered In every respect. save
one. my equal. This exception, which
might be with some looked upon as
no detriment, was yet regarded by
my parents and myself with grave
disfavor.
yet 1 hoped to win him from his
fault, which, as you have perhaps
guessed, was that OF too great an in
diligence in strong drink, and by the
strength OF my love, lead him to a
better. purer life. and higher per-
fection OF his noble manhood.
For awhile success crowned my
efforts, and my hero, my king, ap-
peared as one embodied with new
power and new graces. Nobly and
earnestly did he try to please me, and
at last, thinking he had wholly over
come hiis fault, consented to an
early day for the consumation OF our
nuptials.
Life wore its most beauteous as
rect, and unconscious ard happy, !
built many an air castle and pictured
to myself the great happiness in store
for me. II had only died then, what
misery and shame would have been
spared, but alas. am left to suffer az
the years drag out their slow lengths,
while he is almost hey ond the pale OF
human kind, and wholly unconscious
OF his miserable situation.
1.-TWO weeks before we were to be
married, he was invited to a convivial
party OF a few friends, and while with
them was induced to break his SOL
emn promise to me and become in
toxicated.
Too soon, alas, the news reached
me, but / would not believe him
guilty until he verified the truth oI
falsity OF the accusations. Confident
that he could prove himself innocent
of the vile charges. sent a message
to him, desiring him to wait upon me
without delay.
Is 1t true, Alfred said. as my
lover stood before me In answer t.
my summons. that you have forg OF
ton your promise to me; that you
have allowed yourself to become de
based in my eyes, and that, too. upor
the eve OF our wedding?'
81 am forced to admit he replied
that havo been false to my promis,
and to you: but will you allow me t.
explain my temptation, and how
proved so recreant to the trust re
posed In me7'
Il cannot tell what possessed me
or how I could have been SO mer
ciless, when by a single look. a wor'
perhaps, I could have saved human
beings life. who was imploring for
giveness for sins committed.
"Be content I said. with tn
misery you have already caused me
and do not seek to mako your fault
less severe by seeking to play upo
my feelings
"As God Is my judge, Helen, I wi
only tell you the plain. unvarnishe
truth; bear with me until / explai
, ALL
mo I said, sternly, 1T will onl
be repetition Of faults which 1thav
too often condoned. Go. and neve
let me look upon you again.
And this is your final decision
, you who have always been 30 tende
, so forgiving. can really prove your
self to be so merciless?
any decision Is final.' 1 replies
coldly. Pray allow me to terminal
, this really unpleasant intervew,' 8
saying, l arose to leave the room.
) "God forgive you, Helen, and ais
T forgive me for what / am about I
d do he said, and with a sudden me
ton, he drew from his pocket a re
? volver, and in another instant m
lover was lying at my feet. seemingl
\ dead to this world and to the piteou
I cries which / uttered.
| He did not die, but recovered, onl
!, to be an incumbrance and q care. A
y present he Is an iumate OF an insan
. asylum, from which he will nevs