The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-10-01
WHAT VENTRILOQUISM DID
BY JOHN A O'REGAN.

BY JOHN O'REGAN.
st cannot be true. No, she is not 50
cruel, l will not believe it, but imagine it
is some Wild creation Of excited fancy.
She whom l deemed the representation
of beauty and honor act thus? Why, it is
is from earth.
And in tremor Of excitement he be-.
gan pacing backward and forward, grind
ing the inofenslve carpet beneath his iron
heel.
''But here is her letter." he continued.
"What other proof could possess? Let
me once more read it, so that each word
may be inde:lbly imprinted IN my men,
ory:'
Mr.. LIE Clare hope, for the sake
of both of us, that you will forget what
passed in the grove last evening, as I
find on closor analysis Of my feelings
do not entertain for you that love which
wife should hold for husband. Dur
ing our intercourse I never for moment
supposed that you regarded me with any
thing more than passing friendship, and
on learning the contrary, was so aston
ished I knew not tor moment what to
say. The fire and strength Of your dec
laration almost overcame me, and seeing
that one little word would render you so
happy, I could not refrain from uttering
it. After your departure prudence wi is
pered it were better to undo at once what
pity had dictated and so, much against
my inclination, am compelled to make
you acquainted with the facts as they
really are. Forget me and bestow your
love on some other more worthy of it. If
the past could be forgotten, it would be
pleasure to me for you to include among
your friends, AMELIA FORREST"
After he finished reading it, for the mo-
msnt he paused and held his burning
brow between his hands.
II will do it." he said, with the air of
a man who had resolved on something
desperate. II will learn my fate from
her own lips, and if it is as fear, I,will-''
That evening he called upon Amelia
and found her ready to start on shop
ping excursion. On beholding him she
started back in unaffected surprise, while
the face that the moment before resem-
bled carmine was deadly pale. 1t was
almost dusk, and no lights being in the
room he was not aware of her agitation.
"Good evening, Miss Forrest he SAID,
with GOODNESS he would fain have thrown
aside, as he seated himself in accordance
with an invitation from her. II am sor-
~ to detain you, but beg you will not
object to few minutes conversation
with me; indeed it is on a subject of vital
Importance to me, otherwise I would not
have presumed to trespass on your valua-
bic time"
II see you have not forgotten how to
aatter," she said as she lowered her face
SO that he could observe none of its work
ings, land, I suppose I shall have to
grant what you DESIRE
''Miss Forrest he continued, as if he
had not heard what she had Just said.
lis this farce or does it contain your
sentiments?" and he handed her the note
that had been SO fatal to his happiness.
One glance was sufficient to satisfy her;
the writing was unmistakable.
"Mr. LIE Clare" she answered, in tones
that sent chill through him, "when you
entered I supposed you came in accord
ance with the request contained in this
note, and as friend and only such am l
oAo AdpPy w ACCC1fc yOu. CluCC
you mention what passed Sunday even
ing, l must again say it can never be.
You might have spared each of US this
painful interview, butperhaps it was bet
ter as it is
"You mean this for your final answer2"
he asked, with calm dignity that sur
prised her.
II dos -.... .. .........
Without word he arose, and left the
room without ever noticing her.
The following morning the Forrest
family were seated at breakfast when
"Miss Amelia Forrestl' cried the post
master, as, letter in hand, he tapped
against the window. Kate Payton, her
cousin, blooming brunette of eighteen
summers, ran to the window and received
it from him.
~ wonder who it is from,'' she said,
with sly glance, as she threw it into
Amelia's lap. - BIZ.
Amelia blushed as she recognized the
handwriting, and, going to the window,
eagerly began to peruse it. No sooner
had she mastered its contents than, with
a shrek that startled all, she fell sense
less to the flor. Instantly all became
confusion. One suggested one thing and
another something altogether different,
but Kate disregarded them and bathed
her temples with cold water and forced
little wine between the clenched teeth.