Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1879-11-20

IL httCi Oli1 AOA ObAi''hiAN "A4Ss
Summer hours?
Musing thus, in not a very
cheerful frame of mind, he ar
rived at last at his lodgings.
On a table i'll his room he
found a note, containing the fol-
lowing brief notice:
"You are wanted at the office without
delay. News of importance to communi-
cate"
Marve1ing much at this sum-
mons, which was from one of
his partners in business, Allan
Immediately repaired to his of
flee, where news of a most dis
tressing character awaited him.
Intelligence had been received
of the failure of a large specula-
ton; a bubble had burst, and the
firm of which he was a member,
among several others, was total
ly ruined. Even his own private
fortune would probably be swal-
lowed up in assisting to pay the
claims against them. The blow
was almost too stunning for him
to realize at first. After a long
and perplexed consultation, he
hastened home in the chill, gray
dawn of morning, haggard-
looking and miserable man.
1t was not for himself that he
grieved; he could have borne the
blow bravely, for he was young
and strong, full of energy and
hope, and in a few years at most
he could work his way up. But
Meta-hs betrothed! Could he
expect her to wait for him so
long! He felt too surely that ali
must now be at an end between
them; every sentiment of duty
and honor required that he should
at once release her from her proW-
Use, and bring their engagement
to close.
How dark the future looked,
when all had been bright a few
hours before. He reached his
home, and throwing himself on a
sofa, buried his face in his hands.
Long he brooded over his sorrow,
powerless to act in any way.
At last, with a great effort, he
reused himself.
"I'his is mere folly" he ex-
claimed. "What is the use delay
ing what has to be done? / can
not see Metal could not bear
it just yet; but ! can write and
| will do so at once" He drew q
table, with pen, ink and paper,
toward him, and after some delib-
eration,wrote the following lines:
"MY Own META-For l must call you so
once more, though for the last time-when
We parted last night / was a rich and pros
porous man; to-day l am ruined. Our firm
has failed, and have nothing in the world
that can call my own.
"Under these circumstances there is but
one course for me TO pursue, and that is TO
give you up. ] well know that you cannot
share life of poverty and toil-indeed, /
would not ask it. 1t nearly breaks my
heart 10 write these words. l love you more
than can express more,perhaps,t than you'll
ever realize-but enough Of this; all must
be at an end now, and why dwell on thoughts
like those? Our brief engag. ment is at an
end, hut youwil permit me-will you not?
10 cherish its memory as a bright and
beautiful dream, which shed over my life a
halo of the pTest happiness ever enjoyed.
"Farewell, and God bless you, my lost
love! May you be happy and blest in
whatever path of liz you are called TO pur-
sue, is The fervent, heartfelt prayer of one
who can now only sign himself,
"Your friend, A. C. c."
He carried it to the nearest
letter-box, dropped it in with a
feeling as if he was burying a
friend, and then returned home
to indulge at leisure in his mel
ancholy reflections, for he really
felt too i'll to make the eXcrtion
of going down to the office, until
the afternoon, at any rate.
How changed everything SEEM
ed! A dull, dead blank was a.
round him, a weight on his heart
that felt as if it could never be
lifted again; all was dark where
it had been sunshine before. \
few honrs!-it seemed as though
years had elapsed since last night.
How fieeting had been his
dream Of happiness and love!
How dreary and desolate seemed
his life when robbed of its grace
and glory!
Theweary morning wore away,
and the hour of noon rang out
from the turret close by. He
rose and rang for coffee and bis
cut, but could not taste them
when they came; he had eaten
ne breakfast, and felt faint and
weary frop excitement and fa-
tigue, but loathed the sight of
food.
His landlady, a kind. hearted
Western woman, quite compass
sionated his fevered and haggard
appearance.
''Dear Mr.. Gray, but you dc
look bad!" she exclaimed. "You
had better let me send for q doc
tor right away"
Allan smiled family, and as
sured the benevolent lady that il
was only a nervous headache
which would wear off after {
while.
lie was, indeed, suffering from
extreme nervousness; his pulst
throbbed, and his blood courSei