Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-11-10

"'oa@neu seemed TO rob the subject
oi our union Of all the tenderness with
winch |, in my own mind, had surrounded
! it.
tried to explain TO her that was no, a
'ion man, but expected to do for her rela-
1--WE Whatever my ability would permit; and
reminded her that if she loved and trusted
me, she might safely leave the matter to
nay honor.
But that did not satisfy her. Counting
TOO much upon the extent of my affections
and not realizing the effect of perslstancy
on some natures, she pressed me to bind
myself by sacred promise, or relinquish
any claim which might fancy had to her
hand
The conflict of emotions Qove and pride)
made ME hesitate for moment ere was
ready to reply. When about to speak,
she seemed TO divine my answer. and
anticipating it, and raised ter hand and
said, coolly:
Il know what you would say; please
consider our engagement at an end
After few words of entreaty and re-
proach on my part, and the farewell injunc-
tion, 'Go and never show your face again."
from my amiable friend. l retired from her
presence.
FOR three weeks following this distress
ing interview, | was the most wretched
man in the country. The alternate feel
ings of wrath and forgiveness, of love and
chagrin. to say nothing of the rude awak-
ening which l had experienced from my
blissful dreams, so wore upon me that
could neither eat or sleep, and became re-
duced to a mere shadow of my former
self.
! WHAT the end might have been TO me
dread to think, had not a few lines from
her own pen reached me, expressing regret
for what had been said-avowing a love
which could not endure endless separation,
and intimating that sisters importantly
was the cause of the whole unpleasant
ness.
That letter Gained the troubled waters
proved; began to assume again the ap-
pearance of human being.
but l was in no hurry to reply.
Ny love had received such witherlng
that it was in no condition to bloom again
right away; and my views as to the nature
and motives of women had undergone
somewhat of a change. Angelica" and
'iSinceritas" were names which had been
replaced in my mind by Others less flatter-
ing, but perhaps more appropriate.
Indecision, common TO young people suf-
fering from heartache, led me to delay so
long any recognition of her communication.
that the lady evidently thought | needed
another stirring up, and one, too, Of dit
ferent character / received, through her
lawyer, notice of suit brought against me
for breach of promise, and pecuniary dama-
ges for injured feelings, &c.
Strange to what expcdients women will
resort, to further ends!
would willingly havep paid the damages,
although had but little faith in the exist
ence of injuries; but public scandal was a
thing dreaded to face; and legal contest
with q woman-a woman whom once had
dearly loved, and for whom, perhaps l
still felt a weakness-was highly distaste-
! full to me. But had a character TO sus-
tain, so concluded to appear as defendant
in the case.
/ The trial. like the lady herself was a
mixture of bitter and sweet. The hand OF
the widow, as prime mover IN the proceed
Jugs, was plainly revealed, The sympa-
} thies of the jury were largely with the fair
plaintiff (beauty and tears have their infiu-
, ence), but the evidence was entirely against
her, and she lost the suit.
Subsequent to the trial, l offered through
my attorney, to pay such part of the DAM
| ages claimed as was then able-promising
to liauidate the whole in time. i did moi
, ike the attitude in which | was unwilling
, ly placed, that of an enemy 10 the cherish
J ed ones of my departed friend, and made
, this offer to change 1t, as well as to show
, to the ladies that their welfare was mat
ter in which had not ceased TO take an
interest. And had, too, an undetnable
: heart longing for the happy days OF the
? pasta yearning for her who once had re-
: c,iyed my caresses, and a sincere wish tc
retain her esteem.
My offer was refused with disdaln (the
|, freak of woman, or perhaps, the disregard,
for once, If the prayers of sister,. and
verbal message sent TO me to the efiec'
that it was her earnest hope that | should
know nothing but misery for the remainder
of nv life.
After the lapse of several years, l wa
summoned to the death bed of my not for
gotten friend. l found her conscious, bu
hardly able to articulate. She imploret
forgiveness. and managed TO inform mt
that her love had always been mine-hel
heart had been right, though her judge
ment wrong.
: The sudden revealing of the better sld'
l of her nature so overwhelmed me viii
I love and grief for her-the only woman
u who had ever entered my heart-her help
less condition so excited my pity, that
T. would have made any sacrifice to proions
= her life.
She died in my arms. When go henc'
r shall look for her. hope she may b'
found in that place from whence l, whei
L I first met her, felt assured she came
q His Last Dime.
o Thev GOT into a bobtail car. They wer