The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-05-24


New Oreleans and entered the profession
of the law. Our parting was painful,
but as / was to be in the city in the
spring, we had some bright hopes. He
succeeded well in his business, and
wrote letters so cheering and encouraging
that the pain of absence was greatly
lessened. We were happy, and lived
only for each other. I forget God and
set up an idol as deity, and perhaps
my suffering was the retribution OF my
sin.
In the summer I was to visit some
relatives in New York; he was to follow
me in the fall, when we were to be mar
ried, and to return to New Orleans and
here make our home. All went we'll.
went to New Orleans in the spring, and
remained until midsummer, and then
left for New York. On the day of my
leaving, my old spirit of trihing and
teasing took possession of me, and L
acted most cruelty toward Archibald. l
told him l feared 1 had been mistaken
in my feelings. and thought best to ro-
lieve him from his engagement with me-
If bomb had burst ut his feet he could
not have looked more dismayed, and,
seeing his surprise, only encouraged my
heartless conduct. AS we drove to the
boat in the carriage he bad hired, took
the engagementring from my finger and
gave it to him, saying: "You had better
take it, Archibald; l might lose it-and
perhaps you will find some one who will
appreciate it more than l..
He took the ring and spoke not word
of reply, but could see how my cruelty
chilled his heart. Oh, how wickedly l
acted toward the only man ever loved
We parted with few words, and as he
left the boat my heart swelled almo to
bursting. I did not intend to give him
up; oh, no, he was my hope of happi-
ness. 1 knew he adored me, and would
be in misery until he should hear from
me. 1t was my intention to write imme-
diately on my arrival in New York, and
tell him the mood in which had acted +,
and knew that few penitent words
would place me in the position l wished
to stand toward him. But how vain are
all earthly hopes and designs! That
parting has been the blight of my life.
Thoughts of it hang over me like threat
ening clouds of wrath, and l have never
been happy since ne left me on the
steamer that fatal day--so fatal to my
hearts rest.
I had not been two hours in New York
when l wrote to Archibald letter full of
love and contrition; but, alas! it was
destined that he should never read it
never forgive me by pen or voice. My
letter was answered, but not by himself.
His sister wrote, and oh, the words that
we're penned by her hands. on those
pages whose edges bore the ensign of
death. Yes, Archibald had died of yell
low fever. He had called for me con-
stantly in his delirium, and died with
the name of Rlchel on his lips. He had
asked his sister to return me the ring l
had so heartlessly given back. He told
her to tell me he loved ne even unto
death.
That ring has been on my finger ever
since the hour his sister handed it to me,
and it has ever been rebuke to all
earthly vanities. There are many lovely
memories clustering around it which are
painfully sweet, and it has also its bit
ter, for it tells the great wrong q
woman's within may do her heart. I loved
we'll, but acted unwisely, and this one
great lesson in the school of expert
ence" has swallowed up all the beauty,
the hope and Joy of my life. Let others
learn by what I have been taught. When
love enters the heart, leave trihing and
vanity to the flirting fools whose natures
comprehend nothing OF the deep and
holy passions of the human heart.
Aunt Rachel sighed, and saw her
wipe her glasses a short time after she
had concluded; but as 1 was lost in my
own reflections. caused by her sad re-
cital, l took but little notice OF her until
we reached our destination, when l
found her face pallid and tear stained. /
concluded that tims may soften the grief
over lost love, but years can never erase
the deeper impressions Of our hearts.
Aunt Rachel appears cold and pecu-
liar, like the majority of old maids; but,
like many of her class, beneath an odd
exterior she conceals the same sym
pathies and bright hopes and longings
for future happiness that fill the breasts
of other human beings.