The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-02-19

| l was seventeen when she said that,
and went home and looked at myself
carefully in the mirror. Yes, | was
handsome; my eyes were large and
black, my complexion rich and clear,
my features perfectly regular.
turned away smiling and satisfied.
Sinclair came home soon afterwari
to remain; at least, he had finished his
college course, graduating with honors.
He was very handsome, and my
heart throbbed with pride and joy as /
looked upon him.
Surely every good gift in life was
mine.
Sinclair remained OF home a year.
together, and he was the same frank
comrade as Of old, yet he spoke no
word of love. | grew FESTIVE and i'm
patient for matters to be settled. /
was at the age when every girl longs
| for a lover. | wanted to be loved-I
wanted to be betrothed. had thought
it all out many times; how after the
betrothal my mother would give large
ball, and how resplendentI would shine
in beautiful jewels and rich robes. For
| always in my thoughts of love worldly
| considerations were mingled.
should never have loved Sinclair
Monroe if he had been poor and Of low
birth. My pride was Unborn, and con-
slant cultivation rendered it one of the
strongest elements of my nature.
After year spent at home, Sinclair
went abroad. He went without speak
ing his love, or asking any promise of
me.
was bitterly disappointed, and SO
was my mother.
"But let him sow his wild oats" she
said g he will come home all the more
inclined to settle down.
He was gone two years. During
| those years | went much into society
and became quite belle, and received
one offer of marriage. l declined it
| proudly The man was in no way the
equal of Sinclair; and besides felt my
self to belong to Sinclair. l as much
as intimated this to my sutton, when he
would have persisted in his attentions.
When Sinclair returned he seemed
older and more serious in manner, and
he went at work at once to lay out the
| grounds on his estate and beautify
them. My heart swelled full of hope.
Were my early dreams to be realized?
Then suddenly my mother died.
Plunged into deep mourning, ! did
not think it strange that no words of
love should pass his lips during the
next half year. AT the end of that time
he again absented himself for several
months.
When he returned he called me aside
one day, saying he had something to
tell me.
perhaps ought not to say it within
a year after your great loss" he began,
land yet believe what have to say
will result in greater happiness to us
all. | have long had it in my mind.''
| felt my heart trembling in my
breast like frightened bird. At last,
at last! Was he about to say the words
| had waited so long to hear? Then
he continued: 81 am going to be mar
ried next month, Agnes. / met my
| bride while | was travelling abroad.
She is an American. She was also
travelling with her parents. She is
lovely girl, and she will brighten up the
old house for us all. | thought of
building before l married, but father
wants me to remain here, at least for
year or two. And would like to have
my bride plan her own home when I
do build. | hope you will love her,
Agnes. am sure you can not help it.
How | ever managed to control my
awful modification, my surprise and
my anger, do not know. 1t was so
sudden, so unexpected, like a blow in
the dark. ! brought all my pride to
bear upon my emotions, and I con-
graduated him with seeming warmth,
but felt as if a new being took pos
session of my body from that hour. /
had always been selfish girl, inclined
to be mercenary and exacting. Now
within my breast awoke demon of
jealousy and spite that made my life
wretched. 1t seemed to me that / had
opened the door to flock of evil spir-
its in my heart when love and hope
flew out.
About two months later Sinclair
brought home his BRIDE I felt ma
licious qualification as I looked at her
and saw that she was not as handsome
as |. Yet she was what people gen
orally call ''sweet looking" or Glove
ly," and I have noticed that those
women really win more hearts in this
world than beauties do.
She was very affectionate by nature,
and cuddled up to me like winsome
child at first; but think she felt the
hatred in my heart, hard as / tried to
mask it, for after time she ceased to
make her affectionate overtures. to me.
and became more quiet and reserved.
Colonel Monroe was completely car
ried away with her sweet, kittenish
manners, and could see that she was
winding herself more closely about his
heart He praised her constantly when
he and | were alone, and | used to sit
more and more by myself-it was such
torture to hear his praises. AS for Sim
clair, he idolized her. had never in
my most romantic dreams imagined
such love as he gave to her.
Every thing she said or did, every
garment she wore, was perfect in his
eyes; and he could not refrain from
| talking of her wonderful virtues to me.
had to listen and endure it, although
it was slow torture.
felt a perfect hell in my breast often
as listened.
And yet in my own heart / had to
confess that Millicent-that was her
name--deserved all the praise she re-
| ceived.
She was constantly thoughtful for
every one about her, and seemed to
live only to make others happy. /
never saw so unselfish nature as hers.
| AT first she used to make me her con-
tidante, and tell me of her happiness
in Sinclair's love, and dwell upon his
virtues and goodness. But after a
time she ceased that, too / think she
intuitiyely felt that did not enjoy her
confidence, and she drew more within
| herself.
AS for myself, l used to actually hope
and pray for some unhappiness to come
between their hearts. [ believe now that
/ 4