The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1886-02-26

| A we rode back reyeled IN drcams
~ tho fntufo. whcli should reixn =
queen over that splendid mansion
l A. years passed On the hea strength.
cned IN my mind. Sinclair and fwcre
always together when he was Al home.
lie made me his coniidante in all his
college escapades, and wei orrespondcd
constantly. To be sure. he always ad-
dressed me as ISIS. an abbreyiation
OF sister. suppose; and he navcr kissed
me In his life.s save when he come
home or upon his departure. Yet al
ways thought of him as my future hus-
band. and planned my life according
My mother was poor widow. when
Colonel Monroe married her. She had
barely means enough to exc out our cx-
penses, but she was very handsome aud
fascinating. She. had what people
called n way with men" that was
irresistible. She fostcrcd the idea that
] was TO be Sinclair's wife. One day
she and were driving together about
the estates, and she turned 70 me and
smiled and said: r r
How strange Il Is, ma petite. that
you and ]. two penniless creatures that
we were few years ago. viii! one day
possess both these splendid estatcs for
our very own. II Is like . fairy story.
All! say what they will-thc noFalists
and preachers a handsome face and
a little tact are the most priceless gifts
full. dear, that you are Handsome
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 aud clear,
my features perfectly regular.
i turned away smiling and satisfied.
Sinclair came home soon afterward
to remain; at least. he had finished his
college course, graduating with honors.
He was very handsome. and my
heart throbbcd with pride and JOY a. /
looked upon him.
Surely every good gift in life was
mine.
Sinclair remained ut home 3 year
We were Of course thrown constantly
together, and he was the same frank
comradc as Of old. yet he spoke no
word Of love. i grew FESTIVE and inn
patient for matters to be settled. l
was ut the age when every girl longs
for lover. wanted to be lovcd--I
wanted TO be bctrothed. had thought
II all out many times: how after the
betrothal my mother would give large
ball. and how rcsplcndcntI 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 com
slant cultivation rendered il 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.
l was bitterly disappointed. and 50
was my mother.
But let him sow his wild oats" she
said; she will come home all the more
inclined 70 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 il
proudly. The man was in no way the
equal Of Sinclair; and besides felt nv
self TO belong to Sinclair. as much
as intimated this to nv 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. NY heart swclled full Of hope.
We're nv early dreams to be realized?
Then suddenly my mother died.
Plunged into deep mourning. ] did
not think II 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
year after your great loss. he began.
land yet believe what have 10 say
will result in greater happiness TO Us
all. have long had 1t in my mind
/ felt my heart trembling in my
breast like 4 frightened bird. At last,
nj last! Was he about to say the words
| had waited SO long to hear? Then
he continued: II am going 70 be mar
RED next month. Agnes. l met my
bride while l was travelling abroad.
She il an American. She was also
travelling with her parents. She is a
lovely girl, and she will brighten mp the
old house for Us all. l thought Of
building before / married. but father
wants me to remain here. At least for
year or two. And I would like TO have
my bride plan her own home when !
do build. / hope you will love her.
Agnes. | am surb you can not help II. =
How l ever managed to control my
awful modification, my surprise and
my anger. / do not know. Il was 40
sudden, 50 unexpected, like blow in
the dark. brought all my pride 70
bear upon my emotions. and con-
graduated him with seeming warmth.
but felt as II a new being took pos
session Of my body from that houI I
had always been selfish girl, inclined
to BE- mcrccnary and cxacting. Now
within my breast awokc a demon Of
jealousy and spite that made my life
wrctchcd. It seemed 30 me that had
opened the door 10 flock Of evil spir-.