Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-04-10
PARTED HEARTS.
An UnFOmanfic Romance.

An UHFOmantic Romance.
Kitty Spinner and l had been betrothed
since children, ana when | had to bid her
good-by and go to California for while en-
business, it seemed as If neither OF US would
survive the separation.
F. r six months lived on her letters. l
dare say should have continued in the
same blissful ecstasy if Buuncer, with
whom I did some business, bad not invited
me home TO dinner, / met his
daughter Bessy, a round, rosy checked
young lady, who might have put Kitty in
her pocket.
What towards men are, what dastards
in Lowell fell head over heels in love with
Mis- Boupcer. did, / own if.
My letters ia Kitty began TO be shorter
and so did hers. When l had summoned
courage 10 buy Mss Bonncer's ring
thought it time to let the old love know
what rascal [ was.
She bad told me that when my love faded
out she should know it., and she should
fade out of life also. What if it should lie
so? knew how she sat at her window
watching for the postman, as she had told
me so ofreu my letters were her only joy.
was all Miss Bouhcer's now, but had q
spasm of conscience occasionally, At last,
after long silence, thought of the best
friend had on earth, the only one likely to
make any allowance for me, and wrote
to my mother.
"Dear Mother" 1 said, II know you
will despise me, and despise myself; but
love comes and goes unbidden Absence
and the presence of another-if you could
see her you would know that no man could
resist her-have quite changed my besrt
no longer love sweet, excellent Kitty
Spinner, and do love Bessy Bouncer. OF
course. people who do not love must not
marry; bat now l scorn myself! Pity
ne! Aud what will be the effect on
Kitty? 1 dread to ask. 1 fear that it
will kill her. Every night 1 awaken with
q dread upon me that may see her sad.
pale face gazing upon me-rhat her ghost
may haunt me for my infidelity. Break it
to her gently, and be merciful in your
thoughts of me. can scarcely be merc
ful to myself. How could be false to one
who is incarnate copstancy?
yours shjectly,
sGORDoN BRICK"
After this waited in terror for the an.
sWer and at last a reply came from my
mother. Her letter was brief This was
all it said:
"Deorest son,-May Bessie Bouncer
prove all you hope her TO be. | enclose
letter that received from Mss Kitty
Spinner four months ago. Read it and
don't trouble yourself any mere about her.
l hadn't the heart to send 1t before.
"YoUR LOVING MOTHER"
And there was K,tty's letter. Poor
Kitty! Poor broken hearted girl. gazad
npon the trembling lines and groaned.
Then bent over them and read this:
"De0r, Dear Mrs. Spi1aner,-You are bis
mother; you can break it best to him. Oh,
forgive me, please, forgive me. l thought
l could be true to him for life. I did love
him. Oh, did really and truly. And
then the young clergyman began to preach
here, and was so attentive. On, I've tired
TO lie CONSTANT have, indeed l have. but
l cenldn't. Ifyou knew the Rev. Ephri
ham Jones, you wouldn't wonder; and, oh,
break it to him-poor Gordon-genrly He
said he'd kill himself if was false to him
and, oh, since | have been false-for Pm
engaged to Ephriham-I exeect every
night to see his ghost, with its throat cut,
at the foot Of my bed But how can you
help yonr feelings? You can't be in love
unless you are, can you? Ga, poor Gordon,
though l dom love him any more, | pity
him so, pray for him every night. How
could be so ipcnustaDt 10 one [ know 10
be as true as steel! don't expect you to
forgive me, bur tell him l beg him on my
Blended knees to do 80.
"Your miserable, repsntant, wicked
"KITTY
"P. S:-Beg and pray him not to kill
himself"
Then out Of the envelope tumbled a lii,
tie slip If printed paper:
''On November 5, by the Rev. Barton
GoodenoGgh, EphrIham Jones' D. D, t.,
Kitty. youngest daughter of Aminidab
Spinner, all of this city"
the date was three mouths back.
was married myself very soon to Miss
Bessy Bouncer, and retribntive justice has
fallen On neither of US. One day, a veal
ago, Bessy and / and our family encounter
ed at a railway station clergyman and
fam ~. The matron OF the party-a
small, blue-eyed person-uttered little
scream.
81 declare, it's Mr.. Brick!' said sshe.
"Ephriham, an old friend of mine.'
Ii was Kitty. We shook hands. l in
troduced my wife. The Rev. Mr.. Jones
bowed and shook hands with everybody.
My Bessy stopped low enough to shake
hands with little Mrs. Jones, and grew
Eolicitous about the boys muff1ers. Kitty
and had it all to ourselves.
81 often thiuk of the old school times, !"
said she.
"The old school times were very pleas
ant" said l. Then, GAIL aboard!'' was
shouted, and we parted.
"What giantess" heard Kitty re-
mark to her spouse, as she took him into
the car.
ga very unhealthy looking little person
How be stoops," said I. spoke of the
Rev Epnriham.
"Ahl' said Bessy; and Bessy was cross
Tor an hour or two; but she got over it.