The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-01-27


was very pleasant, we being treated on
our way to beautiful sunset.
"When nearing our destination my
friend called my attention to small
sailboat containing two young ladies, in
the center of the stream, where the
current was both swift and deep we
%ero gradually approaching each other
when we noticed sudden squall of
wind strike the boat that Immediately
overturned it. Without moments
hesitation I leapcd overheard, striving
TO reach the spot where had seen ono
of the young ladies sink. reached it
as she came up and grasped her by her
hair trying to keep her ahoat, but the
severe exertion l had undergone to
reach the spot was too severe for me
my head swan around, lights appeared
before my eyes, an / lost conscious
ness. just rs was sinking / was
seized and drawn into the boat by my
friend.
"A week passed before i was able to
leave my room, the shock losing for me
what l had gained. One afternoon my
friend, who had been a constant com
panion at my bedside, asked me to take
drive. l felt able to go and consented.
We we're just about to enter the carriage
when young lady met u.s. Ny friend
introduced her to me as the one / had
saved. She thanked me over and over
again. l myself could only say some-
thing about my not wishing it spoken
about. My whole heart seemed to have
left me in An instant. / could hardly
look into her eyes, 80 confused wss I.
l may say hero. during my life I had
very little to do with the ladies 90 to
srddcnly find myself deeply in love was
very strange to me at FIRST. managed
to call on her almost every day. She
encouraged me in many different ways,
and by and by could always be found
in her company. with sailing, driving.
rowing and all kinds Of pleasures. Time
sped swiftly along. and before I could
realize it the time for our departure was
Mt hand. The Last night Of our stay at
b. had arrived. had walked with her
to our favorits retreat on the cliff over
looking the sea. Tho moon had Just
risen and everything was covered with
its silvery light took her hand in
mine. She did not resist. spoke to
her of the happy times We had together,
and growing bolder, at last declared my
love and asked her to be mine At
that moment tho moon was covered by
dark cloud. / think, since then, it
must have boen An OWL omen, but I
scarcely needed it as waited anxiously
for her answer, which she at last gave
me. Looking at me, with her face COW
cred with bushes she could not hide,
she told me she would be mine The
cloud that had covered the moon van
ished in the distance and things were
brighter to me than ever they had been
since, or will be again. We sat and
talked of our. future, and our plans we
laid, rs all lovers do. Oh those mo-
ments were full of bliss indeed, but
as all things must come to an end we
were obliged to go; with promises to
meet soon we parted, | to go to my
home and friends, she to hers.
" | called to see her at her home in
the city she always appeared so glad
to see me, at all times greeting me with
that fascinating manner that had so en-
dcared her to me. One morning last
week | arose late. After breakfast | sat
down by the fire to read the paper and
smoke. | had about completed the pa
per when note attracted my eye. L
read it. The walls and furniture seemed
to dance before my eyes, / pincbed
myself to sec if | was not asleep, but it
was too true. l was wide awake. /
rnO1 II and tbn ,,-O,1c
burning themselves into my brain like
red-hot irons. seized my hat and
rushed from the house. 1t seemed ages
before L reached her home. l was
obliged to wait before | could see her.
Each moment to me seemed year. She
greeted me in her old manner, just as if
nothing had happened. L could not
speak, but, holding the paper before
her, l awaited her denial as could not
expect anything else, but she gave me q
cold little laugh, and forgetting how
much L loved her, how my whole life
depended on her, she told me that she
had only kept my acquaintance as q
summer one, making out Of the whole
thing fine joke. The notice OF her
marriage in the paper was but too true.
At that moment my heart seemed 10
break. 1 have been walking in dream
ever since. Friends, every moment to
me is one of agony"
He stopped to catch his breath, at
the same time pressing his handkerchief
to his lips There was not dry eye in
the room. We thought he had finished,
but he continued: Let my life be les
son. Trust not young woman not
well known to you, especially the sum-
mer acquaintances, which are more to
be feared than any others. have done
my best, boys. will now bid my last
good-by." We arose as one man to Of
fer him words of cheer and comfort,
but without a word he fell to the floor
We raised his head to give him air, but
the life, for which he cared so little,
had left him forever. A small, empty
vial, labelled poison, concealed in his