Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-10-26
ANDRES LOVE.

sometimes, when one sees earnest and gift
cd men struggling in vain against adverse
circumstances wl.ile others, without a
struggle, without an effort are borne tri.
umphuntly upon the tide of happiness and
success, one is apt to give credence to the
old idea of astral influence and exclaim,
The stars are against u.s.
Such person is said to have been born
under an evil star. Was Major Andre a
man of that description? Let the reader
judge.
Up to the age of manhood everything
seemed to 20 well with him. Handsome,
gifted beyond the common run Of men,
blessed with the power to win hearts and
to please the world appeared like table
of delights before him. His father was u
prosperous Genoese merchant settled in
London, and John was educated in the fa.
nous city with u view to following mer.
camille career. At the age of 20 he returned
to his home, the intention being that he
should join the elder Andre in business.
But parental fondness still INDUCED him.
John Andre had not seen much of his ma
tive land, and being fond of travel and
study he was allowed to make u tour of
England, his father feeling that the knowl-
edge thus gained would rebound to his
sons subsequent success in business.
In the course of his travels the young man
came to Lichfield and was there introduced
to the circle of Miss Seward. famous in her
day as a writer and poet. Among the per
sons whom he met at her house was the
fair Honora Sneyd, a young lady few
years younger than himself, beautiful be
yond any woman he had ever seen before
and lowered with the fatal gift of genius.
No sooner had he set eyes upon this young
lady than he fell deeply in love with her.
Miss Sneyd was not insensble to the at.
tcntions he paid her nor to the charms OF
his person and accomplishments. Not only
did he play divinely on the harpsichord
but he had a good voice and was frequent
ly induced to take part with Honora in d
duet. One evening he was induced to sing
a song Of his own composition. 1t breathed
the tenderest sentiments of love and was
greatly admired.
A little later, in stroll with him round
the garden, with its daintily trimmed par
terres, its boxes Of woodbine and roses and
its lurking cupids in shady bowers, Honora
lventured to pass warm encomiums upon
his ditty.
will you accept it, Miss Sneyd?" said
Andre. II mean" he added, will you ac
cept its dedicationf"
Honora hesitated
ut was written and composed expressly
for you" he added, looking down upon hel
| in rapture.
The moon was shining brightly, the gar
| den was full of fragrance, and a nightin
gale was warbling his love notes to the
summer night. The very air, soft and
balmy, seemed an incentive to love.
You do not answer, Miss Sneyd," Andre
continued.
You do me too much honor, Mr.. Andre ;
Honora replied
THAT were impossible the young mar
returned in an imprisoned voice
"Will you take me in. Mr.. Andre2 think
1t is time we returned"
''If you desire it, butt
In short, though they did return to the
house in the course of few minutes, il
was not until Andre had declared his pas
sion and Honora, confessing her own ten
der love, had promised to be his wife.
AS they assembled the steps into the house
they We're met by Mr.. Lowell Edgeworth, a
gentleman who had for some time beer
paying his addresses TO Honora. lie was
no longer in the flower of youth, having al
ready buried one wife, but he was botl
educated and well to do, and his suit was
regarded with favor by Honora's parents.
Shall / take you to your father, Miss
SneydF' asked Mr.. Edgeworth. He has
been looking for you"
| THANK YOU" replied the young lady
taking his arm and giving Andre look
! full of love
| Mr.. Edgeworth had for some time no
ticed and been annoyed by Andres atten
tions to Miss Sneyd, and fearing from theil
long stay in the garden that love had beer
the delayer he FASTENED to inform Mr.. Sneyd
| Of what had occurred.
| In the morning, as early as propriety
would permit, Mr.. Andre called to see Mr.
| Sneyd. That gentleman was engaged foi
the moment, and while he was waiting
Honora entered.
"Ah, l did not expect this pleasure dar
ling" exclaimed Andre.
Nor did ], but thought ], had better SEE
you, for fear there is trouble"
'Why?" asked the young man.
| From something that was said at break
fast time"
But you do not regret your promise
given TO me last night, dearest"
NO, nor ever shall, whatever comes"
| 'God bless you, darling!
| lhey hau barely time 10 seal tnelr words
with n kiss ere Mr., Sneyd entered. He ap
peared angry at seeing them together and
bade Honora leave the room.
When alone, Mr.. Sneyd said he under
stood that his visitor had been paying very
marked attentions to his daughter
Andre bowed, replied that it was true
and that it was that matter which hat
brought him there.
Mr.. Sneyd at once became very wrott
and said that if his visitor had had the good
feeling to make known his intentions be
fore he would have saved him n deal o
trouble. He then proceeded to inform An
Dire that he had already promised his
daughter to another, and that in any cast
he should not have allowed her to marry
into trade.
The young man demonstrated, implored
but in vain Mr.. Sneyd was obdurate, anC
In the end showed him tn the door reflls