Year: 1862

|
rage, alter had lured them on TO q sdecla-
.ion." Ny last victims name was James Fra
zer. He was tall, awkward, homely and un-
calmly man, but his heart was true as steel
| respected him highly and felt panied when
| witnessed his anguish at my rejection of
him. But the fact was, had fallen in love
with Elliott Tracy, city gallant, who had
been unremtted in his devotion to me. James
warned me against Elliot, but charged him
with Jeaiously and took his warming as an in
suit. In a few days after Elliott and 1 were
engaged, and my dream Of romantic love
seemed in fair way of realization. | had a
week of happiness. Many have not so much
IN lifetime. Many awake from the brighs
short dream to find themselves in lifelong
darkness and bondage from which there is no
escape. Thank God, was not to be SO miser-
able as they.


There was an equestrian party winding
through our grand old woods and quiet conn
try roads. Elliott and led the cayalcade I
rode my own beautiful Brown Bess. Elliott
was mounted on the handsome black horse
that had been sent him from the city. Fol
lowing us was a bevy of merry girls and their
cavaliers, and among them, tall awkward and
silent, rode James Frazer. His presence had
marred all the pleasure of my ride, and 1 was
glad to be in advance OF them ali that might
not see him.


And SO we rode on over the soft sandy road
that echoed not tile tramp of onr horses hoofs
and listened, well pleased to the low but an
imated words OF Elliott Tracy, who wished
himself knight, and me fair lady of the Of
den time, that he might go forth to do battle
Tor me and compel all men to recognize the
claims OF his peerless love- of the brave deeds
and perilouS exploits it had prompted, wish
ing again and again that he might thus pro
claim his love before the world. Ii pleased
me to listen TO this; and believe it sincere,
though had no wish to put my love to such
a test


A shot rang through the still woods and a
wounded bird, darting past futtered and fell
at the foot of Brown Bess. With bound and
a spring that nearly unseated me, she was of.


Struggling to regain my seat, L had no pow
er TO restrain her, she flew, the fear and mad
ness of the moment grew upon her. | could
only cling breathessy to name and bride.
and wonder helplessly where this mad gallon
was to end. She sweryed from passing wae-
on, and turned into cart track that led TO
the river. In the sudden movement the reins
had been torn from my hands, and | could not
regain them. How sweet was life in thos.,
precious moments that | thought my last
How all its joys, its affections, its last crown
ing love rose mp before me. | thought OF tb,
pang that would rend Eliott's heart as he saw
me lying, mangled and dead and then ths
thought would come if he were pursuing and
trying to save me, even as he had said, at the
risk of life and limb.


L remembered no more, L felt sudden
shock. fearful rushing through the air, and
| knew no more until, days afterwards, woke
to faint, weak semblance OF LIE, in my room
at home.


never saw Elliott Tracy again.


The last words | ever heard from bis ips
were those of knighty daring


The last act OF his life in connection with
mine was to follow In the train of frightened
youths who rode after me, TO contemplate the
disaster from the affair and as soon as he saw
me lifted from the shallow bed of the river in-
to which | had been thrown when my fright
ened horse stopped suddenly, on its bank to
ride hastily back to the village. That even
ing he sent to make inquiries, and learning
that was severely, but 1t was hoped not fata!-
ly injured. he thcnceforth contented himself
with such tidings of my condition and I'M
provement as could be gained from village
rumor.


At last it was known that could never re-
cover entirely from the effects of my injury
and that very day Elliott Tracy departed sud .
denly from the village. He made no attempt
to see me, nor send me any farewell. When
was once more abroad, and beginning, though
with much unalloyed bitterness, to learn the
lesson Of patience and resignation that await
ed me, received letter from him, in which
he merely said that he presumed my own
judgment had taught me that, in my altered
circumstances, our engagement must be at an





(tis honor p he wrete TO say that while en-
tertaining the highest respect for me, he de
sired formal renunciation of my claim.


Writing at the bottom of this letter, ssLes
it be as you wish,'' returned il to, him az
once, and thus ended my brief dreams OF ro-
mantle love.


l had heard ere this, OF Elliott Tracy's COW
ardly conduct that day, and who first be-
thought me to inquire who had rescued me
from imminent death.


And then 1 learned that James Frazer, his
arm already broken by the jerk with which
Brown Bess tore away from him as he caught
at her bride, had ridden after me and been
the first to lift me from the water.


Many times daily had he made inquiries for
me. His had been the hand that sent tho rare
flowers that decked my room. His were the
books read in the lingering days OF conva-
lescense, and his now, the arm that sup
ported me, slowly and painfully, paced
the garden walk


| have been his wife for many year.
have forgotten that be is not handsome, or
rather he is beautiful to Dle, because L see his
grand and lovely spirit shining through his
plain features, and animating his awkward
figure. ! have long since laid aside, as ut
terly untenable, my pet theory, that beautiful
spirit dwell only in lovely bodies. lt may DO
providential compensation that in denying
physical perfection, the soul is not dwarfed or
distorted, but shines the brighter that IS mar
red by pretty vanity for love OF world praise.


SURE ESoUGH-A teamster in our army
was outrageously rough, and yelled at his
mules very foolishly, annoyed all around him.
The General (who happened not to be in uni
form) once heard him, and ordered him to