Year: 1866




wealthy. In early life he married one of the CO
heiresses of city banker, and by ante-nuptia
| agreement her property was strictly secured tc
any heirs she might have. She died while /
her only child, was yet an infant, and all hel
vast wealth became mine, held by my father in
trust for my use, until | should reach the age al
which it would come into my sole possession.
was left to the care of servants, principally
for my father, though very fond of me, was al
ways immersed in business, and spent but little
time in the splendid but comfortless home over
which no mistress presided.


| could not always remain thus. My aunt
st. Clair returned from Europe when was about
fourteen. She came with her family to Verdhill,
by my fathers invitation, to remain until her
house in town could be put in order for her re-
ception. She saw and was astonished at my
wild appearance and hoydenish manners She
quickly decided that her sisters child, and a
great heiress, must not be allowed to remain
thus, and it was arranged that should accom-
pany her TO the city to enter at once upon the
course of instruction SO necessary and so long
neglected.


AT the age of sixteen my aunt had succeeded
in having me I" finished according to the fash
ionable patent, ! was beautiful, wilful, utterly
selfish, and devotee of the art of flirting So
accomplished, returned to my old home, and
my aged father who welcomed me with pride
and fondness. A gay party went with me, whom
| was to make the round of the watering places
with after short visit to my father.


The Sabbath before we were to start we all
went to the old village church. | shall never
forget that day AS we all sat silent there was
slight rustling of leaves, and the imperceptble
stir that announces newcomer and | turned
to see that the clergyman had entered noiseIessly
He was kneelng at his desk, his face buried in
the snowy handkerchief he bore in his hand,
but when, after moment, he rose, saw pale,
intellectual face, grand head covered by light
waving hair of golden brown, tall figure, fine
ly proportioned, but little too slight for the
indications of robust health. | was attracted
and interested at first, but when he began to read,
the deep, melodious infections of his voice COM
pleted the charm. listened entranced


From that instant I saw nothing, felt nothing
but his presence and when the service and the
sermon were ended and he sank down in the
last, silent prayer, it was as if the sun had been
withdrawn from my world, and left in dark
ness.


Mechanically followed my friends into the
porch. sudden, summer shower was gather
ing-the air was chill, the bird songs were hush
ed, and all nature wore the gray hue so omnous
Of her coming couvulsions | had been uncon-
scious of the change, but the chill wind had been
blowing upon me from an open window, as sat
iu church, and now shuddered, as taking my
father arm l hurried homeward. Before we
reached the house the storm broke, and all but
the swiftest pedestrians were thoroughly drench-
ed Ere nghtfall burning fever aternated with
icy chills in my frame, and the effect of draught
and drenching, declared themselves.


Mr.. Fletcher had been invited by my father to
dine with us, but had excused himself with the
simple remark that his duties absorbed the en-
tire Sabbath-day But during the week and af-
ter our friends had left US, he called. | saw him
in the little morning room where rested upon
a couch, and he dined with my father. This vis-
it was followed by many others, until at last he
dined with US nearly every day, and spent most
evenings in listening to my performance upon
the piano-forte, or in conversation with me.


| saw the effect of my charms. knew that
was beautiful, and the world declared me bril-
liant. And brought every art that had learn
ed, to lure this silent, grave youth to my feet
1t was triumph to bend his glorious intellect to
girls will, and liked him, too, liked him
more and more as time-that lovely summertime
wore ON. But am sure no thought of the fu-
ture or the consequences of my acts ever intrud-
ed upon me. l had been taught to look upon
life as game, and forgot that all players were
not skilful like myself. .1 10


And yet suffered, too, for was not destitute of
sympathy, and my heart not wholly untouched,
either by the profound devotion of this silent,
grave man-with all his learning and mental
discipline powerless to keep him from my feet
when l listened to his declaration of love, and
spoke the words that separated us forever.


l went up to my room half angry with myself,
listening to some smothered reproaches of my
conscience, yet repeating that |, heiress and beau
ty, with the honors of bellehood not yet fallen
into tradition, could not marry poor country
clergyman, whose sole estate was his bands and
surplce and the pittance these VILLAGERS paid
him for those wonderful sermons, and all his
heavy pastoral labors.


And yet had been struck and panied with
the palor that overspread that noble face as it
bent toward me in farewell. Something told me
that had been hard and cold with him, even
while my own heart pleaded for him. But sti-
fled the silent monitor, and ordered my maid to
prepare for the journey was about to undertake
to Join my friends at Newport. alfs


The morning left home my father mentioned,
casually that he had heard that Mr.. Fletcher was
very ill., felt myself grow pale and cold, but
l stfed my emotions, and in constrained voice
expressed my regret at these tidings, and begged
my father to provide the invalid with every need
ed luxury from Verdhill, and to inform me in
his letters of his state. sa


y 90


Two years later was in Italy with my hus-
band-the husband of my Aunt ST. Clair's s
choice. had made grand match, but | was
not happy. Diamonds bound an aching brow
and flashed above q throbbing heart. Twas cold
and unloying to my husband, and he returned
my indifference with scorn. A few months had
brought US to this pass-that he lived out of
doors, amid pleasures in which had no share
and which shrunk from even guessing at, and
went alone into society, mark, in my beauty,
for continental gossip.


One night saw my husband making his way
toward me through crowded saloon. Ipressed
forward, for felt the need of his protection from
advances that were insults, though perhaps not
intended fer such. He drew nay arm in his, but