Heart-Histories and Life-Pictures | Page 9

He had, it is true, returned to his first
allegiance. He had laid his heart again at her feet; but, to how little
purpose! While in this state of agitation, the young man resolved, more
than once, to abandon his suit for the hand of Miss Weldon, and shrink
back again into the seclusion from which he had come forth. But, his
affection for the lovely girl was too genuine to admit of this. When he
thought of giving her up, his mind was still more deeply disturbed.
"Oh, that I could forget!" he exclaimed, while this struggle was in
progress. "Of what avail is this turning over of the leaves of a long
passed history? I erred--sadly erred! But repentance is now too late.
Why, then should my whole existence be cursed for a single error? Ah,
me! thou not satisfied, departed one? Is it, indeed, from the presence of
thy spirit that I am troubled? My heart sinks at the thought. But no, no!
Thou wert too good to visit pain upon any; much less upon one who,

thou false to thee, thou didst so tenderly love."
But, upon this state there came a natural re-action. A peaceful calm
succeeded the storm. Memory deposited her records in the mind's
dimly lighted chambers. To the present was restored its better
influences.
"I am free again," was the almost audible utterance, of the young man,
so strong was his sense of relief.
An offer of marriage was then made to Miss Weldon. Her heart
trembled with joy when she received it. But confiding implicitly in her
uncle, who had been for the space of ten years her friend and guardian,
she could not give an affirmative reply until his approval was gained.
She, therefore, asked time for reflection and consultation with her
friend.
Far different from what Florence had expected, was the reception of his
offer. To him, Miss Weldon seemed instantly to grow cold and
reserved. Vividly was now recalled his rejection by Miss Linmore, as
well as the ground of her rejection.
"Is this to be gone over again?" he sighed to himself, when alone once
more, "Is that one false step never to be forgotten nor forgiven? Am I to
be followed, through life, by this shadow of evil?"
To no other cause than this could the mind of Florence attribute the
apparent change and hesitation in Clara Weldon.
Immediately on receiving an offer of marriage, Miss Weldon returned
to Albany. Before leaving, she dropped Florence a note, to the effect,
that he should hear from her in a few days. A week passed, but the
promised word came not. It was, now plain that the friends of the
young lady had been making inquiries about him, and were in
possession of certain facts in his life, which, if known, would almost
certainly blast his hopes of favor in her eyes. While in this state of
uncertainty, he met the aunt of Edith, and the way she looked at him,
satisfied his mind that his conjectures were true. A little while after a

friend remarked to him casually--
"I saw Colonel Richards in town to-day."
"Colonel Richards! Miss Weldon's uncle?"
"Yes. Have you seen him?"
"No. I have not the pleasure of an acquaintance."
"Indeed! I thought you knew him. I heard him mention your name this
morning."
"My name!"
"Yes."
"What had he to say of me?"
"Let me think. Oh! He asked me if I knew you."
"Well?"
"I said that I did, of course and that you were a pretty clever fellow;
though you had been a sad boy in your time."
The face of Florence instantly reddened.
"Why, what's the matter? Oh I understand now! That little niece of his
is one of your flames. But come! Don't take it so to heart. Your chances
are one in ten, I have no doubt. By the way, I haven't seen Clara for a
week. What has become of her? Gone back to Albany, I suppose. I
hope you haven't frightened her with an offer. By the way, let me
whisper a word of comfort in your ear. I heard her say that she didn't
believe in any thing but first love; and, as you are known to have had
half a dozen sweethearts, more or less, and to have broken the hearts of
two or three young ladies, the probability is, that you won't be able to
add her to tie number of your lady loves."

All this was mere jesting; but the words, though uttered in jest, fell
upon the ears of Edwin Florence with all the force of truth.
"Guilty, on your own acknowledgment," said the friend, seeing the
effect of his words. "Better always to act fairly in these matters of the
heart, Florence.