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��AFTER AWHILE.
��chair near me— the very one you vacated a few moments ago, Allie — he sat down and told me the story I was so longing to hear.
He had spoken to my mother, won her consent, and now awaited my own, which, of course, I did not withhold, and when at last I sought my room I was perfectly happy as his affianced. One thing had troubled me, at first, which was this —
He had loved before, and the sweet, young girl had died on the day that was to have been her bridal. I say this had troubled me at first, but I was assured that George truly loved me, so I made up my mind never to think of that mat- ter again, but to be as happy as if it had never been. The week passed as all weeks will, and when he left us, he made me very happy with the knowledge that when spring came, he would return as principal for the Spring term at the academy.
I will not weary you with details, Allie. The spring came and passed, and when he left me it was decided that in the fall he would return and make me his wife and assistant teacher, and so it would have been, had I not ruthlessly thrown away my own happiness.
In July, Dr. Hugh Ellis came to L
and commenced practice. Mother, whose health had been failing for some time, was taken suddenly ill one day, and I went hurriedly for our family physician, Dr. Lane, but to my sorrow, found him absent. I was returning sick at heart, when I met Dr. Ellis. I asked him to return with me to see my mother. He did so, and although he soon relieved her, it was weeks ere she was able to be about the house again, and so every day the Doctor's horse and carriage could have been seen at the gate, and at length I discovered it was not altogether to see mother that he came, but it was rather on my own account. Then, all my old love for a flirtation came back to me, Allie —
I should be married in the fall and this was my last opportunity, so why not im- prove it. I questioned. I supposed he knew of my engagement, however, so I let matters take th g,r own course until I
��was awakened to my true position by a proposal from the young physician.
I see you are astonished, Allie, and no wonder you are so. I had not intended matters to go so far as that, and I asked him if he did not know I was engaged. He knew nothing of it, and his anguish was terrible. I wept bitterly over my misdoings, but could do nothing to right the great wrong that had been wrought.
Meanwhile, letters came to me every week from George, and I was beginning to count the weeks that must elapse ere I should see him, when I one day re- ceived a very heavy letter, which I has- tened to open, expecting a greater treat than usual, for his letters were always very interesting, not silly love letters, merely, but always full of good sound sense and manly sentiment. I can re- peat his letter, word for word, for it seemed scorched on my brain with th » first reading. It ran thus : —
"Lizzie Merton:
When I asked you to be my wife, I thought I was asking a good, true wom- an. I find I was mistaken, and al- though finding you out has caused me bitter suffering, I rejoice that I have not been permitted to marry a coquette. If you do not know to what particular flirtation I refer, the letter enclosed from my dearest friend, Hugh Ellis, who willexplain all to your satisfaction.
Not even respectfully, yours,
George Town.
I read the long letter which Dr. Ellis had sent him, through, and with my heart all torn and bleeding as it was I could not help pitying him. He was not to blame, for he never knew George Town cared foi me, for, for some reason I never understood, George had never mentioned my name to him, although they corresponded regularly. I had no recollection of ever hearing George mention Dr. Ellis' name, but mother said she knew they were acquainted.
A brain fever followed, and in my rav- ings, Dr. Ellis learned the truth. Dr. Lane called him in as counsel, and seeing his face must have brought back to mind the terrible anguish I endured ere I lost my reason, for mother said I had never referred toitbefore. Howeverthatmay be he discerned all and like the true and no- ble young man he was, he tried to effect
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