out him, and, in prosecuting
his inquiries, would, most likely, find some one inclined to relate
the story of Edith Walter. What was more natural? That story once in
the ears of Clara, and he felt that she must turn from him with a
feeling of repulsion.

Three or four days longer he was in suspense. He heard of Col.
Richards from several quarters, and, in each case when he was
mentioned, he was alluded to as making inquiries about him.

"I hear that the beautiful Miss Weldon is to be married," was said
to Florence at a time when he was almost mad with the excitement of
suspense.

"Ah!" he replied, with forced calmness, "I hope she will be
successful in securing a good husband."

"So do I; for she is indeed a sweet girl. I was more than half
inclined to fall in love with her myself; and would leave done so,
if I had believed there was any chance for me."

"Who is the favored one?" asked Florence.

"I have not been able to find out. She received three or four
offers, and went back to Albany to consider them and make her
election. This she has done, I hear; and already, the happy
recipient of her favor is rejoicing over his good fortune. May they
live a thousand years to be happy with each other!"

Here was another drop of bitterness in the cup that was at the lips
of Edwin Florence. He went to his office immediately, and, setting
down, wrote thus to Clara:

"I do not wrongly interpret, I presume, a silence continued far
beyond the time agreed upon when we parted. You have rejected my
suit. Well, be it so; and may you be happy with him who has found
favor in your eyes. I do not think he can love you more sincerely
than I do, or be more devoted to your happiness than I should have
been. It would have relieved the pain I cannot but feel, if you had
deemed my offer worthy a frank refusal. But, to feel that one I have
so truly loved does not think me even deserving of this attention,
is humiliating in the extreme. But, I will not upbraid you.
Farewell! May you be happy."

Sealing Up his epistle, the young man, scarcely pausing even for
hurried reflection, threw it into the post office. This done, he
sunk into a gloomy state of mind, in which mortification and
disappointment struggled alternately for the predominance.

Only a few hours elapsed after the adoption of this hasty course,
before doubts of its propriety began to steal across his mind. It
was possible, it occurred to him, that he might have acted too
pr