A Final Triumph; or, A Lady Bachelor — page 54: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

52 A LADY BACHELOR. change toward me; but, mother, to go away without one word, to act as though he had done or said nothing to lead me to believe that he sought my love, was go cruel—oh, se cruel! His conduct has, in one blow, struck every sensi- bility—my love may be counted the least. He did not strike that alone; he has insulted my self-esteem, my pride, my intelligence. He has overwhelmed me with derision, made my sincerity wantonness, my self-respect a sham, _ my modesty a vulgar pretense. He has cast a blight over every sacred consciousness that is a part of my womanhood. Mamma, he has broken my heart; every glimmer of hope is quenched forever. Would that in mercy I had died and escaped this humiliation!’’ ** My child, all you say is true. Why not call into ac- tion the stronger part of your nature, resurrect your pride, fan your indignation, and crush out every recollection of this experience and this man?”’ ** Mother, I can never do it. ”’ ** Why not?” ** Because I believe that when he won my love he was sincere; I believe I was not deceived; I believe he loves me. Icould not make such a terrible mistake. No, no; he did love me; he was sincere when he won my love. Oh, there is some reason, some strange reason, why he acts as he does! It is his conduct that has stricken me. He has thrust into my bleeding heart the sword of doubt and left it there, and he will never draw it forth. To be de- serted would be sorrow; to be forsaken, under the circum- stances that separate us, is maddening; and neither papa, you, nor I can never ask him now why he has treated me Gomie oxox 0) iS a! ’ t / ’ P, ‘ >’ ad : ; ; ; fig } : pyri , ie Wis J 7 ! 4 i ‘ ' . r “- Lt aie 2 » ia Mag! : Pw "i¢ . a ae we , eRe ? «te . mo" ' com >