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Volume 3 (1858-1859) (592 pages)
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Page: of 592
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20 HUTCHINGS’ CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE.
of the first class; he was a particular
favorite with the General, Mr. Rutlige
was quite sanguine in his hopes, notwithstanding her cold reception of his
advances. He knew he. was all right
with the General, Believing in -the virtue of perseverance, he was unremitting
in his attentions to Ella, who respected
and thought him a superior young man.
There was much in him to admire, and
she treated him with cordial respect, ever
saving his feelings, but giving his suit no
encouragement.
Mr. Rutlige was elected to Congress,
and as the time approached for him to go
to Washington, the General proposed to
Lady Dunbar and Ella to spend the winter at the city of Washington. Eulogizing the pleasures spent in the midst of
the wise of the nation, Lady Dunbar and
Ella were pleased with the proposition.
Mr. Rutlige hailed this movement as a
favorable sequel to his suit. The General was not long in TaBEBE his arrangements.
Ella saw much to admire in Mr, Rutlige, but she could not withdraw her
feelings from the young stranger who
saved her from the flames,
The trip to Washington was pleasant
and profitable to all—especially to Lady
Dunbar, who saw in everything something new and interesting. On their arrival the city was already crowded with
the representatives of the different States.
The young Countess was soon the belle
of the city. .A routine of balls and parties were constantly affording the gone
ral’s family ample amusement.
“T have much, my dear Ella,” said
Rutlige, one day, “that I wish to say to
you. You cannot be ignorant of my
feelings. My happiness is at your disposal. Xou can make me the happiest
or the most miserable of men. You are
too good, too lovely to drive me to despair.”
“T certainly would do nothing to make
you unhappy, and I hope you are not
as irrevocably attached as you have imagined, as it gives me much pain to be
the cause of unhappiness to one whom I
esteem. I would also add, that before I
saw you, I loved one I can never forget.”
“Before I saw you, did you say?”
ce Yes.”
* Will you do me the honor to inform
me who the favored one is?”
Ella blushed. Her candor forbid equivocation. She lifted her dark soft eyes on
Mr. Rutlige. Every feature bore marks
of despair. It touched her sympathy.
“Mr. Rutlige, I have never trifled with
your feelings. I have endeavored to discourage your suit. I wished to treat you
as a worthy friend and as a brother, and
were my heart free, I know of none more
likely to engage my every feeling.”
“You are very considerate, my dear
Ella. I will endeavor to merit your esteem, as a brother, and drop this unpalatable subject. But promise me the second place in your heart.”
_ Ella saw that Mr. Rutlige was a sufferer, and his noble unselfishness moved
her to tears.
“My. Rutlige, I appreciate your feelings, and should the present object of my
affections prove unworthy of my love, I
am yours.” She extended her hand to
him; he pressed it to his heart.
“Noble girl! God grant you happiness.
To be regarded as a brother by such a
girl is more than the hand and heart of
any other woman that I might possess.’
This interesting conversation was broken up by the entrance of Lady Dunbar
and the General, ready for the theatre.
A young man in the adjoining box to
Ella fixed his eyes upon her. Rutlige
touched her arm.
“That man,” said he, “has not withdrawn his eyes from you this half hour.”
Ella turned to look at the interested
stranger. It was her turn now to change
color. There sat the very man who su-