Collection: Books and Periodicals > Hutchings' Illustrated California Magazine

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Title: Volume 3 (1858-1859) Collection Type: Books and Periodicals Collection Name: Hutchings' Illustrated California Magazine Published: 1858-1859 # of Pages: 592 Download PDF: User Login Required Download OCR Text: User Login Required

Date Scanned: 2024-08-29 22:23:33 OCR Software Version #: tesseract 5.4.1 First Created: 2025-03-17 03:20:47 Last Updated: 2025-03-17 03:20:47

Original Held At: Searls Historical Library Location: 161 Nevada City Hwy, Nevada City, CA 95959

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562 HUTCHINGS’ CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE. they were going to take us by storm; let me introduce you to them, Mr. Bruner.” “For once, my dear Miss Wilder, I must refuse a lady.” “Dear me, how odd you are—see, she is the belle of the evening among the beaux.” A young man was now leading Elbana to the piano. The exquisite sounds of her voice, with the effect of her pretty fingers on the elegant instrument, caused a deep sigh. “Why, Mr. Bruner, such heavenly sounds should not cause you a sigh.” “No, my dear Miss Wilder, but sometimes it brings fresh regrets for treasures lost.” “T do not comprehend you, I believe.” “Perhaps not,” replied Alfred, affecting a laugh. Miss Wilder now excused herself, and Alfred was left alone. He satin dejected silence, when McAdams approached him, and extended his hand, saying, . “ Mr. Bruner, I believe; it was sometime, sir, before I was sure I was correct in my supposition that it was you; in fact, I thought if it were you, you would, ere this, have recognized Miss Miramontes; but, perhaps, Mr. Bruner, you do not wish to renew the acquaintance ?” “That is owing to circumstances, Mr, McAdams.” ** Tunderstood by your friend, Mr. Simmons, that you were fearful of Miss Hlbana’s respectability ; all I have to say, Mr, Bruner, is, that Miss Miramontes is worthy of the esteem of the most fastidious patrons of excellence; and I would further add, that if you cast any further insinuations relative to her, I will demand satisfaction.” “Good heavens!” Mr. McAdams, what can you mean? J cast slurs on Elbana Miramontes! sooner would I sever my right arm from my body.” “Then you have been much belied by Simmons.” “Our conversation may attract notice here; let us retire, and I will explain all,” said Alfred, exceedingly distressed. McAdams leading the way to a private room, Alfred continued : “ When I tell you that I still entertain the warmest affection for Miss Elbana, you certainly will see the improbability of my ever having a desire to participate in contaminating her dear name; no, McAdams, in her is centred all my worldly happiness—at the same time, I would say, that I have probably been wrong in my surmises. I believed you to be anaccepted lover, as in no other way could I conciliate reasons for her remaining with you and your mother. It looked improbable that she would remain with a discarded lover. Do you admit that you come under that head in relation to her?” “Certainly, Mr. Bruner, I will not deny that the time has been when I was a lover of Miss Elbana; and improbable as it may seem, she has remained with a discarded lover. You never loved her with a fonder passion than I have done, but you preceded me in her affections, and her constancy to you excluded me from any participation in her affections; still Iam her friend, and will be to her a brother, as long as I am permitted to share in her confidences. That she loves you with all the strength of her ardent and changeless nature I am convinced ; therefore, Mr. Bruner, I resign to you your prior right; to me there is another objection, it was my hand that robbed her of a father, and it would cast a shadow ou our mutual happiness were I to marry the child.” «Your generosity, my dear McAdams, is without a parallel,and I admire, while T love you as a brother, and do not now wonder that she remained under your kind and noble protection; words cannot express my gratitude, and from this time you have a brother’s place in my heart.”