Ambassador and wife. They promised to call frequently, and that they
would do all in their power to make her visit as pleasant as possible
during her stay in the city. In Russia's gay capital, she had all that
"wealth or beauty e'er gave," but there was a longing, which none of
this would satisfy. She often thought of her home in America--of her
dear uncle, of--yes, of her lover lawyer. Do what she may, she could
not efface him from her memory. She resolved to return, and await an
opportunity for service from the Red Cross. On the return voyage, her
vessel was wrecked in a storm, half of the passengers perishing, she
being among the saved, all of whom were carried to the nearest port,
from whence they were forwarded to New York. She went out and spent a
few days with Miss Mildred, who approved of her mission of mercy. She
parted with her former governess with many regrets, and was soon
caressing her uncle, in "Dixie's land." This was a joyful as well as
sad meeting. Her mother had died during her absence, and there was a
vacant chair which could never be filled. It took quite awhile to
relate her experiences in Europe, of her refusal to be Countess ----,
with wealth, ease, and all the pleasures of the Royal Court.
Simon told her that he was prouder of her now, than ever.
As was to be expected, her lover soon called, and while his
correspondence with her in Europe was only of a friendly character, he
had not despaired of making her his wife, if she ever returned. He
renewed his suit with more fervor than ever, but to all his entreaties
she would kindly but sadly say that were her environments or
circumstances different, she would bestow her hand where her heart was
already. His visits clandestinely made, were frequent. During her
absence in Europe, he had been elected State's Attorney, a responsible
and lucrative office, in which he had better opportunities to add to
his already well earned fame.
After her return, she decided to write up her experiences in Europe
minus the proposals, and publish them in one of the leading Northern
journals. This, her first attempt at writing for the press, elicited
favorable comment.
One day, while reading one of the latest novels, a messenger, nearly
out of breath, came running in with the sad news that her uncle was
dead. She hastened to the store, to find it too true. Her grief knew
no bounds. The physician who had been called pronounced his trouble,
apoplexy. She loved her uncle as she did her mother. Simon had gained
the confidence of all classes, and had built up a large lucrative
business. He was upright and honorable; just and fair in his dealings,
and his death was a public loss. There was a large funeral procession,
both white and black attending almost _en masse_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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