PAR OT TMf A TT
4 I
A;4ci' 11, Volume 17.
EDITOR AXD PROPRIETOR.
SALISBURY, NORTIf-ChlROLLVA, CCSv SATUiiDAY,- AUGVSST ,20, 1336.
1 JtlJiii
vv i
SELSCT TALE.
FUOM TIIE feOt'THEn.V LITEKARV 3:E.S.-i;.Nf;i:K.
I.OSLVG AXD WINNING.
Jiy the author cf the "Collate i.i the G7ex," " Sc7isi
bility," $
Think not, the husband gained, that all is done ;
The j rize of happiness mut still be won ;
And, oft, the careless rind it to their cott,
The lover in the husband may be lost;
The graces might, alo:ie, h:s heart allure
They are the virtues, meeting iau;t secure.
Jjijrd Littleton.
Can I not win his love!
Is not his heart of penetrable atuh'
Will not tiu'j:n:ssio:i, meekness, patience, truth,
"Wm hia esteem ! a sole de&ire to please,
CoiKjuer inditlerence ? they inu.t they will !
Aid me, land heaven I'll try ! Anon.
It was a bright and beautiful autumnal evening.
The earth was clad in a garb of the richest and
brightest hues ; and tlie cerulean of the heavens,
gave place, near the setting sun, to a glowing saf
fron color,' over which was hung a most magnifi
cent drapery of crimson clouds. Farther towards
both the north and south, was suspended here and
there a sable curtain, Iringed with gold, fuIJed as
but one hand could fold them. They scented fit
ting drapery to shroud the feet of Him, who " ma-lit-th
the clouds his chariot, who ridetli upc-n tlie
wings of tho wind."
Such was the evening on which Iviward Cun
n'mgliam conducted his fair bride into the mansion
prepared lor their reception. 'Jut h id both earth j
and heaven been decked w ith ten-told spiendoi , t.'ieir
neauly and magmticence would nave been lost on
him ; lor his thoughts, his affections, his whole be
ing were centered in the graceful creature that lean
ed to his arm, and whom he again and again wel
comed to her new abode her future home. He
forgot that he ti!l moved in a world thaf was groan
ing under the pressure of unnumbered evil-;; for
got that earthly joy is oU-times but a dream, a lan- j
tasy that vanishes lite the shadow ot a summer but from her infancy he had seen her from time to
cloud, that thts across tiie landscape, or, as the mor- time, as business led biui into that part ot the eo;m
niil'T vanor before the risill!' Mtll : foP'Ot that all on ,trv in which her m rent 4 rrsid'.vl. Ill h'T child-
thi4 side heaven is fleeting, and changeable, and j
false. In his bride, the ohiect of his 1 jnde.-t love. !
he feit that h possessed a treasure who.se smile
Would be unclouded sunhine to his seul ; whose so-
ciety would make another Fden b!ot-m tor him. !
It was but six short months since he first saw her
who was n w his wife ; and nearly that entire peri
od he had been in the delirium of love,' intent on
Jy on securing her as his own. He bad attained
his object, and life scernd spread before him, a p:r-
ad-seot delight, bloomm- with roi't unaecoir.pa
nied by tli rus. j
Joy and sorrow, in this world, dwell side by side, -
In a stately mansion, two doors only from the one
that hud just received the joyful bridegroom and
happy bride, dwelt one who had Ix-en lor weeks a
wife. On that same bright evening -Is-? was silting
in the solitude of her richly furnished chamber, her
elbows resting on a table, her hands supporting her
-head, while a letter lay spread U fore her, oa which
her eyes, blinded by tears, were rivetted. The let
ter was from her husband. He had been from
home nearlv three weeks, in which time she had
heard from him but once, and then only by a brief
verbal message. The letter that lay before her j
had iust arrived ; it was the first she had ever re
ceivel from her husband, and ran thus:
Mrs. IVt-stbur:;: Thinking vou mighi possibly
expect to see me at home this week, I write to in
..... -t
form ou tint business will detain me in New York J
some time longer.
Y ur-:, vtc
FREDERIC WE.STiJIJUY.
For a long time the gentle, the feeling Juli i, in
u!g!d her tears and her grief without restraint.
Again, and again, she read the laconic epistle be
fore her, to ascertain what more might b made of
it than at first mot the eye. Hut nothing could be
clothed in plainer language, or be more easily un
derstood. It was as brief, and as much to the point
as those interesting letters which debtors sometimes
receive from their creditors, through the agency
of an attorney. " Did ever youthful bride," thought
she. ' receive from her husbmd such a letter as
ten to mv reasons, rather than to mv fond and too
lish heart, and resist the kind old man's re isonmgs
and pleadings ? Why did I bel eve him when he
told me I should win his sou's aiTections? .ad I
not know that his heart was given to another ?
Dear old man, he fondly believed his Frederic's
affections could nut bong be withheld from en ; whom
h? himself loved so tenderly and ho-v eagerly I
drank in his assurances! Amid rdl the sorrow
!lhat I felt, while kneeling at his dying bed, how did
mv heart swelled with u:uh finable pleasure, as be
laid his hand, already chilled by death, upon my
head, gave mo his parting blessing, ar.d said that
his son would love me! Mistaken assurance! ah,
why did I fondly trust it? Weie I now free!
fr would I then have the knot united that makes
me his for life ! Not for a world like this! No he
is mine and I am his; by the laws of God and
man, ire arc one'. He must sometimes bo at home ;
and an occasioal hour in his society, w ill be a dear
er bliss than ought this world can bestow beside.
His father's blessing is still warm at my heart! I
still feel his hand on my head ! Let me act as he
trusted I should act, and all may yet be well ! Du
ties are mine and thine, heavenly Fattier, arc re
sults. Overlook my infirmities, forgive all that
needs forgiveness, sustain my weakness, and guide
me by thine unerring wisdom." She fill on h?r
knees' to continue her supplication, and pour out her
full soul before her Father in heaven; and when
she arose, her heart, if not happy, was calm ; kcr
brow, iftiot cheerful, was serene.
Frederic Westbury w as an only child- He nev
er enjoyed the advantages of maternal instruction,
impressed on th heart by maternal tenderness
fit his mother died buiWhe was three years old,
I
'.lot" lie sfrirr.t to show me the comnl.'te mdit- i.-pI mo'e tier he-irt hro! witli ioy. and her' ... : - ce.:.. . ,t.,. u
t t ' - .i . - wnic.n u epr:.'5S'ja eveiv iren; m hut ,i-.tli
ference and coldness of his heart towards me. -) - j f;1ith in his father's insurance that she would win ! y,.u vj,.. Westburv first e:,tei ; t the parhr, a i
why did I accept his hand, which was rather his hi, afctj.v,s sustai ie.l her hope, that his predic- I o!; r mi -'nt have'prono.iuced he: lKMUtifi.1 ; hut
father's otring than his own ? W by did I not lis- ' ..or, Would be verified. Yet when she marked the t. u-.rUt ,P.,nr.t inv th-.i th.-n km 'led
and all recollection of her had faded from his mem-
ory. Judge Westbury was one of the most amia-
Sit-, one -f the best of "men ; but with regard to the
minaetrent of his son, tie wls too mich like the
venerable Israehtiah priest. His son, like other
.... . . . i f . .
son:, often did that which was wrong, 'and he re -
strained him not.' II was neither negligent in
teaching nor in warning ; but instruction and disci-
phne did not, as they ever should d , go hid-in
hand; and from want of this discipline, Frederic
-1
was great, and he looked down with contempt on
all that was dishonorable or vicious. He had chi-
valrous generosity, and a frankness of disposition J
that lead him to detest concealment or deceit. He i
loved or hated with his whole soul. In person he.
grew up with passion uncontrolled with a win uu-1 i tie nay wan tixt-a, ami at length arnveil prsent
subdued, lie received a finished education, and ; ing the singular anomaly of a man eagerly hasten
his mind which was of a high order, was richly . ing to the altar, to utter vows from which his heart
stored with knowledge.' His pride of character recoiled, an I a woman goi ig to it with trembling
I was elegant; his countenance was marked with high j visits ; and then gladly obeyed a summons to New j ing for her, and jut casting his eyes over her per
j intellect and strong feeling; and he li:id the bearing York, to attend to some afihirsof import nice. On j son, be, said "If you are readv, Mrs. Wcstkarv.
of a prince. Such was l iedenc Westbury at the
a -'a of fuur-and-tucnty. j
About a vear be lore his marriage, Frederic lc- j Sf,"-' '"e attention to His bii'le, and to recive I'i. j arrtve.j at tlie mansion opened tor their reception,
came acquainted with .Maria Kldon, a young lady , congratulations .f his friends with an air f sads- and it was not cpiite easy to get access to the lady
of great beauty of person, and fisci natton of man-', fiction, at lea-: ; w hi!,: t'u-e v ry co lra'u! ttioas ' ,f tae house, to make their compliments. This
ner" who at once endued his affections. (Jjt ; congealed his heart, by bringing to mind tiie tics jmjiortai.t duty, however, was at length happily
against Mis? Kldon, Judge Westbury had couceiv- ; jo had form I witli o.; he could u A love, t t!i I aco-npiished, and .Mr. Westburv's next eff )rt was
ed a predjudicc, and for once in his "life was obr.i. impossibility of his forming them with fie ..:o j to obtain a seat f r his w die. Sho would have pre
nalc in refusin"- to indulge liissou in the wishes of wh.in he idolize J. Vhen lie had bee i au.-ent j ferred retaining his arm, at least for a while, as few
his heart. He foresaw, or thou-dit he did so, the
utter rum of that son s happiness, should n; s. al.y '
himself. He had sel.-cted a wife lor his son, a
daughter-in-law for himself, more to
himself, more to his own taste.
-s.s-ed of ail that he thou ht
Juh.i Horton was po
valuable or tasrinatiii'T in women. I'.v
:b!v Fi
led-
eric miht have theu-ht so too, had he known her, 1
ere his heart was in posseision of aut thet ; but be- . se:K-e, s long as lie had a icasoaable excuse. i j Jnli i had been seated but a short time before Mr.
ing pointed out to him as the one to whom lu must mst write, and inlhrm tier of tin- change m my j and Mrs. Cunningham approached her, and enter
transfer his affections he look on her with aversion dan," th aight he ".U-cmcy deirands it, rt h...v ( ed into lively conversation. This was a great re
as the chief obstacle to the realization of his wih- r!l 1 w ri'" ? My dear Julia! my dear wife! lief to Julia, who c.uld have wept at her'solatary
es. Julia was born, and had been educated, in a , " il-c'- thing s!ie is n t dear to me! and neglect vl situation, alone, in the midst of "a
place remote from Judge Westburv's residence;
,.;, , ilC entwmed i.crselfan.imd the heart f the
T.-i0 mid Cmm tint r,or;,.d I,.. ,.,d i.linl i.n tmr rw
the future wife of his son. fits views and wishes,
however, were strii tlv coufai' d tc his own bread,
until to his tlismav, he found that his sou's aiil-ctions
were entangled. This d;sco cry was no s m.ier
made thnn In; wrnte a nres'-in" letter to Jwii i.wh
was trnv an orphan, to n:no an I m ike him a vis-
it of a Sew week. The reason lie auvc tor m;i-
tinrr ber was. that his health was re.uidiv decli.im-.
(wiiich vas indeed Ion true.) and b- felt iii.it her
society would lie a solace to his heart. Juria i nmr j
she saw Frederic ; heard his enlightened co-.-er-
jsation; observed his polished maimers; rem. irked
,c h-fty to!ie of his feriings; and giving the inns
to her fancy, without consulting rca-mmr prudence,
she loved him. loo late for her seunt, but too
soon f r her peace, she learned that iie loved anoth
er. Dreading ient she should betray l.er folly to the
object of her uusoug it ail" cti n, she wished im
mediately to return to her native place. H it to
this Judge Westbury would not listen, lie s ton
discovered the taste of her feelirgs, anil it gave
lltn unmingled sahsf icti-m. It augured we'll for
the success of his dearest earthe'y hopr ; a a I as
his ctrengt'i was rapidly declmi.ag, consumption
h iving fastened iinr dc idly laugs upon him, to ha
ten htai ti tiie grave, he give his w
;e
:d to
the accouiplish.ne.it of his d 's g . At fir-t ids so i
listened to the subject with undisguised impair' i: ;
but his feelings efiene 1 as lie saw hi father sin!
ing to the tomb ; and, in an uug irded hour, h; pro.
mis?d him that he would make Julia his wife
-. - . -.. . , , , , ... i
promise from Julia tnat sue would accept tue hand
oi ms son, uoti t'. ii-ji .i-.ii ih- ..
ly plighted their futh at his b'j d-s;d.. l. r red-r-ic
tiiis was a moment of unmingled misery. lie
saw that his father was dyiu. and felt himself con-
strained to promise hn innd to one woman, whiL
his heart was i l possessi m of another.
Jn
emotions were of th ; mod conHicting !
countenance of her future hu-hand, her heart sank
within her. She could not flatter herself into the
belief, that its irimmgleJ gloom aros- solely from
grief at the approaching de.it h. of his fit her. Sh
felt that he was making a sacrifice of his fondest
wishes at the shrine of filial duty.
Judge Westbury died ; and witli almost his part
in" breath, he pronounce I a blessing up ti Julia as
his daughter the wife of his son mo-t solemnly
....
repeating his conviction tuat she won. J soon se
cure the heart of her husband !
Immediately on the decease of her friend and fa
ther, Julia returned home, and in three months Fred,
f dlowed her tofulnl his promise. II . va-s wretched,
and would have given a world, hail he possessed it,
to be free from his engagement. Cut that could
nr-ver lie. His word haJ'been given to his father,
and mud !e religiously redeemed. " I will make
her mv wife," thought he ; " I promised my father
that I would. Thank heaven, I never promised
him that I would love her!" Repugnant as such
an union was to his feeling--, he was really impa
tient to have it completed ; for as his i lea of his
duty and obligation went not beyond the bare act of
making her his wile, he felt that, that once done,
he should he comparatively a free man.
" I am come," -aid he to Julia, " to fi llfi! my
en'Higemcnt. Will ycu name a day for the cere-
runny
His countenance was so gloomy, his manner so
cold so utterly destittute of tenderness or kirnllv
feeling, that something like terror seized Julia's
heart" and without making any reply, &v burst in
to tears.
41 Why these tears, ?iii3 Hortcn?" said he,-
character. 1 o ho tfte plignro i orm- ot me man .t;,vl rrhpr ,v; ,ilo f,ciilv an 1 truth wiih
J "Our mutual promise was given to my ftter ; it is
i (It we redeem it. '
j ' So particular time w,v : cjf-.ed," said Julia
timidly, and with a fullering voice. " Is so much
i haste necessary ?"
' ., f . .i
j " My tuther wished that no unnecessasry delay j
! should be made," s.ii-i Frederic, and I can see no!
j reason why we should nut as well be married now,
as at any future peri-k1. If u consult my wishes,
vo;i will name an early day."
t , - , .
and rehici.mce, though about to be united to him
who posesed her undivided aflcctio i.
Tho wedding ceremony over, Mr. West bury im-
mediately took his bride to his elegantly furnished
house; threw it open for a week, to receive bridal
i-avmg home, he iclt as it released troin bondage.
A sense ,.f propriety had constrained him to p.:y
ab'ut ten days, h ; ava.hl hrnwlt -d an on irtu.i:- '
l l,J sen-i a va- ,a. assiic i ins wne, mtornung j
her that he was well, and should probably b at ;
hom; m the corns- ot two weeks; bat wu-.-a tuat
'period was drawing toward a !se, his bu-n.ess j
w-:;s not enmplcte.J, and as home was the last plae
wisncd to vis t. i.e reso.M-d to prr.tr act 'us iio-
ci.ru r au raoins, !:nie !e I d.vntT,
Ne p. ut aimer ni par ordre 4'uu pere,
r.i p ir ru:oa.
Siie is mv wife s.he is Mrs. VvVstuurv she is
'itress id my house, and tnit share my ferttitjn
h;t that su.hce her ! It n:ud Uive been for these
that she mai,ri--d me. A name! a f.rtu.ie ! an c-le- I
::a t establishment! Mean! n motions! heartless ! j
Tie u, Mali a bright, beautiful, and tender tin u j
wouMet have marrie 1 me for mvrdf! Alas, 1 am
mi' .'one! O, mv faib'-r!"' Under the influence of
'ii'these, he wr te the laonic epi.tle whicii
!"s lr'i" ; "'' httler tears,
If UJ,S :it th" closy d ib-.ut tv. works from tl-.is,
that Jill 1 1 was bitting one cvei.hg in her parlor, di-
vnna;x lee fiu.ie hetwivt
ur vvorb und .1 I j.L- vt.nn
the i! ar-
bell
rar-g, an 1 a mr.-.ute utter theptrlof
and 'r. We-ibary entered. With
dour
open'
sp ir:i!i.ig eyes a
i ! gi o wing hecks, she sprang i'ir-
war
er iiau-
I jialf ext-v: led to meet bis but his
cm 'i.iouious IviW, and cold 4 1 eve:.i:!g Mr.-.
W. -thurv,"' reealied to her recoil-etion ; and scarce
ly able to reply to his c ivihty, she sank back on
li'T chair. t?iie th-m d she was prepared to see
him colt an 1 distant thought -lie expected it
but she had deceive." herself. rVot withstanding all
her bi.'ter ru-nun di. is on her hu-jband's i idiffeieuce
t...v.;rd her, there had bocn a lidle under current
i t" ls pe, playing at the b ttom of her heart, and
tel. hi.; h r he ni.jid return m re cordial than he
went. His e.,'d sahitatio.i, T.ud colder eye, si nt
!u;r t h"r seat, disr.ppointed, aick at heart, and
nearly finding. In u minute, lnwever, she reco
ver 'd lier e!f-possession, an-.l made those inquiries
concerning his health and journey, that propriety
diet ted. I.i spite of hms'ii, she succeeded
m
drawing him out. iShe was gentle, tnc-dest ;.nd
u i- htrusive and goad s-'-.s n i l propriety were
e.! jstucuotis i.i a I
' If
she
saiih Ik-s-des, -he looked
Her ligure, t!:ough r ther brd w the
-
was v rv fine, her hand and loot ot
tmrivaMed beauty. Mie was dressed with great
simplicity, but good taste whs h trayed i:i ever-,
thing abeut her person. She wore her dress, too,
with a peculiar grace, equally remote from precis
ion and ncli -e.K.!'. ilr features wrre regular,
j , comr.!exio;i deiicate: hut i he great -st at-
her cheek, h id f i.led away, and left her pale so
pale, that Mr. Westbury inquire .1, even with some
little appearance of interest, 14 whether her heu'th
was as good as usual ?"' Her voice, which was al
ways soft and mcl.Klious, was even softer and sweet
er than usual, as she ans-ered "that it was." .Mr.
Wesbury at length went so far as to make some
inquiries relative to her occupations during his ab
sence, whether she had called on tho new bride,
Mrs. Cunningham, and other questions of similar
c iiisequence. For the time he forgot Maria El
don ; was half unconscious that Julia was his wife
and viewing her only as a companion, he passed an
hour or two veryr comfortably.
One day when Mr. Westbury came into dinner,
Julia handed him a card of compliments from Mr.
and Mrs. Brooks, who were about giving a splen
did p irty.
1 have returned no answer," said Julia, 44 not
knowing whether you would wish to accept the in
vitation or not."
'For yourself, you can do as you ploase, Mrs.
Westbury but I 'shall certainly attend it."
"I am quite "indifferent about the party," said
Ju'ia, u as such scenes afiord me little pleasure;
but should h i pleased to do as you think proper
as you think best." Her voice trembled a little,
as siie spuhe; for she had not yet become sufficient
ly accustomed to Mr. West bury 's brusque manner
toward herself, to hear it with perfect firmness.
" I should think it very suitable that you pay Mr.
and Mrs. Brooks this attention," Mr. Westbury
replied.
.Nothing more Was ssid. ca the subject, arid Julia
returned an answ er agreeable to the wishes of her
husband.
The e-ening t visit Mr". Brocks at lengt'i ar
rived, and Julia repaired to her chamber to dress
for the occasion. To render herself pleasing in he
eyes of her husband w as tho sole w ish of her heart,
but hovV to do this was the question. She would
have driven the world to know his taste, his favorite
j colors, and other trifles of like nature hut of these
she was completely ignorant, and must therefore
be mil Jed bv her own f.mrv. " Simplicity," thought
she "simplicity is the surest way; for it never
di-gusts never offends, if it does not captivate."
Accordingly, she arrived herself in a plain white
! stain arid over her shoulders was thrown a white
j blond mantle, with an azure border, while a girdle
of the same hue encircled her waif. Her toilet
j co a pleted, Julia de-cended to the parlor, her shawl
land calash in her hand. Mr. West bury was wait-
! wt will go immediately, as it is now late." Most
j of the guests were already assembled w hen they
persons present were known n her, and she felt
some.vijat emoarrasse.l and contused; but she durst
not say so, as, from her husband's maimer, she saw
that he wished to lie free from such attendance.
in sueh matters the heart of a delicate and sensitive
w-oniati seldom deceives her. Is it that her in-
teiets are superior to those of men ?
crowd. Mrs. Cunningham was in fine spirits, and
her hu-bmd appeared the. happiest of the happy.
Not that he appeared particularly to enjoy society
but his blooming witb was by his side, and his
eyes rested on her w ith looks of the tenderest love
while the sound of her voice seemed consfantK
t.- aw ken a thrill t.f pleasure in his heart. After
conversing with Julia awhile, Mrs. Cunningham
said.
Do you prefer sitting to walking, Mrs. West
bury ? IVav take my arm, an 1 move nliout with
us a litt k it looks s j duil f ;r a person to sit through
a patty.''
Julia gladly accepted the offer, and was soon
drawn away from herself, in listening to the lively
dent of a low weeks-in tiie city, seemed already
acquainted w ith all the gentlemen, and half the la
dies present. A i hour had been passed in this
manner, and in partaking of the various refresh
ments that were provided to w hich Julia did little
honor, th'.agh this was of id consequence, as Mrs.
Cunningham a . ply made up all her detlciences of
this kind w!ien tiie sound of music in another
room attracted t heir attention. Ju'ia was extreme
ly fn l of music, and as their present situation,
amid the c.mfusi n of tongues, was very Uutavora
he tor its enjoyment, Mr. Cunningham proposed
that they should endeavor to make their way to the
music room. Afier considerable detention, they
succeeded in accomplishing their object, so far at
lead: as to get laiilv within the do r. Considering
tlie number of person-; present, and how few there
are that do not prefer the music of their own tongues
to any other melody, the room was remaikably
stiII"a compliment deserved by the young ladv
who sat to the piano, who played and sang with
great feeiing. Julia's atte-dion was soon attracted
to her hush ud, who was standing on the opposite
side of the room, Joining against the wall, his arms
folded across his breast, his eyes resting on the
performer with an expression cf warm admiration,
while a deep s!n ie of mclanchoh was cast over
his features. Julia's heart beat tumnlfiosjy. "Is
it the music,"' l bought she, "or musician that thus
rivets his nttcnlH n ? Would I knew who it is that
plavs and sings so sweetly !" She did not remain
long in doubt. Trie song f.nishtd, all voices were
warm in its praise.
" How delightfully Miss Eldon plays! and with
what feeling she sings!'' exclaimed Mrs. Cunning
ham. "I never listened o a sweeter voice!"
Tiie blood lushed to Julia's head, and back again
to iier heart, like a torrr.it ; a vertigo seized her;
and all the objects before her, were, for a moment,
an iii iisaucf, whirimg. But she did not faint; she
did not even betray her feelings, though she took
the first op'v.rtunitv to leave the room, and obtain
.. c..f,t. For a lo;e time she was unconscious of
ii rvn - "
all that was passing around her ; she could not even
txrAi she otdv left. Her husband's voice was the
fir-d thing that aroused her attention. He was
standing near her with another gentleman ; but it
was evident thrd neither of them were aware of her
proximity.
" airs. Brooks looks uncommonly well to-night,"
said Mr. Westburv's companion ; "her dress is pe
culiarly becoming."
"It" would bo," said Mr. Westbury, " were it
not fir blue ribbands; but I can think no lady looks
well who has any of that odious color about her."
" It is one of the most beautiful and delicate co
lors in the world," said the ether gentleman. " I
wonder at your taste."
"It does finely in its place," said Mr. YVesfoury
"that is in the heavens above our heads hut
never about the person of a lady."
Julia wished her mantle and her girdle in Afri
ca Yet whv V thought she. " I dare say he is
ignorant that I have any of the color he so much
dislikes, about me! His heart belongs to another,
and he cares not minds not, now she is clad whom
he calls w ife."
Mr. Westbury and his friend now moved to a
other pirt f the room, and it was as much a
Julia could do, to answer with piopriety the few
reaiarks that a passing acquaintance now and then
j made to her. At length the company began to dia
(perse, and presently Julia saw Mr. Westbury lead,
j '-'ci Lid i frca :hv. i -t. I Its head w5i ia-
dined toward her; a bright hectic spot was on bis
. cheek, and he was speaking to her in the soft ec
l tone, as tbey passed near where Julia was skiing,
v Miss Eldon's eyes Here raised to his face, while
tier countenance wore a mingled expression of pam
and pleasure. Julia had just time enough to re
mark all this, ere they left the room. "O, that I
were away!" thcught'she "that I were at home !
that I were in my grave!" She iat perfectly
still perfectly unconscious cf all that was going
forward, until Mr. Westbury came to her, inquir
ing " whether she meant to be the last to take
leave ?" Julia mechanically made her parting
compliments to Mrs. Brooks and scarcely knew
any thing till she arrived at her own door. Jat
touching her husband's hand, she sprung from the
carriage, and flew to her chamber. For a while
she walked the floor in an agony of feeling. The
constraint under w hich she bad labored, served bat
to increase the violence of her emotion, now tuat
she was free to indulge it. "O, w hy did I attend
this party?" at length thought she "O, what have
I not suffered !" After a w hile, however, her rea
sou began to operate. " What have I seen, that I
ought not to have expected ?" she asked herself.
"What have I learned that I knew not !efore?
except," she added, "a trilling fact concerning mv
husband's taste." Jula thought long and deeply ;
her spirits became calm ; she renewed former reso
lutiono ; looked to heaven tor wisdom to guide, and
strength to sustain her and casting aside the man
lie, which would henceforth be useless to her, she
instinctively threw a shawl over her shoulders to
conceal the unlucky, girdle, and, though the hour
was late, descended to the parlor. Mr. Westbury
was sitting by a table, leaning his head on his hand
It was not easy for Julia to address him on ar.y
subject not too exciting to her feelings and still
more difficult perfectly to command her voice, that
its tones might be those of ease and cheerfulness;
yet she succeeded in doing both. The question
she asked, led Mr. Westbury to look up and hft
was struck by the death-like paleness on her cheek.
Julia could by an eflort control her voice; she could
in a degree subdue her feelings; but she could not
command tlie expression of her countenance could
not bid the blood visit or recede from her cheeks
at her will. She knew not, indeed, that at this
time she was pale; her own face was the last thing
in her mind. Mr. Westbury had no sooner an
swered her question, than ho added "You had
better retire, Mrs. Westbury. You look as if the
fatigues of the evening had been too much tor you."
" Fiitiifucs of the evening ! AcTonics liOh-r,11
-m - ..miiwng nun ior ni3Kina
advice, she immediately retreated to her camber.
Until this evening, Mr. Westbury had scarcely
seen Miss Eldon since his marriage." He had avoi
ded seeing her, being conscious that she retained
her full pow er over his heart ; and his sense of recr
iitude forbade his indulging a passion for one wo
man, while the husband of another. Miss Eldon
supecsed this, and felt piqued at his power over
himself. Her heart flattered with satisfaction wnen
she saw him enter Mrs. Brooks's drawing room ;
and she resolved to ascertain whether her influence
over his afll-ctions were diminished. She w as mor.
tilled and chagrined, that even here he kept aloof
from her, giving her only a passing how, as he
walked to another part of the room. It nas with
unusual pleasure that she complied with a icqnest
to sit to the piano, for she well knew the power of
mus:c of' her oirn music ver his heart. Never
bet. ire had she touched the keys with so much in
terest. She did her best that best was pre-eneir.
ently good and she soon found that she iiad fix -d
the attention of him whom alone she cared to please.
After singing one or two modern songs, she be;'arj
one that she had learned at Mr. Westburv's rcq-.st
at the period when he used lo visit her almost dai
ly. It was Burns's " Ye banks and braes o'bounie
Doon," and was with hiu a great fivoritc. When
Miss Eldon came to the lines
" Thou mind'st me of departed joys.
Departed, never to return"
she raised her eyes to bis face, and in an instant
he forgot everv thing but herself. " Her ? apin .ess
is sacrilieed as well as my own," thought he ; and
leaning tits head against the wall of the room, ho
gave himself up, for tho time, to love and melan
choly. The song concluded, however, he regain
ed some control over his feelings, and still kert at
a distance from her ; nay conquered himself, so
tar as to repair to the drawing-nxim, to escape
from her dangerous vicinity. He saw her not
again until she was equipped for her departure -Then
she contrived to' get near hitn. and threw so
much sweetness and melancholy into her vo.ee, as
she said " good night, Mr. Westbury,' that i.e was
instantly disarmed and drawing her arm Within
his conducted her from the room.
" IInv," said he, in alow and tremulous tone,
" how, Maria, could you sing that so'ig, lo harrow
up my feelings ? Time was, when to be near tnee
to iisten to thee, was my felicity ; but now, duty
forbids that I indulge in the dangerous delight."
Miss Eldon replied not but raised her eyes tw
his face, while she repressed a half-drawn sigh. -Xot
another word was uttered until they exchang
ing " adieus' at her carriage door.
Two or three weeks passed away without the
occurrence of any incident colculated to excite pe
culiar uneasiness in the heart of Julia. True, her
husband was still the cold, the ceremonious, and oc
casional the abrupt Mr. Westbury; he passed
but little even of his leisure time at home; and she
had never met his eye when it expressed pleasure,
or even approbation. But he did riot grow more
cold more ceremonious ; the time he passed at
his own fireside, rather increased than diminished
and far all this she was thankful.
Her efforts to please were uaceasir g. I 'er house
as kept in pefect ord r, and every rhing wes d n
! a tim-, and well done. Good taste a : ' good
::i Igc ent were di-plaed in e very arrangement.
Her table was always spread iiUjgreit cace, ar.d-
I .
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