The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-07-04

d" parting breath, he pronounced bless
ing upon Julia as his daugLtcr--the wife of
has son-most solemnly repeating his con-
viciion that she would soon secure the heart
of her husband
Immediately on the decease of her friend
and father, Jhliu returned home, aud in
three months Frederic followed her to full
nj his promisc. He was wretched, aud
would have given a world, had he possessed
At, TO be free from his engagement. But
tina, could never be. His word had been
given to Iis father, and must be religiously
redeemed. 81 will make her my wife"
thought he; 81 promised my father that
would. Thank heaven, never promised
that | would love her ~ Repugnant as such
an union vas 10 his feelings, he was really
impatient TO have it completed for as his
duty and obligation went not beyond the
bare act Of making her his wife, he lclt tlnt
once done, he shonld be comparatively free
man.
E" am come," said he to Julia, ito fnl.
fl my engagement. VIII you name 4 day
for the ceremony 2" ......
His countenance was so gloomy his
manners so cold--ut,erly destitute of ten-
derncss or kindly fceling,'that something
like terror seized Julia's heart; aud with
out making any reply, she burst into tears.
"Why these tears, Miss Horton ~ said
he. "Our mutual promise was given TO
my father; il is lit we redeem it,"
No particular time was specified" said
Julia tmidly, aud with falterng voice.
f" Is so much haste necessary 7"
My father wished that no unnecessary
delay should be made" said Frederic,
u" and | can see no reason why we should
moi as well be married now, rs Mt any I'd
ture period. lfyou consult my wishes, you
will name an early day" t
The day was fixed, and at length arrived
presenting the singular anomaly of u man
eagerly Fastening to the altar, to utter
VOWS from which his heart rccoiicd, and
woman going TO it with trembling and re-
luctance, though abou, to be united to him
who possessed her undivided affections.
The wedding ceremony over, Mr.. West
bury Immediately took his bride to his ele-
gantly furnished house; throw it open for a
week to receive bridal visitors; and then
gladly obeyed "A summons to New York, to
attend 10 some affairs of Importance. On
leaving home, he felt ms if released from
bondage. A sense Of property had con-
strained him to receive congratulations that
congcaed his heart, by bringing to mind
the ties he had formed with one he could
not love, to the impossibiity of his forming
them with one whom he idolized. When
he hal been absent ten days, he nvailcd
himself of an opportunity 10 send verbal
message 10 his wife, informing her that he !
was well, and shouI ID probably be at home
in the course Of two weeks but when that
period was drawing toward close, his busi-
ness was not completed, aud as home was tho
asst place hc wished to visit, he resolved to
protract his absence, 50 long rs he had a
reasonable excuse. I" must write, aud in
rorm her ofthe change in my pIan," thought
he decency demands it, yet how car |
" rite 7 Ny dear Julia my dear wife
No such lhipg--she is not dear to me
"Ce cUur an mons, diilice domer,
Ne peut aimer nj par ordre dun pore
Nj par raison."
She is my wfe-she is Mrs. Wcstbury--
she is mistress Of my house, and must share
my fortunc--let that suffice her 1t must
have been for these that she married me- A
name fortune, an elegant establishment
Mean ambitious hcarlless Thou Ma +
beautiful, aud tender-thou /
wouldst have ,narrod me for myself! Alas. .
I am undone Oh, my father" Under .
the influence of feelings like these, he wrote .
the laconic cpis,lc which cost his bride so
nany tears.
1t was OF the close Of about two weeks
from this, that julia was sitting one even
ing in her parlor, dividing the time between
her work aud book, when the door bell .
rang, aud a minute after the parlor door
opened, and Mr. Wes,bury entered. With
sparkling eyes and glowing checks, she .
sprang forward, her hand half extended to 7
meet his--but hIs cercmonous bow, and
cold "eood evening, Mrs. Wsstbuy," re-
called her recollection; and scarcely able |
to reply to his ciyility, she sank back on
her chair. She thought she was prepared (
to sec him cold and dlstnnt---lhongh she .
expected it-but she had deceived herself. .
Notwithstanding all her bitter ruminalions
on her husbands Indifference towards her,
there had been little under current Of hope !
playing at the bottom Of her heart, aud tell
ing her he might return mnSc cordial than
he wont--Ilis cold snutatloo, and colder
rye, sent her to her seat, disappointed, sick
nt the heart, and nearly fainting. In
minute, however, she recovered her self |
and madc those inquiries con-
:erning his hoalll, and journey, that pro-
Drieiy dictated. In spite Of himself, she
iuccecded in some degree in drawing him
,ut. She was gentle, modest. aud unob-
rusiye--and good sense and propriefy
we're conspicuous in all she said. Beside,
'he looked very pretty. Her figure, though
-atber below the medium size, was very finc
per hand and foot of unriyalled beauty. She
was dressed with great simplicity, but good