The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-10-26

sunset cloud upon the clear waters Of a lake.
Her lover, as be ciasped her hand within his
own, qszed on her for moment with unmin-
gled admiration, and the warm eloquent blood
Swallowed at intervals his manly forehead, and
melted into beauty on his lips
And they gave themselves to one another
In the presence Of heaven, and every heart
blessed them as they went their way rejoicing
in their love.
Years passed on. and | again saw these
lovers. They were seated together where the
light of summers sunset stole through the
half closed and crimson curtain, lending
richer tint TO the carpeting, and the exquisite
embellishments of the rich and gorgeous
apartment. Time had slightly changed them
in outward appearance. The girlish buoyan-
cy OF the one had indeed given place to the
grace OF perfect womanhood. and her lip was
somewhat paler, and faint line of care was
perceptible on her brow. Her husbands brow,
too, was marked somewhat more deeply than
his age might warrant anxiety, ambition and
pride had grown over, and left their traces up
on il !; a silver hue was mingled with the dark
Of his hair, which had become thin around his
temples, almost to badness. He was reclin-
ing on splendid ottoman, with his face half
hidden by his hand, as II he feared that the
deep and troubled thoughts which oppressed
him were visible upon his features.
/" Edward you are Ill tonight" said his
wife in low, sweet, half-inquiring voice, as
she laid her hands upon his own.
Indifference from those we love is terrible
to the sensible bosom. ID is as if the sun OF
heaven refused its wonted cheerfuness, and
glared upon us with cold, dim and forbdding
glance. II is dreadful to feel that the only
being Of our love refuses to ask our sympathy
that he broods over the feelings which he
scorns or fears to reveal--dreadful TO watch
the convulsive features and gloomy brow
the indefinable shadows Of hidden emotions
the involuntary sigh Of sorrows in which
we are forbidden to participate, whose cha
racter we cannot know.
The wife essayed once more. Edward"
said she slowly, mildly and afectionately,
"ihe time has been when you were willing to
conlide your secret joys and sorrows to one,
who has never, trust. betrayed your conf
dence. Why then, my dear Edward, is this
cruel reserve? You are troubled and refuse
TO tell me the cause"
Something Of returning tenderness soften
ed FOR an instant the cold severity Of the hns-
bands features, but it passed away and bit
ter smile was his only reply.
Time passed on, and the twain were sepa-
rated from each other. The husband sat
gloomy and alone in the damp cell Of dun
geon. He had mingled with men whom his
heart loathed, he had sought the wronged
spirits of his land, and had breathed into them
the madness of revenge He had drawn his
sword against his country; he had famed re-
bellion into flame, and it had been quenched
in human blood He had fallen and was
doomed to die the death Of traitor.
The door 0. the dungeon opened, and
light form entered aud threw herself into his
arms The softcned light Of sunset fell upon
the pale brow and wasted cheek OF his once
beautiful wife.
Edward--my dear Edward" said she,
81 have come to save you; have reached
YOU after thousand difficulties and l thank
God my purpose is nearly executed
Misfortune had softened the proud heart of
manhood, and as the husband pressed his
pale wife to his bosom, tear trembled on his
eyelash. :" | have not merited this kindness"
he murmured, in the choked tones of agony
Edward" said his wife in an earnest, but
faint and low voice, which indicated extreme
and fearful debility, we have not moment to
lose BY an exchange Of garments you will
be able to pass out unnoticcd. Haste or we
may be too late. Fear nothing for me. | am
woman, and they will not injure me for an
effort in behalf Of husband dearer than life
itself"
:" But, Margaret" said her husband, "you
look sadly ill. You cannot breathe the air of
this dreadful cell'
"Oh, speak not Of me- my dearest Ed
ward" said the devoted woman, g can en-
dure anything for your sake. Haste, Ed
ward, haste, and all will be WE'LL" and she
aided, with trembling hand, to disguise the
proud form Of her husband in the female
garb.
Farewell, my love, my preserver," whis-
pered the husband in the ear of the disguised
wife, as the officer sternly reminded the sup
posed LAZY the time allotted to her visit had
expired " Farewell! we shall meet again."
responded his wfe-and the husband passed
out unsupported, and escaped the enemies Of
his life.
They did meet again-the wife and the
husband but only as the dead may in the
awful communion of another world Alice
ton had borne up her exhausted spirit until
the last purpose of her exertion was accom-
pished in the safety of her husband and
when the bell tolled on the morrow, and the
prisoners cell was opened, the guards found
wrapped in the habiments of their destined
victim, the pale bu, beautiful corpse Of the de-
voted wife.
THE LIFE BEYOND THE GRAVE.