The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1842-12-17
The Bridal Eve.
BY HARRIET BOWLEs.
CHAPTER /.

CHAPTER l.
'What magnificent nuptial presento said
Mrs. Benton to her daughter, as, on enter
ing the chamber of the latter, at Saratoga,
they discovered costly diamond neck
lace, with perlumed note accompanying
1t, "Mr. Wallingrord is indeed all that is
generous and noblen'
The daughters cheek became tinged
with crimson, though smile rose to her
lip as she contemplated her lovers costly
gift. At that moment her heat was torn
by con.ending emotions; but alas she
knew that she could find no sympathy in
her distress from her parent.
Mrs. Benton was widow, with no
child but her beautiful daughter. Aspiring,
vain, and mercenary, she resolved that Is
abel should make a brilliant mat CHI, and
for this purpose the mother had brought
her daughter to the springs, where her
loneliness soon rendered Miss Benton the
belle of the season. Her charms had con-
qdered among others the millionaire of
the year, middle aged retired merchant;
and, in obedience to her mothers explicit
commands, was, OH the ensuing day, TO
become the bride Of Mr., Wallpsford,
But Isabel, though feeling it to be her
duty to obey her parent, could not submit
to this doom without many and painful
struggles. A year before she had met and
loved young painter, when on visit to
a friend in the country; and though they
had not met for many months, his memory
was still fresh in her heart, and she felt
that though she might wed the wealthy
Mr.. Wallingford, she could never give him
the affection she had already bestowed on
the poor artist. As the day appointed for
her union approached, her feelings became
more and more acute, until now she
could have flung herself at her mothers
feet anil begged to be released from her
engagement, only that she knew her pa
rent would prove memorable.
"Alasn' thought Isabel, as her mother
left the apartment, 'lhere is no escape for
me from this hateful alliance. And yet
Mr.. Wallinglord is all that is noble and
generous-yet-yet cannot love him
Oh! Henry" she exclaimed, apostrophi-
zing her absent lover, "would that you
were here But what do say2 For
months he has not written to me, and
aas cannot conceal from myself that
am forgotten. No, it is sinful in me thus
to think Of one who has deserted me. Oh.
that ever he could forget those dear, dear
moments when we walked together under
the old avenue, while the moon simmer
ed down through the leaves, and our
boo hoo with tha ,,r oil
: nature around us. Oh! Henry, dear
Henry" and she clasped her hands, "lta1
$ ever you should forget those hours"
5 "Nor have forgotlent them, dear Isa-
belp' exclaimed voice beside her tina
> thrilled every nerve with ecstacy, and
looking around she perceived her lover
VIZ i.~L an.oroh Two l;'ila pnrlnr nnpercei
we'd.
We will not describe the Thousand
things tina. were said at this meeting
Suffice it to say, they were like all lovers
protestations. But the explanation Of
Henry must be laid before our readers
, though in more succinct, and less broker
, manner, than he gave it. His tale, howe
yer, even as told by himself, was short
. He had written, according to promise, t,
Isabel, but received no answer. Agar
and again he had written, but always witt
the like success, until at length his prid
forbade him to write again. But his love
had survived Notwithstanding the apparen
GOODNESS of Isabel, and having incidental,
heard that she was at the Springs, he hat
resolved to see her, and learn the worst.
!. "Then it was your mother that inter
r cepted your letters" said Henry, whel
. Isabel had, in turn, narrated her story
: sand this marriage-oh! Isabel, dear lsabe
can you sacrifice yourscllp'
What need to tell the result Low
ever triumphs, and it was arranged thai
!, that night, Isabel should elope with he
- lover.
CHAPTER ii.
IT was between the hours of two an
:, three o'clock on the same night, tina. lisa
' bel, who could not think of sleeping, stol