Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1843-03-02

FTom ihe L.dit.' World u EaaAie,..
THE BRIDAL EVE.
IT MANIFEST BOWLS.

std 1T HARRIHT B0wLEs. u
u, tWhai magnificent nuptial present T.
exclaimed Mrs. Benton to her daughter,
on entering the chamber Of the latter. at
Saratoga. they discovered costly neck
lace, with perfumed note accompanying
il. mr.. Wsllingiord is indeed all that is
generous and NOBLE -
The daughters cheek became tinged
with crimson. though smile rose to her
lips a. she contemplated her lovers cost
" gift. Al thst moment her heart was
torn by contending emotions !; but alas
she knew that she could ind no sympa-
thy 10 her distress from her parent.
Mrs, Benton was widow, With no
child but her beautiful daughter. Aspir.
ing, vain and mercenary, she resolved
that Isabel should make brilliant match,
and for this purpose her mother bad
brought her daughter TO the Springs where
her togslihess rendered Miss Benton the
belle ofihe season. Her charmshad con-
quered among others the millionaire Of
the year. middle-aged retired merchant:
and shs 10 obedience to her mothers ex-
plicit commands, was on the ensuing day,
10 become the bride Of Mr.. Wallingford.
But Isabel, though feeling il to be hel
duty to obey her parent, could not submit
to this doom Without many and painful
struggles, a year before she had me-
and loved Young painter, when on q
visit 10 afriend 10 the country; and though
they had not met for many months, BIZ,
memory was still fresh in her heart. ant
she felt that though she might wed the
wealthy Mr.. WallingfoTd. she could ne,
yer give. him The affection she had alrea.
dy bestowed on the poor artist. AS the
day appointed for her union approached,
her feelings became more and n ore acute,
until e could have flung herself
! q, be- Is feet and begged to be
relies 4 engagement. only that
/ she 4 parent would provo mex
'Alas' thought Isabel as her mother
left the apartments. there is no escape for
me from this hated alliance. And yet
Mr.: .Wallingfofd is all that is noble and
generous--yet--I cannot love. Oh Hen.
~ 4 she exclaimed, apos,rophising her
absent lover, would that you were here
But what do Isayl For months he be,
not written 10 me. and alas IL canno
conceal from myself that am forgotten
No, it is sinful in me thus 10 think Of one
who has deserted me. Obi that he could
exer forget these dear. dear moment.
when we walked together under the old
avenue, while the moon glimmered down
through the leaves. and our hearts beat in
unison with the music OF all nature around
~. Oil Henry, dear Henry and she
claaped her hands. that ever you should
forget those hours
Nor have 4 forgotten them, dear lisa.
BEL exclaimed voice beside her, iha
thrilled. every nerve with ecstacy. and
looking around she perceived her lover
who had entered the little parlor upper
eeiyed.
( We will not describe the thousand thing
that were said at this meeting. Suffice i
TO say they werefke ell lovers protesta
T tons. But the explanation Of Henri.
must So laid before our readers, though il
. more succinct and less broken mamie
than he gavsit. His tale,l however. ever
% told by himself, was short. He ha'
written according 10 promise to Isabel. Su
received no answer. Again and agar
he had written, but always with the lik,
success. until at length bis pride forbade
him to write again. But bis love had sur
vivsd Notwithstanding The apparent cold
ness Of Isabel. and having accidentally
heard that she was at the Springs. be bad
resolved 10 see her and learn the worst.
Then II was your mother that inter
eeptsd your letters said Henry, whsr
Isabel had, in turns narrated her story
and this marriage-oh! Isabei; dear Isa
bel. can you sacrifice yourselfl'
Why need We tell the result. Love
ever triumphs. II was arranged that. tina
niPht, Isabel should elope with her lover
II was between the hours Of two ant
three o'clock on the same night. that lisa
bel who could not think of sleeping, stol
into the little private parlOr that was I'D
Joining 10 the chamber Of her mother. an'
not Ter from the apartment occupied p
Mr.. Walhneford. The position Of thl
parlor rendered it one from which noe
snrnal flight was not only possible bu
easy, for IL this parlor there was window
out Of which you couldlwith ease step IN:
the garden, and at the end Of that gardel
was one Of the leading streets OF tn
town.
Isabel was seated 1t q table on whlcl
there was ! small lamp and Tiny watch
The hands Iof that tiny watch seemed I
her TO be almost fixed, or to move as
nothing could induce them to 90 on /
the hours Of appointment. At6rst Isabs
awaited the hour Of rendezvous wilhou
hesitation. and without iremblings b.
when il was approaching to The hour e
z the signal given with her lover. her dut
70 her parent occurred TO her. and Sd
kssilaled. Affection fof her mother.
Nn. Benton was still her mother-strul
elsd long with her promise to her love
AZ length she siid;-