The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1843-11-17

3
other were full of confidence, gratitude and
OVERLOOKING affection. And when the
daughter drew forth the Oh worn Bible, !
and read a chapter in her sllvery voice,
while The fl,ber followed in prayer that
was at times choked by his emotion, there
was not in all broad Scotland, swee,er or
more soul subduiog sight than that. loNly
cot presented.
CHAPTER III.
Although Jeanne was a girl Of strong
mind the sacrifice which she contemplated
was not to be effected without many inward
struggles. But having made up her mind
10 What she considered her duty, she allow
ed no personal feelings 10 swerVe her from
the strict liue she had laid down for herself
wherein to walk. Daily did she seek in
her prayer for aid and never did she al.
low her parent to hear murmur from be'
lips. Yet, lei her strive as she would the
memory Of hor lover would constantly re-
cur to her mind. Al the gloomy hour, IN
the still watches OF The nightly the in
Clio side, abroad in the fields, or 10 the kirk
Of God--on Sabbath or week day-wbeu
listening to her aged slre's voice, or sli-
ting all alone ia her little chamber, The
image Of him she had loved would rise up
before her, d.flusing a gentle melancholy
over her heart, and seeming, for the mo
mont, 10 ruiso an impossible barrier be.
lwixl her and the fuliilment Of her new
vogs--lor those VOWS had already been TO
ken, and the evening which gas 10 make
her ano;her's was only postponed until The
intended brldegroom--a siaid farmer Of the
border--could make thu necessary prepar
atoms in bis homestead, necessary TO fit il
for new mistress, and she the sweetes,
flower Of the district.
We are telling no romantic tale, drawn
from The oxiraYag4n; fancy Of novelist,
bot sober reality.
There are hundreds. all over this broad
realm, who are even now sacrificing them.
selves like Jeanie. Aye 10 many owly
cottage, untecked Of and uncared for By
the world, wiiher away in secret sorrow-
beings who, bad their lot been cast IN hap
pier places, would have been the brightest
and most Joyous Of creatures. How many
has want driven unwilling brides, 10 the
nupual altar Who can tell the sacrifice
woman will no, mako TO affection, although
that sacrifice may tear her hearts fbres
asundor And thus Jeanne acted. Al
though she received the attentions Of her
future husband with SMILE there was a
strange, unnatural meaning, in It's cold
moonlight expression. Even while he talk
ed TO her, her thoughts would wander away
aud she would only be awakened by some
sudden ejaculation &C his at percevlng her
want OF attention. He knew her history
but had been one OF hor earlies, lovers, and
he nauered himself that che had long since
forgotten the absent; and, although at
times her demeanor would, for moment,
make him suspect tho truth, yet convic
ton so hide 10 unIslon with his wishes, led
him instantly to discard 1t. Aud Jeanne,
meanwhile continued struggling With her
old auaehu,eHt, until her health began to
give way beneath the couilict. She scarce
" seemed to dcclne-at least to eyes that
saw her duily-but yet her neighbors
marked the change. In thel beautiful
words Of the ballad,
her check It grew pale,
And she droopd like lily broke down. blythe hail.
The morning Of her wedding day SOW
her Us beautiful as ever, but with how
touching, how sweet an expression Of coun-
tenauce2 As she proceeded 10 the kirk,
her exquisite loneliness attracted every eye,
and her air Of chastened sadness drew tears
from more than one spectator acquainted
with her history. The bridegroom stood
smiling TO receive his lovely prize the
minister had already begun the service,
and Jeaule's heart beat faster and faster
as the moment approached which was for
ever after 10 make all thoughts OF Willie
siaful, when suddenly the rafting Of rapid
wheels was heard without, and lnstan,ane.
ously chsse stopped at the kirk door,
and single tall form leaping from the We.
hcle strobe rapidly up the aisle at the We.
I ~ moment that the minister asked the sol /
emn question, if any one knew aught why .
I tho ceremony should not be finished.
"Av," answered the voice Of the lntru.
dor and, as he spoke, he threw off the mil |
( itary cloak he wore and disclosed 10 the
as,onlshed eyes of the spectators tho fea.
tures-scarred and sun burnt bu, sill the
traturcs-of the absent shepherd, cay
stand here, by Gods good aid, to claim
the maiden by right Of prior be.rothal.-
| am Wilham Sanford"
Had a thunderbol, fallen from heaven, or
spirit risen from the dead, the audience
would not have been more astonished than
by this denouement. All eagerly crowded
around the intruder, gazing on his face as
the Jews OF old looked on the risen Laza
rus. Doubt, wonder, conviction, enthusi
asm followed each other in quick success
sion through the minds Of the SPECTATORS
But the long absent lover, pushing aside
the friends who thronged around him, strobe
up to Jeanle's side, and, clasplng her in