The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1843-01-19
.H7SCELL.f.SEOVS.
From TIE Ladys World Of FasiiOn for Sept.
THE BRIDAL EVE,
pT HARRIET BowLEs.
CHAPTER l.

.
" What magnificent nupiial present ~
exclaimed Mr. Benton to her daughter, as,
on entering the chamber Of the latter, al
Saratoga, they discovered a costly diamond
necklace, with perfumed note accompany.
rng it. Mr.. Wnlingford is indeed all tina,
IS generous and noble !"
The daughters cheek became !inred
with crimson, though smile rose 10 her
lip as she contemplated her lovers costly
gift. At that moment her heart was torn
by consending emotions; bu, alas she knew
iha, she could find no sympathy in her dis.
iress from her parent.
Mrs. Benton was a widow, with no child
but her beautiful daughter. Aspiring, vain,
and mercenary, she resolved that Isabel
should make brilliant match, and for this
purpose the mother had brought her daush
ter 10 the Springs. where her loneliness
soon rendered Miss Benton the belle of the
season. Her charms had conquered among
others, the Millionaire Of The year, a mid.
die aged, retired merchant; and, 10 obedi.
ence TO her mothers explicit, commands,
vas, on the ensuing day, 10 become the
bride Of Mr.. Wailingford.
But Isabel, though feeling it to be her du
" to obey her parent, could not submit to
this doom without many and painful s,rug.
gles A year before she had me, and loved
a young painter, when on a visi, to 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 MIR. Wallng.
ford, she could never give him the affection
she had already bestowed on the poor art
lst. Asthe day appointed for her union ap.
preached, her feelings became more and
more acute, Until now she could have flung
herself al her mothers feet, and begged to
be released from her engagement, only that
she knew her parent would prove inexora
BILE.
Alas J" thought Isabel, as her mother
ett the apartment, "ihere Is no escape for
me from this hateful alliance. And vet
Mr.. " alllngford IS all that is noble and gen.
erous--yet-yet | cannot love him. Oh
Henry" she exclaimed, apostrophizing her
absent lover, "would that you we're here.
But what DO | say? For months he has no,
written TO me, and alas cannot conceal
from myself that | an forgotten. No, il is
sinful IN me thus TO think Of one who has
deserted me. Oh! that ever he could for
get those dear, dear moments when we
walked together under the old avenue, while
The moon simmered down through the
leaves, and our hearts beat in unison with
The music Of all nature around US. Oh
Henry, dear Henry" and she clasped her
hands, that ever you should forget those
hours"
-" Nor have forgotten them, dear lsa.
bel j. exclaimed voice beside her, that
thrilled every nerye with ecsiacy; and, look
ing around, she perceived her lover. who
had entered the little parlor unperceiyed.
We will no, describe the thousand thin,s
that were said a, this meeting. Suffice i, 10
say, they were like all lovers pro,esta,ioDs.
But The explanation Of Henry mus, be laid
before our readers, though 10 more spc
clnct and less broken manner, than he rave
II. His tale, however, even as told BY him.
self, was short. lie had written according
10 promise, 10 Isabel, but received no an.
swer. Again and again he had written,
but with the like success, until at length
his pride forbade him TO write again. Blu,
his love had survived, notwithstanding the
apparent GOODNESS Of Isabel, and having incl.
dentalIy heard that she was at the Springs,
he had resolved 10 see her and learn the
worst.
"Then il was your mother that inter.
cepIed your letters, SAID Henry, when lsa
bel, had in tura, narrated her story aud
this marrlage-oh Isabel, dear Isabel, can
you sacrifice yourselfl'
What need 10 tell the resulll Love ev.