Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-12-09
CHAPTER VI.

Mr.. Harwood had just returned from
long journey. He had been unsuc-
cessfu in two or three important pro-
jects, and, disguised with the uncertain
~ attending his pursuits, he had sud-
denly determined to abandon politics
altogether. His heart yearned toward
his sweet wife as it had never yearned
before. He had been away from her
SO long! He needed her love now, he
need her soft voice to soothe and COM
fort him, and he came prepared, not
only to receive but to give consolation.
He entered her boudoir softly, intend
ing to surprise her. She was reclining
on the sofa asleep-pale and sad, with
tears still lingering on her lashes, and
her fair hair streaming from her child
ish brow--her lips half parted, and
signing as she slept, she looked so en-
chantingly lovely that he sprung for
ward to awaken her with kiss, when
paper, lying loosely in her hand, ar
rested his attention. He drew it soft
ly from her. 1t was addressed "To
My Husband" and thinking himself
thus justified in reading it, he did so,
with what emotions may be better i'm
agined than told. 1t was as follows:
Oh! hasten to my side, pray!
dare no, be alone.
The smile that tempts, when ,hou'r, away,
Is fonder than thine own.
The voiao that otenest charms my car,
Hath such beguiling tone,
Twill steal my vei soul, fear,
All! leave me no, alone!
1t speaks in accents low and deep,
ltmurmurs praise too dear,
Ii makes me passionately weep,
Then gently soothes my fear;
1t calls me sweet endearing names,
With Loves own childlke art,
My tears, my doubts, il softly b,mes-
IT'S music in my heart!
And dark, deep, eloquent, soul-iled eyes
Speak ,enderly TO mine;
Beneath that gaze what feelings rise.
1t is more kind than thine;
hand, even pride can scaice repsl,
Too foadly seeks mine own,
1t is not saie.-itis not well!
All. leave me not alone.
try to calm, in cold repose,
Beneath his earnest eye,
The heart that thrills, the cheek that CLOVIS
Alas! in vain, try!
Oh. trust me not-a woman irai!-
TO brave the snares OF life.
Lest lonely, sad, unloved, fail,
And shame the name Of wits,
Come back! though cold and harsh to me,
There's honor by thy side.
Better unblest, ye, safe, to be,
Than lost TO truth, to pride.
Alas. my peril hourly grows,
In every though, and dream;
No,-not to thee my spirit goes,
But still-yes! s,ill to him.
Return with those cold eyes TO me,
And chill nv soul once more.
Back 10 the lovsess spathy, ,.-.ua.z~@~-
II learned so well before,
Jealousy, anger, pity, remorse and
love were al war in the breast of Har-
wood; but, with a moments reflection
through the past, upon his own con-
duet, the three last conquered, and,
kneeling by her side, he pressed his
lips upon her brow. She murmured
softly in her sleep, "Dear, darling hus-
band, do you love me?" and the color
trembled in her cheek ike the rosy
light of morning on the snow.
HARDWOOD pressed her passionstely TO
his heart, and she awoke terrified, a.
shamed, penitent, yet, happy al length
beyond expression, for she forgave and
was forgiven. She had overrated, in
her sensitive consciousness, the en-
tent of her error. Her fancy, her
mind, rather than her affections, had
been beguiled. HARDWOOD felt at once
hat the dewy bloom OF purity had not
been brushed from the heart of the fra
yile flower, by the daring wing of the
insect that had sought i, and hence
orih it was cherished in its proper
lome-his own noble and faithful
,reastl !