The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-02-07
sslonI, n which love and entire confidence were

kno,vs the truth or fasehood of our hearts. TO
Him will prayfor your happiness, whatever my
fate may be-" II 7ae5s ais 2as
| They parted, and oh how the fond girl cherish
ed The memory Of thai parting scene. and the words
he utercd for days afterwards she fancied that she
could still hear his voice floating round could
still feel the pressure Of his hand as he passed the
ring uponher finger. She little thought that they
had parted fo,eyef!- !--that that voice and hand
would henceforth, be dead to her; that she had
wasted her young warm hearts best aud freshest
feelings on one who would outrage them; those
feelings which the heart entertains hut once;
which we would give empires-worlds, TO enter
tain again. it so45 "a ,aN iett W
He had promised to write TO her, and had bro
ken that promise. Edith counted the hours each
day,uniil tlia post was delivered, with wild and
throbbing heart; but each day proved him more
and more forgetful At length strange rumors
reached her of an approaching marriage between
Horace Seaton and young Lady in Paris. sot great
fortune. They crushed aud chilledhc spirit--ai,d
the gay--the happy Edith was no more.
We viii not--we cannot describe her feelings;
when Grst she heard these tidIngs, she treated
them as base calumny! she wrote to him her let.
ter was unansweIed! She accidentally met an
acquaiatance, who has just returned from France.
and from him she learnt that it was too true. He
had been for some weeks married. She heard it
with calm aud composed countenauce, but a
wi,hered, blighted. breaking heart II
Three years had elapsed, aud Edith Hasselden
stood gazing from her easement upon the lake be-
low, while the soft moon shone unciouded in love-
illness. The next day was to be her marriage day
A gentleman, named Fortesque, had seen and ad-
mired her; love is too strong word. He admired
her beauty, was not repalsed by her GOODNESS, aud
after a few months acquaintance, obtained cool
Careless consent from herto become bis wife. She
was strangely altered; no longer The buoyant en-
tliusiastic girl, with looks aud thoughts equally
| fresh and glowing; she had became the calm, un-
impassioned, digni6ed woman Tears had wash
ed every trace Of the from her cheek, and what
with her paleness aud the constant repression Of
every feeling her co,infenancc. che had acquir-
ed the appearance ofoDe Of Canova's statues, cold
yet wonderfully beautiful.
She stood some lime at her easement in deep
Thought; at length she Inurmured, at must be!'
aud turning fiom the window, seated herself at a
desk. IRON whence she removed small packet OF
letters She rembled Violently as she rose and
walked towards FIRE at the other eud OF the room
She then held them over the Hame for an instant
and in thenext they were burning.
's"So perish all remembrance of him." she said
Again she walked towards the window, and
took from her bosom miniature; she appeared COL
Iecnag courage to destroy that also. A pang shot
over her heart and brow as she gazed upon the
picture. She pressed il convulsively to her lips;
aud bitter tears, 10 spite other desperate effort to
retain them, burst forth in torrents. as If from
source long pent up; she passed her hand over her
brow as il to ease her burning pain. 81 cannot,
oh, no!-I cannot destroy his picture" she said
again, and she looked on it long and 6xedly dreams
Of other days fitted before her, and she sobbed as
ifher heart would burst .u ! 1osassAg
But this emotion passed away; she was again
illand calm, and beautiful as Parian marble. She
fuaclasped the lock Of the chain which supported
the miniature OF Horace Seaton-again she gazed
upon it. The thought that at that time tomorrow
ityould be guilt for her so to gaze, came across
her mind, and she resolved, though she could not
destroy. never again to beholdt. Sha placed II in
paper which she carefully sealed, and locked itin
her dssk. ls n, sse,iss..i. N, sad,e,
'.Now, then. thank heaven, il is over and shall
become anoiber's without one thought of him, ln-
gering in my breast, Z" she murmured; but the tone
ofmisery and utter desolation wasin oontradic-
ton to her words. ~ -. ,sil, se. b ro,,
II was morning, and Edith was arrayed in her
bridal dress. Not the quivering Of a lip, nor the
trembling Of an eyelid. betrayed what was passing
in her heart She walked steadily up to the isle Of
the church; she uttered the response in allow, yet
audible voice; but this calm was unnatural, and
was soon 10 be destroyed. n ~. -,
The ceremony was nearly over, and Fortesque
took her hand upon which he was to place the wed.
ding ring. He started at its death like coldness,
and was surprised TO see jewelled one, which be,
had noticedher constantly wearing was not remove
ed She had forgotten that. And now the recol,
lection Of the vow she had made. never to let an
other remove it thanh who, hoWever false he had
proved. was still Horace Sealnn. the playmate Of
her childhood. the idol Of her FIRST affections FASH
ed upon her, The long, long interval of weary
days and seepless nights, and wasted years. faded
away. and she remembered only their parting words
81 will replace il with another at the altar'' Al
this moment the bridegroom attempted to Withdraw