The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1845-02-20
HI DEVOTED WIFE.
By ]. G. WHITTIER.

0bN NOo a OudtI4o Lt0t ouH
her, she was standing by the side of her low
er at the marriage altar. She was slightly
pale-yet ever aud an on as the ceremony
proceeded a faint tinge Of crimson crossed
her cheek, Ike the reflection of a sunset
cloud upon the clear waterso a lake. Her
lover, as he clasped her hand within his own,
gazed on her for a moment with unmingled
admiration, and the warm eloquent blood
Swallowed at intervals his manly forehead,
and "melied mic beauty on his lips.n
And they gave themselves 10 ono another
in the presence of Heaven, and every heart
blessed them as they went on their way re-
ioicing in their love,
Years passed on, and Isaw those lovers.
They were sealed together where the light
OF summers's sunset stole through the half
closed and crimson curtain, and the exquisite
embellishments ofthe rich and glorious apart
ment.
Time had Slightly changed them in out
ward appearance. The girlish buoyancy Of
the one had indeed given place TO the grace
of perfect w~omanhood, and her lip was some
what paIer, and a faint line of care was per-
cePtTBFSahy. Her husbands brow
tOOs WIS llulhCd oOiHC Httu ulOtO 0COHtJ ttAttf
his age might warrant; anxiety, ambition and
pride had grown over, and left their trace
upon il; a silver hue was. mingled with the
dark of his hair, almost 10 badness. He
was reclining on a splendid ottoman, with
his face half hidden with, his hands, as if he
feared that The thoughts which oppressed
him were.visible upon his features.
edward, you are i'll Tonight" said his
wife, in a low, sweet, halEinquiring voice,
as-she laid her delicate hands upon her hus-
bands.
Indifference from those we love is terrible
10 the sensitive bosom. 1t is as if the sonof
heaven refused its wanted cheefulness. and
glared upon us with a cold, dim and forbid
ing glance. 1t is dreadful 10 feel that the
only being ofour love refuses to ask our
sympalhy-that he broods over the feelings
which he scorns or fears to reveal-dread-
full TO which the conclusive features and
gloomy brow-the undeniable shadows of
hidden emoiion-ihe involuntary sigh OF sor-
rows, in which we are forbidden to pariici-
pate, whose character we cannot know q
The wife essayed once more. edward"
said she slowly, mildly and aifectionately,
the time has beer when you were willing to
contide your secret Joys and sorrows TO one,
who has never, | trust, betrayed you conf
dence. Why, then, my dear Edward, is lhis
cruel reserve? You are troubled, and refuse
to tell me the cause"
Something of returning tenderness soften
ed for an instant the cold severity OF the
husbands features, but it passed away, and
/ n hitfpr cuDiia uac hic only rnDiV.
Time passed on, aud the twain were sep
arated from each other. The husband sat
gloomy and alone in the damp cell of a dun
geon. He had mingled with the men whom
his hear loathed, be had sought the fierce
and wronged spirits of his land, and had
breathed into them the madness OF revenge.
He had drawn password against his country
he had famed rebellion to flame, and it had
been quenched in human blood. He hadfal-
len, and was doomed to die the death OF a
traitor.
The door of the dungeon opened, and a
/ light form entered and threw herself upon
arms. The softened light of sunset fell up
on the pale brow and wasted cheek OF hi:
once beautiful wife.
"Edward-my dear Edward" said she. 81
have come TO save you. nave fedcheu yol
after a thousand difficulties, and | thank Coo
my purpose is nearly executed"
Misfortunes had softened the proud hear
of manhood, and as the husband pressed hi
pale wife TO his bosom, a tear trembled OF
, his eyelash. II have not merited this kind
; ness" be mumured, in the choaked tones Q
agony.
= edward" said his wife, in an earnes
but faint and low voice, which indicated eS
n treme and fearful debility, "we have not
Q moment TO loose. By an exchange OF ga
: ments you will be able to pass out unnotIt
ed Haste or we may be tco late. Fe;
IF nothing for me. | am but a woman, an
they will not injure me for any efforts
behalf ola husband dearer TO me than II
/ l~itself.'