Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1846-11-11

deemed herselfhappier than she had ever been
before. But he soon slackened in his attentions
and sometimes betrayed the bitterness and vio-
lence of his temper even to her. One day,when
he had spoken to her with cruel, and as she felt
undeserved harshness, tho feelings that had for
some time heen gathering strength in her
heart found utterance, and she passionately en-
treatedto know what she had done to forfeit his
love. .Ta3 - ~
''My love - he said cotemptuously, ssdid you
never hear why married you T;
81 thought-you loved me-" she answered in
low, tlmid voice. -
s'You thought-you hoped Did your ia
Their never tell you of our bargain! / gave you
my hand in payment of gambling debt to your
excellent and respected father. Mighty inno-
cent you are, no doubt, and never knew that
YOU were forced upon me: now your every look
reminds me of the most hateful hours of my life
Thereby your eyes. Your reverend parent
has, no doubt made you capital actress; but
we need not pretend to misunderstood each 9TH
err. We have each won our reward in this blest
union: you are mistress of Elmwood, andI am
saved from ruin, which would be bad enough,
and exposure which would be worse"
sMy father % starnmered the lady.
ayes. No doubt his conduct proceeded from
the purest affection for yourself. He had, of
course, every reason to believe should make
an excellent husband. There was nothing of
seIf-interest in what he did-nor desire to make
use ofmy house and fortune, or to make tool
of myself. 1t matters not" he added with in
creased bitterness, 81 have made myself a
promise that he shall never cross my threshold
and never broke my word yet, as you know
bowling to her with mock civility.
He left the room, and his bewildered nearer
remained long standing in the same attitude,
utterly COMPOUNDED by the words he had spoken.
"Was it true! Had he, indeed, said he did not
love her Z! Was every hope gone from her for
ever Was her very presence hateful to him!
Oh, that she had died in the blessed belief that
he loved her? Where could she turn for help
for advice? Her dream of happiness was past:
nothing could restore it." Such were the
thoughts that passed across her mind again and
again; and, in truth, it was hard thing for a
heart so young and so loving. to feel itself des-
olate and forsaken. After time, the hope of
winning his affection rose within her, and long
and patiently she strovc to realise it: but alas,
in vain! Months passed on, and the hour drew
near in which she expected to become mother.
When son was born to her, once more her
hope revived.
ssSurely," she thought, for the sake of his
child he will love me- But again she was dis
appointed. He had returned to his old friends
and to his old amusements; and the felt at last
however unwillingly, that she could never fill
place in his heart.
Eight years elasped between the time of her
marriage and the scene with which our tale o.
pened. All that she had endured in that inter-
val, none may know. Her eldest boy, as soon
as he was able to talk became his fathers play
thing, and quickly learned to laugh at his moth
ers authority. A second son, who was still
dearer to her than the frs, because she was still
more happy at the time of his birth, lived only
few months; and she wept alone besides his
grave. Her youngest darling, bright rosy
girl, with dimpled smile, and eyes full of glad
ness, with little more than year old at the. time
the lady of Elmnwood lay ON her death-bed.
We return to that death bed, where wa left
the dying sufferer breathing aloud the sorrows
that had weighed down her spirit for years.
Exhausted at length, she had once more sunk
into silence, when a light knock was heard at
the door, and, in few moments, the nurse ad-
mitted woman carrying lovely infant. The
lady clasped the child in her arms, kissed again
and again its cheeks and lips, and almost smiled
when she felt the touch of its cool hand on her
Is
Alice,' she said turning to the young woman
who had carried the child. Il will undress her.
Nurse, help me to get up
1t was in vain that the old nnrse remonstra-
ted, the lady persisted; and supported by pillows
she sat up in her bed, and tenderly loosened the
baby's Clothes and wrapped it in its little night
-dress. She even played with it as of old, and
smiled to hear its merry laughter. She dismiss
ed Alice, but recalling her as she was leaving
the room, said, earnestly,-"Alice, you love this
child; she will soon be motherless, there will
be none to care for her. Oh, be faithful to your
charge! Cherish her, do not desert her; and
may the blessing of her dying mother be with
you to your last hour.'
The young woman left the room in tears, the
nurse sighed as sha turned away: and the lady
lay down with her beautiful baby on her bosom.
Her heart was full of prayer though her voice
was hushed lest she should disturb the slumber
that was stealing over the child. Its calm,
regular breathing was music to hear; the smile
that broke like CLEANS of sunshine, on its, sleep
ing face soothed her and stole into her thoughts
Full of faith and hope, she commenced that
precious one to the care of her Saviour; and
when some struggling wish would arise, that
she might have lived to protect and cherish it
still she could say in sincerity, '1n Him is my
trust"
Long past midnight the old nurse was AVA
kened from deep sleep by hasty step advan-
cling across the apartment. 1t was the lord of
who thus tardily-hs evenings a.
being concluded-his wife summons.
81 am here, Eleanor" he said, Withdrawing the
curtain; 'swhy did you send for me ? "why did
you send forF' No voice REPLIED and he moved
he lamp so as to throw its light on the bed
The sight that met his ewes touched even
him. There lay his wife decd and on her bo-
som, its rosy cheek touching her cold lips, its
-ound arm thrown about her neck,lay her infant
n its calm, happy sleep. He bent over them
he gazed upon that faded form, now awful in
is Stiffness, and on that joyfal infant so full of
life and happiness. He remembered,a he look
ID on the dead, her patience, her humility, her
Infailing submission to his caprcious will; he
to what a life of solitude he had
condemned her, and then he thought of her as
'he was when he first saw her, and when those
Eyes looked lovingly upon him. Only few