Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-02-09
THE UNWILLING BRIDE.
BY MRS. E. F. ELLET.


| HI II u N w L. IL N u Ii IL ID Il.
BY MRS. E. F. ELLET.
sSister, let ME take away this ring"
The speaker was young girl, tina
might have seen sixteen summers. Her
companion appeared about three years old
err, and sat leaning her arm on the table
near the window, in an attitude of dejec-
ton that ill accorded with her gay attire
Her dress was Of white satin, and fell in
graceful folds from her slender waist
Her beautiful arms were bare; and the
pearls on her neck and in her hair, as well
as the sprig ofyorange blossom that CLEAN.
ed in its dark folds-tfie appfopriate orna-
ments OF bride-showed that she "wore
her bridal robe;'' while the check that
ssrivelied its whiteness'' as plainly betrayed
that she was awaiting no joyous event.
Her guitar and fain thrown carelessly
aside, were in keeping with her air Of sad
ness and abandonment, in which the young
er sister appeared to sympathize.
"Let me take this p again plead the
soft low voice of the young girl.
emo, Juliet, cannot part with that''
replied the other, in voice full OF melan-
choly tenderness.
"But Margaret, persisted Juliet, sit is
not right that you should wear that token
-now!'
81 will not part with it.''
s'He is utterly unworthy ofyour remem.
brance."
81 know that, Juliet; but cannot help
loving him; no-not him-but the image
in my heart-s as once thought him.
The ring he gave me was pledge of feel
ings L can never more cherish; and | will
keep it. Oh, if he had not deceived me-
deceived US ALL would have sooner died
than have given my hand to another"
Juliet kneeled down beside her sister,
clasped one hand in hers, while the other
arm encircled her waist. Her dropping
face expressed the sympathy she felt.
"But it is all over now," pursued Mar
garet, with sigh, and wiping away the
tears that had gathered in her eyes. Il
will try not to think so much of what is
past. Indeed, I ought to be resigned; for
Mr. Berneau is very kind, and my father
has so earnestly wished the match! One
person, at least, will be made happy.'
"And more than one might be!'' said a
stern voice, as an elderly lady entered,
having heard, apparently, the foregoing
conversation. "Yes, we might all be hap
py. Is it possible you are still weak g.
nough to be grieving after that----''
ssHush, nother!n inplored Juliet, look
ing up anxiously.
ssMargaret!" said the lady, regarding her
daughter with asperity, '''this sullen beha-
vior is more than unbecoming and foolish;
it is wicked! Remember, you are to be
married tonight
81 do,' responded the young girl, with a
slight shudder.
"Mr. Berneau is your fathers choice,
and mine. He is worthy of you. Meet
him as a bride should have consented
it is too late to recede-your conduct
Of your husband, who must feel insulted by
ito
The tone Of extreme severity had its eff.
feet. The bride rose from her seat, and
tried to smile, as she received the little box
containing her lovers bridal present. 1t
was a superb necklace of diamonds. Ju.
liet busted herself in arrangingIboquets from
the flowers that covered table on one side
of the apartment.
1t is time to give the reader some clue to
our little talk.
Margaret Leslie was the daughter of a
planter in one of the districts of South Car
olina. Beautiful and accomplished, as
many young ladies are who pass nearly
their whole lives in the country, she had
numerous admirers; but her heart was Civ.
en- only to Edward Carlton. This young
gentleman had just completed his law stud.
les in New York, and was on tour thro'
the Southern States, when he met Mr..
Leslie and his family in Charleston. An
invitation to spend some weeks at the
country seat of the hosptable planter was
gladly accepted, and it was not long be.
fore his amiable manner, intelligence, and
entertaining qualities won the favor Of the
master and mistress of the mansion, while
the impression upon the heart of the fair
Margaret was still deeper. How could ii
be otherwise, when she had never met one
who in grace and refinement, as we'll as in
varied requirements, could compare with
Mr.. Carlton? He took an interest in all
her studies, and enjoyed her amusements;
uEe" Will Hels sang Will hoi, "hu 1oue
with her. That exhilerating exercise, in
which southern country girls excel; how
delightful it was, in the bright winter. morn
ings, while Juliet with some chance beau
in attendance, lingering little behind
and they chatted gaily as they rode. Or
the long, lonely walks in the brown woods,
or the sail on the river, or the quiet morn
ing at home, or the evening enlivened by
music and dancing, and social converse!-
1t was not to be wondered at, that, the eve
ming before the day on which Edward
Carlton was to take his departure, he re-
ouested an interview with Mr.. Leslie, anc
asked bis daughter Of him; nor that Mar
garet blushed and smiled when he jealousy
announced that he had obtained her pa
rents consent.
Carlton resolved to return North imrne
diately, and commence the practice of law
for which, from his position and family
connections, he enjoyed unusual advanta
ges. He hoped in few months to be abl'
to return and claim his bride. There was
some sadness at the thought of partin.
with Margaret; but the visits Of the family
to the North every summer would brins
them together; and Edward had promises
1 that as often ns nossih1e his vounp wifi