Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1850-08-31

will not allow you to allude to any difference
in our conditions. You are the peer of the
king and the slave alike, so far as they equal
you in goodness and truth
you are noble, you are generous, as you al
ways were exclaimed Phebe; but if you do
not, the world docs recognize those differences,
and
And what, Phebe? My conscience. and
Judgment are my Law, not the opinion ofthe
world
Dear Gerald it will do very well for you,
who are a man, and occupying station the
world will respect, to bid defiance to its opin-
ions; but am woman the child of poor
man, sustaining the relation of a servant girl
to your mother-it would be folly and disgrace
for me to treat the prejudices of the world
with contempt
! Gerald unused a moment. 4 respect your
delicacy,' he said, but if the difference in our
worldly conditions be the only objection you
have to an intimacy with me, must insist
that you will never think of it. You shall re-
ceive from me, at least, the honor and respect
due to sister, and the world shall be taught
to recognize you as sustaining that relation
Phebe, will you take my arm?'
She hesitated no longer, but walking tinid-
| ly at his side, talked to him of what she had
done in his absence, and listened to the sketch
es of the thousand interesting things he had
seen abroad.
They entered the cottage together, and in
its neat and tasteful decorations, in the ming
ling of its books, flowers, and music, Gerald
saw evidences of pure and refined intellect.
| He was surprised in conversation with Phebe
to discover so much cultivation of thought and
sentiment; he acknowledged to himself that he
had never. in any sphere, met her superior.
| Her beauty, too, made every thing she said so
graceful!
After this morning. the intimacy of their
childhood seemed restored to them. Once
more Gerald was a tutor; once more Phebe
measured and corrected her tastes by his.
They played in the garden together, as mer-
rily and innocently as when they were child
ren; they read together the books that charm
ed them in youth; and compared their juve-
nile with their maturer tastes. All this was
very delightful and very dangerous for poor
Phebe. But she could not stop to anticipate
or dread results. The present absorbed ev-
cry thought An event occurred, however, to
recall her to reflection and sorrow.
There arrived at Appleton Place beauti-
full orphan cousin, AN heiress ofimmense wealth
She came with the intention of remaining a
number of months. The report was very soon
current, that union was to take place be-
tween the heir of Appleton Place and his ele-
giant cousin, Leona Phebe had been present
ed to this young lady, and found her one Of
the loveliest and most accomplished of her sex
|
and ah! too surely poor Phebe felta great fa.
vorite with Gerald, also
Many were the festivities and amusements
introduced at the Place in honor of the beau
tiful guest. Walks, rides, sails, and parties
nnumerable, in all of which Gerald was Leo
mas favored attendant AT first he had urg-
ed Phebe to accompany them; but as he saw
these entreaties gave her pain, and that she
very decidedly refused compliance, he soor
discontinued them. Phebe was now alone
She neither visited Appleton Place, nor was
visited by Gerald or his mother as often as
formerly.
Leona sometimes called, and seemed to re-
gard the sweet girl with something of sisters
fondness. These visits were painful to Phebe
but she strove to subdue every feeling of en-
Wy, and rejoice only in Gerald's good fortune
1t was not easy for her to do this She found
now that it was too late to avoid it, that she
had been loving Gerald to much; that the
time was now past when she could look up
on his marriage with another, and feel no emo
tons of regret. He was all that made life
sweet and beautiful to her. Without his So
ciety, she felt that her future pilgrimage woulc
be without interest; that she would wish only
to die.
Rumors reached her every day of grea
preparations that were making at the Place fol
the approaching marriage.
Mrs. Appleton herself called down to the
cottage, and bespoke large number of bou
quets for the parlors, and flowers for the bride
Phebe had an orange tree almost ready tt
bloom. She gave it plenty of air, and sun
shine, and water, to hasten forward the buds
She would entwine them with the flowers 0
the sweet jessamine. and her own hands shoulC
place them amid Leona's sunny braids.
i The evening before the wedding, GeralC
came down to the cottage Phebe was in tht
garden, collecting flowers.
Roses for the wedding?' said he. al
the loveliest rose there, will be a human flow
err
You will have beautiful BRIDE said Phe
be, turning away from his gaze
Il shall indeed. Beautiful alike in face ant
soul See here, Phebe,'-he lifted two whit
moss rose buds as he spoke,-'wear these, to
, morrow, will you not?
: why tomorrow p
Because they will beft a bridal. You mus
stand at Leona's side when the VOWS are spok
en-, Phebe'
The poor girl turned pale. 'Oh do not asl
it of me, Gerald. You must yourself perceiv'
how ncongruous such an office would be-
Leona will wear her jewels and her satins
my costliest garb is plain white cambria; ant
Jewels have none, except such as natur,
gives me in the flowers. Besides, Leona is S,
gloriously beautiful, no one is ft to stand a
her side'
None but Phebe. Father, mother, Leona
all of us desire this favor. You will not re
fuse, dear Phebe?'
Phebe yielding a reluctant consent, thougl
she felt it was adding bitter cup to the grie
she already experinced
Gerald promised to call for her at an early
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