The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-04-19

UN vi IcT lSdtuiSS ChShSo Sui S'it @iiSAS
being nothing to excite uneasincss in the mild,
benig gnant demeanor of the gentleman the cir
cumstance had escaped her memory. He was
| man apparently in the meridian of life, in fig
urc, tall and commanding, with face highly
intellectual and strongly marked with lines of
suffering His hair though black and glossy,
disrlayed not few of those silvery telltales
which time places there as gentle warnings that
| we are vending our way to the grave. Emma
quickened her steps h"t the stranger kept close
to her side, said ing about its getting
late and his wis ee 'er safe home. Emma
stif11y bowed, sa "Ig she was already nearly
home. But he persisted and they walked along
in silence. On coming in sight of the house
she observed Brandon going in. The stranger
also seeing him quickly took his leave. who
was your beau, Emma" asked Brandon when
they were seated in the parlor, with seeming
careessness. 'Methinks he made rather pre-.
cipitate retrograde movement OF seeing your
husband
Indeed do not know, answered she, though
1 have seen him several times by accident
For an instant dark shade stole over the
fine features of Brandon. 1t was in the next
disspated as he looked at the expression of pu-
rity painted upon the ingenious face bcforehim,
and all suspicion would have passed from his
mind had he not observed that she displayed
considerable anxiety whenever the door opened.
who are you expecting, Emmap he said with
something like pique in his manner
Il thought answered she, stammering and
slightly confused, that Mr.. Courtenay might
call
Il do not see,' said he, how the simple cir
cumstance of Mr. Courtenay's calling should
produce such impatience and such visible trepi.
dation, but if it is really he whom you are ex-
pecting, he is confined to his room with Sc
we're cold and will not be out for several days
probably
Did he send no message?' asked Emma with
evident disappointment.
'Message-to you, pray what message should
he have sent to you! asked Brandon in raised
tone. 4 was not aware that there was such
close communion between you. Take care,
Emma,' he continued with earnestness, "a hus.
bands confidence is much easier lost than re-
gained
sOh Edward she returned with eyes brimful
Of tears, will you never understand me-
1T would take something more Of philoso-
pher than profess to be, to understand you to
night, Mrs. Brandan.'
Andthus had unpleasant feelings sagain sprung
up in his bosom. And vet when he reflected
upon the nobleness of Courtenay's character,
and that he would be the last man in the world
to injure friend, his angry feelings were SUBJ
dued. And if it had been so, why should he
blame Emma! Neglected by her husband and
her home rendered desolate by his desertion,
she might, withouta thought Of guile, have en-
couraged a friendship for another.
Emma, said Brandon at breakfast the next
day, 'ifyou walk out this morning, will you pur-
chase new chain for my watch
Certainly she replied with smile, 'if you
promise to be pleased
4 do he said, kissing her afectionately "
And thus harmony was once more restored
Emma, after making her purchases, was COM
ing out Of the store, when she again encounter
ed the stranger. 1t seemed remarkable that she
should thus always meet him. He now accos-
ted her by name and said something, to which
she would not reply and to avoid him went into
another store. On coming ont, she found him
waiting for her. Provoked at this, she was
about requesting him to leave her, when hap
pening to cast her eye upon his face, she obser.
we'd there such deep.seated melancholy that her
heart reproached her for the unknd intention,
and as he fingered by her side, she felt there
was bond of sympathy between them There
was something about him which deeply inter-
ested her. She would have wished to ask his
name, but the improperly of commencing {.
conversation with a perfect stranger prevented.
As these reflections fitted through her mind,
she observed Mrs. Sewell and Lucy on the op.
positc side of the street looking at her. They
bowed stilIly and without further notice passed
on. At this moment the stranger sighed deep
ly and Emma could not prevent herself from
saying, you seem unhappy, sir
For many years. he replied, Il have been
weighed down by misery. lwoudtcll you my
history, but this is no time. Should we meet
again, will you listen to itr Emma hcsitatcd
at a loss what to reply. Observing this, he said
You are apprehensive of impropriety, believe
me there can be none They had now come
in sight of the house when he left her.
Emma's thoughts now dwclt necessarily up
on the stranger She wished she had cnquired
his name and determined to do so the next time
she met him, and if he was what he appeared to
be gentleman in distress, she would interest
her husband in him. Until then, she would not
trouble MIR. Brandon by relating so trivial an in-
cident
rIVo c,,,o J,,, 40 t,o ,,er,l G., 11o Lo,r