The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-04-12
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tly wiped away, and rising for few minutes,
walked the room with the majestic bearing of an
empress. But soon shesresumed her seat and her
melancholy musings. sTwelye,n said she, look.
ing up at the mantle clock as it struck the hour Of
midnight . and he comes not. Merged in the
scene Of gayety, he cares not for the endearments
of home He forgets the weary midnight watcher.
But what right have to complain? I will not
murmur. Did not rush into the vortex with nv
eyes open, cinging to frail bark which knew
to be too weak to contend with the whrl of popu-
lar opinion? The penalty must now be paid by
dragging on heightened chain of misery, un-
loved and alone" . = .!t5saz,
Twelve. months had elapsed since Emma Sew
ell had become the wife of Edward Brandon, and
many changes had taken place. Her beloved pro-
tectress had died, leaving large property at her
own disposal, which Emma, with her usual mag
nanimity had transferred to Lucy, who she said
was the rightfuf inheritor. This did not annoy
Brandon much; he was too much in love at the
time, and avarice was not among his feelings. He
realized enough from the profit Of his profession to-
maintain the appearance Of gentleman. His be-
setting Sin, as we have before limited, was pride.
Lucy being more an heiress, triaed and Hrted
away her time in variety of gayeties and frivoli-
ties. She sometimes visited Emma, but it was
only by stealth, as her mother had positively for
kdden anything like intimacy. Emma is not in
society" she would say, and though doubtless
she possesses much merit, still we must conf6rm
to the usages of the place in which we kves
q But mamma" pleadlingly replied Lucy, En-
ma Is so lonely; you know she is not invited out
with Edward. Were man, ! would go no where
if my wife was not invited. declare have no
patience with Brandon for not resentng the sights
she receives" ,s,,S, -.
@Wel, my dear, let us leave the world to settle
their own concerns. Your business is strict obe-
diencen
. Lucy pouted little, and then went to prepare
for ball, where she danced with Brandon.
When Brandon brought Emma to the city, he
was vexed and mortified to find that she did not
receive all that respect and attention which he
thought her entitled to as his wits. Specializing
mothers and manageable daughters were aston
shed that man of MI. Brandon's standing should
have married woman without name or sta60n.
Some could not think Of setting the example Of In
viting one who had sprung from the dregs of the
earth to their exclusive parties, and all declared
that he acted the fool in marrying charity-or-
phan. Emma bore neglect and contumey with
wonderful philosophy; sustained by an innate
sense of superiority, she rather looked down upon
the empty headed set Not SO her husband; he
chafed, fretted, and worked himself up to perfect
of tact in not being able to concliate these people,
g II you would discard" said he, e some Of your
lofty independence, and make use of little du-
plicity, by no means crying sin in fashionable
life, such as seeming delighted beyond measure at
meeting those whom you care not straw about
-" Had Emma heard Alright? She started
and colored. Had her husband really been coun-
selling her in code of hypocrisy, that she might
creep into society which she held with contempt
"Oh pride! oh fashion r she mentally exclaim-
ed, swhat an influence do you exercise when you
can warp such mind as Edward Brandon's!"
She could not prevent herself from saying, while
a bitter smile cnrled her lip, awhen Emma seeks
to conciliate persons whom she despises, then in
deed must she not only have discarded her pride,
but her whole nature must be changed" sM
And thus had angry feelings arisen between the
pair. Then followed words of un-
kindness from him, drying up and scorching the
sweet fountains of affection, and bightng in the
bud the promised flowers of happiness withwhich
they fondy hoped their path through life would
be strewed. Brandon now rushed into the whirl
pool of pleasure; not that he became dissipated,
in the vulgar sense of the term, but every hour
that could be spared from his legal duties, was
given up to balls and parties of pleasure, to which
uiu lOl dCCOIupdily WOO
member of the - Society, and Emma had ac-
him to some of the balls, but she hads
reasons for declining to 60 any more, nor did ne =:
wish it, for he had become ashamed of her wharo' .
was the brightest flower in his walks. Emma had q
always been passonately fond of music. One day
she entered Brandon's study with papeEs ard
with sweet winning smile, placing heI hand up
on his shoulder, said, edward, love, my aEoriter
opera is TO be performed tonight Do yeusthink
you will have leisure to accompany me22< Ed.
ward at first pleaded business, but was 6llsHg
coaxed into compliance. go,
They had scarcely seated themselves when
arge and fashionable party entered the=next box.
After returning Brandon's bow of recosnitien,taey
raised their glasses staring rudelys at. Emma-
succeeded. This was,alla lost upon.
he person most interested, whoses attention was
by the performance, But nothing of
he scene was lost upon Edwards mortified and
,hafed, he turned from white to red, and from red
% white; then looking at his wife, he noticed that
:he wore no ornament in her hair...s. Casting his
eyes around, he observed that every one displayed
,ich and costly head-dresses He again looked at
Emma, whose hair, though neat, was perfectly.
plain. "Oh abominable rusticity, unheard-ofgauA
;hsrie" Emma, on looking round to address
something to him, found an expression of marked
lispleasire. on his countepance Innocent Of hav-
ng given him cause for offence, she became un- :.
happy, and losing alt relish for the amusement.
elt relieved when the uftaiiidreppea: On reach
ng home Edward gave vent to his modification
IN torrent of vindictive phrases. y" Could any ,
,ro -, m rh bo yo hoop On sund said he as n,