Western union. (City of Hannibal, Mo.) 1850-1851, 1851-07-03
prize story from sartan's Magazine.
THE ESTRANGED HEARTS.
A TALE OF MARRIED LIFE.
by CLARA MURETOS.
RATES nE ADVERTISING
by CLARA MURETOS.

Ay, he remembered that evening well; and
this emblem Of consistency, how il smote him
now! 'Forget.me. 1t! the flower spoke as
plainly q. words could have done, and his heart
answered, BY those hours Of tenderness, those
days Of joy, thou art not forgotten Oh, Mar
garst, save me from these memories!
And now unfolding sheet Of tissue paper,
he lifted from it long'tress OF soft brown hair,
which fell from his fingers in spiral curls as he
gazed upon it. There was no writing within.
He needed none, for his eyes filled With tears
as he looked upon it. Carefully he reolIed
and closed the paper, almost reverenlially he
pressed tho package to nis lips, and then, with
deep sigh, he leaned his head upon his hands,
ana unused for hours.
The clock struck one-two-- still his wife
came not, and with impa'ience added TO dis
pleasure, he went down into the parlors, and
for another weary hour paced the long rooms
to and fro. Nv. sound fell upon his ear, save
the low ticking of the French clock in the bou-
doir, and, low aud then, the distant rumbllng
OF carriages.
He stood in the centre of the suite of rooms,
and looked around him. This home tha, he had
fitted up so luxuriously for his young bride
the drawing room, with its gorgeous carpet of
woven roses, its lofty windows, curtaincd with
satin and heavily wrought lace, its antique ana
richly carved furniture, and all the exquisite
ornaments that art could furnish, or wealth buy
the music room, with its splendid instrument,
its rare old paintings, aud lis marble slaluarv--
the little boudoir for her own especial use, with
its windows Of stained glass and rose coored
drapery, its languor inviting lounges, aud 1T.
mirror lined walls--why could she not be sat
isfed within such precincts to live for him,
even as he had hoped to live tor her?
He pressed his hand TO his head it was
throbbing painfully. and hot with fever Draw
ing aside the curtains of one of the front win
dows, which extended to tie floor, he raised it,
slid the bolt of the Venetian shutters, and step
ped out upon the balcony.
The cool air refreshed him and now he
heard the whirl Of an approaching carriage -
Nearer and nearer it came, and hastily reclosing
the shutters, and dropping the window, he
stood listening.
On on the carriage rolled, stopping beside the
door, and now there was quick ring, which
Mr.. Dorrahce answered in person. II was
we'll he did, for Ma,ty's sumbcr was unbroken
tie held the door open, standing IN the shade
Of it, so that he was not observed lie heard
Mr.. Graham say to his wife, in low familiar
tone,
4 am glad, my dear Mrs Dorrance, Iha; yor
have resolved to appear more frequently IN tn.
society which you SO adorn. Will You hereat'
ter honor me with any commands that you ma,
have for, | can assure you that am but toC
happy to be entirely at your service
Mr.. Dorrance did not wait for his wife's re
ply, but stepping for ward into the light, he me
them face TO face. He forgot his usual conr,e
~, his studied self possession, as, drawing hi
wifs's hand rudely from the arm on which i
rested, he said,
will excuse you, Mr.. Graham, from all iu
ture attentions towards my wife; she will no
60 into society hereafter, without my protection.
1t was 80 sudden, 90 unex pected, that bot
stood speechless. The next moment Mr.. Dor
rance had closed the door upon Mr.. Graham
without the civili,ies Of porting. And now HI
wife's dark eyes flashed vehemen'ly, as break
ing from his grasp, She entered the drawing
room, and threw herself npon velvet fautenl
Her small foot beat the rich carpet nervously
and the soft color of her cheeks deepened, unit
they glowed like the heart of the crimson ros
which her white fingers were now fercel
tearing to pieces.
As her husband followed, she turned he
head disiainlully from him. Each time that l
NJ cd to speak she answered him with seorI
NHrlntng words, until at length s,uug to MAJ
n; ", he seized her arm, burying hi. nails
the flesh.
Good God, Margaret! will you have no me
cy upon meP do you not see that you are mski'
o fsnd Of me Z
She did not scream although her arm quive
ed with pain she did not seek to shake him {
as before sha rather eXulted in the idea that
had added personal violencs to lhe mnr'iica'i
he had inflicted upon her, by his ungen'lema
" treatment Of Mr.. Graham, so she smiled col
Iy, and answered mockingly,
Your own evil passions, sir have convert
you into the iiend which you ALLOW you al
and which canno, dispute-no, nor even doub
she added as she glanced at her arm. which
had now released, she saw a drop of blood trio
ling down its polished surface. Around it =
wound her fine cambric handkerchief, and
sing, whould have left the room.
Mr.. Dorranos stood bstween her and