Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1853-12-30
was an excellent thing so, in every way,
she was voted very lucky girl.

was an excellent thing so, in every way,
she was voted very lucky girl.
Poor Mary had neither mother or sister;
she had brothers, who thought it would be
ga very pleasant thing to drink some of
Robinson's good wine." Her father had
little time to think about his family. But
if Mary liked him, it was all very well and
Mary did like him, or fancied she did, and
everybodyI particularly the mammas, talked
to her of the immense advantage it was to
settle well, and how glad they should be at
such an offer for their girls. And SO Mary
was married.
There was one family, with whom from
infancy, Mary had been intimately associa-
ted. Their eldest son was in the army, and
about the same age as our heroine.
Charles Lawrence was noble being,
richly endowed by nature, in heart in mind.
sensitive organization, and naturally ro-
mantle turn of mind reserved and proud,
but where he loved, unbounded in his con-
fdence. He was thought cold by some, self
ish by others, when in reality it was indif-
ference to the good or i'll opinion of those
he cared not for.
From childhood, Mary and himself, hap
been, from their similarity of tastes and
feelings, strongly united. In consequence
of Charles going to complete his education
at a military college, prior to his entering
the army, the attachment, however, that had
subsisted between them, had hitherto been
that calm and pure feeling which exists in
early youth, before passion, with its desc
! lating power, enters the heart; and when
Mary wrote to apprize him of her marriage,
though a feeling of regret arose that she
should belong TO another, still his answer
to her letter contained wishes for her hap
piness as fervent and sincere as ever came
from the heart.
When he returned to England, upon his
first leave of absence, Mary had been pur-
posely invited to join the family circle
When she entered the room, and noiselessly
walked towards the happy party, she stood
in utter astonishment at the total change,
in manners and appearance, of her former
playmats. He was now a gay, dashing-
looking man, with all the ease Of manner
that military life generally produces; and
as he turned a d gazed at her, her eyes fell
beneath the look of ancient admiration be-
slowed upon her and she blushed as she
extended her hand towards him.
He was no less struck by the change a few
years had produced in her. Her form was
more slight, and even girlish, than before
her marriage; her complexion was clear and
lovely; but her eyes were no longer the
same the large, clear, blue orb, that for
mery looked full at you, now held only
mournful softness, as if tears had clouded,
not dimmed, the radiance that youth ought
still to possess.
SIS she happy?" was the abrupt and
startling question he put to his mother, as
soon as an opportunity offered. The an
swer was, "She ought to be, for Mr.. Rob-
ertson,lets her do as she likes-never inter-
feres with hers she has beautiful house,
plenty of money, and sees lots of company.
| only wish Ellen or Rose could get as well
settled.'
Charles was not satisfied with the answer;
he knew well that more is required for the
happiness of the loving heart and enthusias-
tic mind of Mary than the position referred
to, and he availed himself of the privileges
of early intimacy to discover the fact. It
was soon learnt; and, with her quick sensi-
bilities and lively feelings, what wonder
was it that, upon being thrown into the So
ciety of the friend of her youth, she gave
herself up to the new feelings that soon
gained entire possession of her? Her hus,
band had scarcely excited her feelings, her
sympthies never. Cold and Indifferent in
heart, he was peculiarly unsuited to the i'm
petuous character of Mary. She could not
exist in state of indifference, and soon
turned hopelessly from one who never at
tempted to study her happiness to one who
existed only when he administered to her
wishes.
When Charles joined his regiment, though
no words of unhalowed love had passed
between them, they existed only for each
other, AMI yet no thought of evil mixed
with the intense enjoyment they felt; and
had any one presumed to tell Mary that she
loved Charles Lawrence as no wife ought to
love another than her husband, she would
haye spurned the idea. But even this pang
was spared her, and she gave herself up to
the bright hope of their meeting again in
three months
The three months passed in the dreamy
existence that love creates; their letters
were source of unbounded delight, being
the means of communicating many thoughts
and feelings that in conversation would
have led to an explanation between them,
and thus destroyed the illusion and decep-
tions which they contriyed to throw around
their hearts. They did not wish, in truth,
to examine the cause of the enjoyment they
mutually felt; conscience, perhaps told
them-or, at all events, prudence-tha.
once awakened to the state of their feelings;
they could no longer continue the blissful
In fa lnaI Il