Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1853-08-19
The W fe---A Thrilling Sketch.
BY JOHN G. WHITTIER.

| BY JOHN G.. WHITTIER.
She was beautiful girl when first saw
| her. She was standing up at the side OF
her lover at the marriage altar. She was
slightly palc-yet ever and anon, as the
ceremony proceeded, faint tnge of Grim
son crossed her beautiful cheek, like the
reflections of a sunset cloud upon the clear
waters of quiet lake. Her lover, as he
cIasped her hand within his own, gazed on
her few moments with unmingled admira-
tion, and warm and eloquent blood shad-
owed at intervals his manly forehead and
melted in beauty on his lips. t5
| And they gave themselves to one another
in the presence of Heaven, and every heart
blessed them, as they went their way rejoic-
ing in their love.
Years passed on and Iagain saw those
lovers. They were seated together where
the light of sunset stole through half closed
crimson curtains, lending richer tint to
the delicate carpenting and the exquisite
establishment of the rich and gorgeous
apartment. Time had slightly changed
them in outward appearance. The girlish
| buovancy of the one had indeed given place
| to the grace of perfect womanh0od, and her
| lips were somewhat paler, and a faint line
Of care was slightly perceptible upon her
brow. Her husbands brow, too, was mark
] ed somewhat more deeply than his age
might warrant; anxiety, and ambition, and
pride had grown over it and left their traces
\ upon it silver hue was mingled with the
dark in his hair, which had become thin
around his temples, almost to badness. He
was rec inlng on his splendid ottoman wi tn
bis face half hidden by his hand, as if he
feared that the deep and troubled thoughts
which oppressed him were visible upon his
features.
edward, you are i'll to-night," said his
wife in low, sweet, half-ineuiring voice,
as she laid her hands upon his own.
Indifference from those VIC love is terrible
to the sensitive bosom. It is as if the sun
of heaven refused its wonted cheerfulness,
and glared upon us with q cold, dim and for
hidden glance. 1t is dreadful to feel that
the only being of our lovel refuses to ask
our sympathy that he broods over the feel
ings which he scorns or fears to reveal
dreadful to watch the convulsive features
and the gloomy brow, the inde6nable shad-
ows of hidden emotion, the involuntary sigh
of sorrow in which we are forbidden to par
ticipate. and whose character we cannot
know. The wits essayed once more.
"Edward," she said, slowly and mildly,
and affectionately, "the time has been when
you were willing to conGde your secret Joys
and sorrows to one who had never, trust,
betrayed your confidence! Why, then, my
dear Edward, is this cruel reserve? You
are troubled, and yet refuse to tell me the
cause 4
Something of returning tenderness often
ed for an instant the cold severity of the
husbands features, but it passed away, and
n bitter smile was his only reply.
Tina on od on nd the twain wa sann
rated from each other. The husband sat
gloomy and alone in the damp cell of dun
geon lie had followed ambition as a god,
and had failed in a high career. He had
mingled with men whom his heart loathed,
he had sought out the fierce and wronged
spirits of the land, and had breathed into
them the madnoss Of revenge. He had
drawn his sword against his country he
had famed rebeGon to a flame, and it had
been quenched in human blood. He had
fallen, miserably fallen, and was doomed to
die the death of a traitor.
The door of the dungeon opened and a
light form entered and threw herself into
his arms. The softest light of sunset fell
upon the pale brow and wasted cheek of his
once beautiful wife.
edward my dear Edward, she said,
81 have come to save you have reached
YOU after thousand difficulties, and,
thank God, my purpose is nearly executed
Misfortune had softened the proud heart
of manhood, and as the husband pressed his
pale wife to his bosom, tear trembled on
his eyelash.
ssI have not deserved this Kindness" he
murmured in the chosed tone of agony.
"Edwari,' said his wife, in an earnest
but faint and low voice, which indicated
extreme and fearful debility, s'we have not
a moment to lose. By an exchange of gar.
ments youwill be able to pass out unnoticed.
Haste, or we may be too late. Fear moth
ing for me. l am woman, and they will
not iniure me for my efforts in behalf of q
husband dearer than life ITSELF"
ssBut, Margaret said the husband, "you
look sadly i'll. YouAapnot breathe the air
of this dreadful cell.
ssOh, speak not to me, my dearest Ed
ward" said the DEVOTED woman, "I can
endure anything for your sake. Haste,
Edward, and all will be well," and she aid
ed with n trembling hand, to disguise the
proud form of her husband in female garb.
"Farevell, my love, my preserver," whis-
pered the husband in the car of the disguis-
ed wife, as the officer sternly reminded the
supposed lady, that the time allotted to her
visit had expired. ts#
ssFarewell! VIC shall not meet again, re-
sponded the wife; and the husband passed
out unsuspected and escaped the enemies
of his life.
They did meet again the wife and hus-
band; but only as the dead may meet, in
the awful communings of another world.
Affccti IN had borne up her exhausted spirit
until the last great purposes of her exer-
tions were accomplished in the safety Of
her husband-and when the bell tolled on
the morrow, and the prisoners cell was
opened, the guards found, wrapped in the
habiliments Of their destined victim, the
pale but beautiful corpse Of the devoted wife.
"rM Orr There is moral in the
following incident. which may prove
beneficial TO some Of our fair readers
"A young man went 10 pay his ad-
dresses TO very pretty girl whom be
had seen abroad--neat as a pink, and
mild as summer eyening--all smiles
and dimples. Going in unexpectedly
one day, he heard the voice Of his char
mer an octave above and at least a |
TOO rapid forgood nature
Standing moment. he saw her pass.
those silken tresses in Wild disorder
streaming like . meteor through ths
air'-sip-shod, the heel Of one
half torn off. It was not the
disha billie Of industry, but the garb of
, ha eIattorn Araazad the lovor usz zsd n |