Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-08-18

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She lay long upon the sofa, ! say,
sobbing and weeping passionately.-
Gradually her grief appeared to ex-
haust itself. Her breathing came more
regular and calm. Her tears ceased tc
flow and at length her eyes and cheeks
were dry. Her head was pillowed on
her arm, and her face was half hidden
in flood of beautiful curls.
| The struggle was over. The agony
was passed. She saw Mr.. Wellington
enter, and arose cheerfully to receive
him. His manners pleased her-his
station and fortune fascinated her more.
He offered her his hand. She accepted
lit. A kiss sealed the engagement-but
it was not such a kiss as Frank had
given her, and she could scarce repress
a sigh!
There was magnificent wedding
Splendidly attired, dazzling the eye with
her beauty thus adorned, with every
thing around swimming in the charmed
atmosphere of fairy land, Kate gave
her hand to the man her ambition-not
her love-had chosenl
But certainly ambition could not have
made a better choice. Already she
saw herself surrounded by magnifi-
cent court of which she was the ac-
knowledged and admitted queen. The
fayors of fortune were showered upon
her; she foated luxuriously upon the
smooth and CLASSY wave of charmed
life.
Nothing was wanting in the whole
circle of her outward existence to adorn
it bright with happiness. But she was
not long in discovering that there was
something wanting within her breast.
Her friends we're numerous; her hus
band tender, k " and loving; but all
the attentions and affections could not
fill her heart. She had once felt its
cords of sympathy moved by a skillful
touch; she had Known the heavenly
charm of their deep, delicious harmony;
and now they were silent-motionless,
muffled, so as to speak, in silks and
satins. These chords still and sound
less, her heart was dead, none the less
so because it had been killed by a
golden shaft, having known and felt the
life of luxury. In short, Kate in time
became magnifcently miserable-splen
didly unhappy.
Then change beceme apparent to
her husband. He could not long re-
main blind to the fact that his love was
not returned. He sought the company
of those whose gayety might lead him
to forget the sorrow and despair of his
soul. This shallow joke was unsatis-
factory, however, and impelled by pow
erful longings for love, he went astray
to warm his heart by strange fire.
Kate saw herself now in the midst
of gorgeous desolation, burning with
thirst unquenchsble by golden streams
that flowed around her; painting with
hunger which not all the food of fat
terry and admiration could appease.
She reproached her husband for
deserting her thus, and he answered
with angry and desperate taunts of de-
ception and total lack of love, which
smote her conscience heavily.
"You do not care for me-" he cried
-'then why do you complain that 1
bestow elsewhere the affection that you
have met with coldness?"
"But it is wrong" sinful Kate re-
monstrated.
Eyes, know it''-said her husband
fercely. "It is the evil fruit of an evil
seed. And who sowed that seed?-
Who gave me hand without heart?
Who became sharer of my fortune,
but gave me no share in her sympathy?
Who devoted me to the fate of loving,
unloved husband? Nay, do not weep
and clasp your hands, and sigh and sob
with such desperation of impatience, for
l say nothing you do not deserve to
hear"
Every well," said Kate, calming
herself. 81 do not say that your re-
proaches are undeserved. But grant
ing that l am the cold, deceitful thing
you call me-you know this state Of
things cannot continue"
"Yes, / know it."
"Well."
Mr.. Wellington's brow gathered
darkly-his eyes flashed with determi-
nation-his lips curled with scorn.
"I have made up my mind" said he,
''that we should not live together any
longer. 1 am tired of being called the
husband of the splendid Mrs. Yelling
ton. 1 will move in my circle; you
shall shine in yours. l will place no
restraint on your actions, nor shall you
on mine. We will be free"
"But the world" shrieked poor Kate
trembling.
"The world viii admire you the same
and what more do you desire?"
asked her husband bitterly.
"This marriage of hands and not of
hearts, is mockery. We have played
the farce long enough. Few under
stand the true meaning of the terms
husband and wife; but do you know
what they should mean? Do you feel
that the only true union is that of love
and sympathy Then enough of this
mummery. Farewell, l go to consult
friends about the terms of separation.
Nay, do not trouble. and cry, and cling
to me now-I shall be liberal to you
AS much of my fortune shall be yours
as you desire.
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