True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-03-15
STEUBENVILLE, OHIO, THVRspAy, MARCH Is, 1856.

heart was full of bitter imnginings. TO
see the prize he sued for, and so long cal
led his own, given to careless stranger
to gaze upon another kneeling where none
but he had a right to kneel-O, God
how she must have fallen.
When next Allan Everard met his wife,
there was deep, bitter scorn written iu
every feature, and the glance of his eagle
eye told her every innermost thought was
read yet she quailed not beneath the
naughty look, but rather strove to return
it. There passed angry and passionate
words between them-bitter upbraidings
and mutual accusations-and he. who had
promised "to love and CHERISH" bade his
wife begone from his presence, and prayed
never to see her face again. Twice she
waited not to be told and from that hour,
neither Lucy Everard nor the handsome
stranger were seen at Rosedell. This was
woman's love.
All these thoughts passed through Allan
Everard's mind, and there came no sorrow,
for pride whispered he had acted rightly,
and the teachings Of love were all hushed.
No prayer passed his lips for the erring
one-no wish that God would lead her
back in repentance.
Far away from the calm, quiet Rosedell,
in the crowded city, dwelt Lucy Everard.
The air that played among her silken tres
ses was close and confined, while hum of
many voices and rattling vehicles drove
all thoughts of peaceful harmony from her
mind. Her hands were tightly clasped,
and her eyes fixed on the floor with pain
full intensity. Was her heart weary al
ready of this new path, and bitter regrets
her portion? No, none of these, for she,
too, was proud
There came thoughts of an early home,
and mothers yoice-then her first deep
sorrow, with the full, rich tones of stran-
gers sympathy, and all the wild love she
had lavished on him. True, he had be-
friended her-his bounty had surrounded
her path with every luxury that wealth
and ardent love could suggest and when
he bore her to the cottage home at Rose
dell, her young heart was full of joy and
happiness. Her child, her blue-eyed boy
had been connecting link between them,
and God only knew how she loved both.
Why her husband had changed in his love
for her she could not tell; but she noted
his moody silence and compressed lips,
and turned away seeking gayer ones. Her
heart was filled with warm, ardent blood
that stiffness like his, well nigh CONCEALED
what wonder, then, if she willingly lh-
tened to serpent, whose winning tongue
and skilfully arranged words fell as balm
on her sad spirit. If her husband loved
as he had said, why did he not strive to
retain the jewel he had won? She had
been the creature of his bounty-too easily
won perhaps-but slightly schooled in the
world-not his equal, for she must smile
when he smiled, even if her heart was
breaking, and weep when he wept, though
it were the gayest hour of her life. Proud,
arbitrary, and selfish, oh how blinded she
had been, when, in young dreams of bliss
she fancied him almost more than perfect
and, as the bitter words and scornful looks
came over her heart again, she sprane
from her seat and paced the floor, while
her thoughts formed themselves into
words.
ooh, God !" she murmured, "to be tolc
there was blight on my brow, and sin il
my heart-that love for a stranger haG
perjured my soul Never did l dream
such words would pass his lips. And b,
driven from my home a wanderer-a fugi
tive-cast upon strangers charity-oh
this is indeed bitter Well, be it so
Day by day I will toll for my bread ant
when health, strength, and all are gone,
can die in stranger land, and for charity
sake they will not refuse me burial. Thil
is mans love-" And the proud woman
threw back her silken tresses, exposing
pure, transparent forehead, and tearles
eyes, for there came no regret, no sigh
pride had well nigh drank up the spirit o
love.
Ere long she knelt beside her couch
and in that moment pride gave way I,
memory There were soft wings rustlinl
against her heart--tOnes that fell in sil
very cadence, half wreathing the word