The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-06-20

Of her wedding night, and AL
ce Grandson sat in her boudoir, rooed Tor
. party, and only awaiting the arrival oil her
husband who was to escor, her. Two years
,ad changed her little. She was fair and
proud as ever. He: robe Of aru'e velvet
her corone, Of pearls and diamonds-her
necklace, with its heavy diamond cross, her
bracelets, and the single ring she wore, were
ct adornmsnts for an empress, and right
well did she become them. She was Alone
and touching secrc, spring in her private
sseritoir, she took from small drawer two
miniatures cased in gold. and laid them side
by side. One was that Of her dead lover ;
the other, OF her husband. Leaning herb head
upon her hand, she sazed long and earnest
ly a, the two, as her dark eyes dmmed Win
tears, she could not but acknowledge the
shadowy likeness that existed between the
loved aud the unloved. I, was a faint and
shadowy one, but still j, was no fancy. A
something on the lip, cheek and brow-'he
same careless arrangement, Of the waving
hair-and more than all, the same earnest
loving intensity Of look and expression in
the deep blue. eyes. This. never seen be-
fore, was what now claimed her attention 10
both.
The small pendule over the mantle piece
struck the hour of nine, and with deep
sigh she replaced the portraits in the drawer,
and lell the room. She rang, on reaching
the drawing-room, TO ask for her husband
There was hustle aud the sound Of many
feet in the hall below before the summons
was answered, and then the servant who en-
tered looked pale aud frightened. A strange,
sensation erep, over her as she
asked:
"Wherc is your master !"
The servant stammercd, hesitated, and
cast strange looks towards the door. Dread
ing she knew not what, she stepped out in
to the hall, and looked down the wide stairs.
Four men were ascending, bearing motion
less form between them. The long hair
was hanging down towards the floor, and
from a wound in the forehead the dark red
blood was flowing freely. They stopped
'hOr, when they saw her awaiting them =
hey evidently dreaded the scene, but she
vas firm and calm, though heavy at her
heart lay the thought, "lf he is dead, how
AN forgive myself for the unhaPpiness
iayc caused him"
Obeying her calmly spoken orders, they
aid him down upon tho sofa in the splendid
He had been struck down,
before his own dwelling, by runaway
,orse, and the family physician who was in
family summoned, gave little hopes OF his
ecoyery. The wretched vile 50, close be-
Tide him while the unsightly wound was
his blood flowed Undecided over her
ich attire, and one small white hand was
.rimsoned as i, held his head for the first
line her pale lips pressed his own; for The
irsi time she laid her cheek 10 his, aud
allied him by thousand endeaTing names
Or the first time the knowledge that she
owed him came to bring her ,enfOld misery.
The enlargement of years was fOrgolien;-
he stone was rolled away from the door oil
Ter heart, and its living waters gushed out
nee more. Blu, he who would have periIl-
d life and limb for one unsolicited caress
rom her, now lay pale and still while she
,ressed him to her heart; and the love that
'e had sought in vain during life, seemed
;iven only too Inie-Only to waste itself up
IA pallid cOrpse-a gilded coffin and
Onely grave!
She watched beside him day and night,
n the chamber where he had spen, so many
onely hours. Into this room she lad scarce
y entered since he had installed her, mis-
ress Of his household; and everywhere she
aw such traces Of his love for her as pierced
er very heart. In q small alcove beyond
lis bed, he had placed her portrait. Ii was
he fins, and last thing he saw as be opened
nd closed his eyes. A small inlaid cabin
I held the gifts she had bestowed upon
i'm from time 10 time; a favoritc book
picturc-a tress OF dark brown hair-with-
red bOquets-a small golden star, and
Many thing which she had given ceremO-
iously or lightly, which no had treasured
$ his choicest possessions.
The glitter OF golden chain upon his
eek attracted her attention, as she bent
boye him one night. Softly she drew il
or,h, and gazed upon a splendid picture OF
erseli, set in a small gold frame. She gaz.
a in silence for u moment, bu, when upon
he other side she noticed ring, the wedd-
NJ gift that she hao never worn, her COM
osurc gave way. Pride had leh her heart,
nj love usurped its place. Sinking upon
Ter knees by the bedside, while her tears
ell fast upon the dear hand that lay fsebly
lpOn the counlcrpane, she prayed as she
rad never prayed before, that God would
pare his life, that she might atone for her
in by years of patient and enduring love.
Her prayer was heard, for God is merci-
al. even when we sin most deeply. All
,igh, she watched beside him. With the
,arly dawn the physician (now homestead
ID in the house) entered the room. He
held the shruuksn hand in his for one mo-
nent, gave one searching glance into the
marble face, and turning to her, said
briefly
"lOur care has saved him he will live y
Late in the afternoon Of tina, day, Alice
sa, beside the bed, waiting for the long deep
slumber to be broken, tina, she might see
those blue eyes look up at her once again.
She was dressed as for bridal, in a robe OF