Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1856-08-07
Nlisfellolleolls.
LOVE AFTER MARRIAGE.
BY MARY W. s. GIBSON.

No woong had preceded the marriage. 1t
was merely a marriage de cOnpenance-b both
parties understood and regarded il so. 1t was
moi they that was married, but the broad lands
and fertile estates of their parents. Strange
thai arv man, and much more, any woman,
cf so false an act But Hugh
GIasS and would have loved MS
beautilli bride, had II not been for the stately
coldness OF her demeanor; he had been un-
soi,ed by contaS. with The world, and longed
for happiness and home. Alice Carlton cared
little ior either, and still less for him. In her
first girdhood she hau plghted her faith 10
one who left her for time, and died in far
of land Of god--died before one word or mes
sage could he sen. TO her he loyed--died alone
an1 amang strangers, and was buried where
her tears could never moisten the teri on his
breast
They told The tidings 10 Alice, little dream
ing that the lonely adventurer had been aught
to her. She was in her elegant home, sur
rounded by brilliant circle Of guests, while
HughG.andison leaned over her chair, ambient
his eyes upon her qneenly face and form. She
heard the speaker through; he rich color died
slowly out Of her cheeks, leaving her white
and stern; her lips shut firmly as il they would
Iepress shrek Of agony; her large dark eyes
wandered around the group with a gaze oi
passloliale despair. The wondering of all
GROUND .ecalled her 10 herself, and making
graceful apology for her sudden abstraction,
she played her part SO successfully, that no
one guessed The secret she guarded with Spar
ian like ifniness.
Not until she was clone in her chamber, did
the storm burst forth. She monrned as she
had loyeJ, most deeply and passionately, but
to tha warld she scanned unmOVed. LITTLE
colder--a little haughtier-a little more impa-
tient OF outspoken admiration and love, she
seemed; but feeling was questionable in her
exclu i've circle,.an none knew, or cared to
kpow, that the heart beating within her breast
was heart Of stone.
A year passed away. The father Of Alice,
seeing that she was in no way inclined 10
chose one from her many lovers, chose for her,
and selected Hugh Grandson as his future son
in law. The young man was only too eager
and willing TO accept the fair hand offered
him, but when her father brought him to her
as on acknowledged lover, she checked all his
raptures, and said coldly--
"Mr. Grandson let US have perfect under.
standing. do not love you; never shall
ioyep--a look OF pain shot over her calm face
os she suppressed the word "agoin." She
paused for moment, and then went on, with
her cold dark eyes bent full upon bis face.
ssBut my father wishes us 10 marry-your
parents wish il--you wish il, and am not oP-
posed 10 the measure. But beg you 10 un-
dersland distinctly that, while give wife's
duty, you must never look for her love or blind
submission. From the moment we leave the
altar, our lives must be separate, though our
home Is one. On these conditions, ond these
only, ! will give you my hand. are they ac-
cepted
The young man stood for a moment bewil.
dered. There was no mis,aking her words or
manner. Those clear dark eyes, that scornful
lin and naughty brow, assured him that she
had spoken the truth, and no love was there;
but he had long cherished passion for her,
and hoping that bis lervent love would win
some affection in return, when they were ore
Ia the eyes OF the world, he clasped the small,
iair hand in his, raised II 10 his lips, and ans
wered,
81 accept. And II shall be the duty Of my
life 10 make you happy.
"Be itso," was herunmoyed reply, aDd then
she left him.
The engagement was soon made public, and
all eyes were cufiously scanning the happy
pair. They could find no fault with the i'll
concealed devotion OF the lover; and the calm,
unmoved way in which Alice received his at
teDtions, OF listened 10 his whispered words,
was acknowledged to be the perfection OF
high breeding. "a Queen could not be more
TRANQUILITY selfpossessed," was The general
verdict, as all looked eagerly forward 70 ihe
bridal
It came ere long, on bright sunny spring
day. The splendid parlors were filled with
the fashionable friends OF both, and murmnr
or congratulaton greeted the lovely bride as
she iurned from the altar with cheeks and lips
swhite as the snowy satin robes she wore.
She received his FIRST caress Fs calmy as though
he were but one ofth gliliering thTong around
hefj and when all had wished her Joy, she re-
tired 10 her apartments, preserved an unbIoken
silence, while her dressing maid fobed her II
her plain travelling dress, and joined the party
ooee again, fiiir6d for ner journey. Calmly