True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-08-27
Goo0 Storp.
LOVE AFTER MARRIAGE.
DY MARY W. 8. GIBSON.

No wooing had preceded the marriage,
Ii was merely a marriage de convenance
both parties con sidered it SO. 1t was
not they that were married, but The broad
lands and fertile estates of their parents.
Strange that any man, and much more
any woman, could sloop 10 so false an ACT |!
But Hugh Grandson might and would
have loved his beautiful blide, had it not
been for the stately GOODNESS of her de-
meanor; he had been unsoiled by con-
tact with the world, and longed for hap
piness and home. Alice Carlton cared
little for either, and still less for him. In
her first girlhood she had plighted her
faith TO one who had left her for time.
and died in far off land Of gold-died be-
fore one word or message could be sent 10
her he loved-died alone and among stIsn-
gers, and was buried where her tears could
never moisten the turf ON his breast.
They told the tidings to Alice, little
dreaming that the lonely adventurer had
been aught to her. Size was in her eIe-
giant home, surrounded by brilliant cir.
Gle of guests, while Hugh Grandson lean
ed over her chair and bent his eyes upon
her queenly face and form. She heard
the speaker through; the rich color died
slowly out Of her cheeks, leaving her
white and stern; her lips shut firmly as if
they would repress shrek agony; her
large dark eyes wandered around the
group will, gaze of despair. The Won.
dering of all around called her to herself,
and making graceful apology for her
sudden abe,raction, she played her parI
so successfully, that no one guessed the
score, she guarded with Spartan.like firm
ness. .......
Not until she was alone in her chamber,
didth storm burst forth. She moaned
as she had loved, most deeply and pas.
sionately, but to the world she seemed
anmoyed. A little coder-a little haugh
tier-a little more impatient of outspoken
admiration and love, she seemed; but
feeling was questionable i'll her exclu-
sve circle, and none knew or cared to
know, lHHb tuC HCdlJ UCuItub hSi
breast was heart Of stone.
A year passed away. The father of
Alice seeing that she was in no way in
clined to choose one from her many lovers,
chose for her, and selected Hugh Grandi-
son as his future son-in-law. The young
man was only too eager and willing 10
accept Tie fair hand offered him, but Wien
her father brought him to her as an ac-
knowledged lover, slie checked all his
captures and said coolly- .,....
"Mr. Grandson let us have a perfect
understanding. ! do not love you; |
never shall love "a look Of pain shot
over her calm face as she suppressed the
word again" She paused for mo-
mcnt, and then went on, with her cold
dark eyes bent full upon his face.
But my father wishes US to marry
your parents wish it-,you wisll'il, and /
am not opposed 10 the measure. But |
beg you 10 understand distinctly that
while / give wife's duty, you must nev.
er look for her 1--we or blind submission.
From lhe moment we leave the altar,
our lives must be seperue though our
home is one. On these conditions, and
these only, | will give you my hand, Are
they accepted.
The young man stood for moment
bewildered. There was no mistaking
her words or manner. Those clear dark
eyes, that scornful lip 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 his fervent love would win
some affection in return, when they were
one in the eyes Of the world, he clasped
the small, fair hand in his, raised 1t t
his lips, and answered. -
II accept. And ii shall be the duty
of nv life 10 make you happy"
.Be It so" was her unmoved reply
and then she left him.
The engagement was soon made pub
lie, aud all eyes were curiously scanning
the happy pair. They could fnd no faul
with the i'll concealed devotion Of tht
lover; and the calm, unmoved way with
which Alice received his atientiots, OF
listened to bis whispered words, was ac
knowledged to be the perfection Of higl
breeding. IA Queen could not be NOR
TRANQUILITY self.possessed," was the genera
verdict, as all looked eagerly forward !,
the bridal. l.. s.. 4.
1T came ere long, on a bright SUNNY
spring day. The splendid parlors wer
filled with the fashionable friends Of both
and murmer Of congratulation greetet
the lovely bride as she turned from tn
altar with cheeks and lips as white as TIN
snowy satin robes which she wore She
received the first caresses as calmly a
though he we're but one Of the glitterinI
throng around her; and when all hat
wished her joy, she retired to her apart
ments preserved an unbroken silence
while her dressing maid robed her in he