The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-05-06
GBe 9ailg gpntnaL
LOVE AFTER MARRIAGE.
BY NARY W. s. GIBSON.
CONCLUDED

anniversary of her wedding night, and Alics
Grandson sat in her bohdfoT, .robed for a party
and only awaiting the arrival of her husband
| who was to escort her. The years had chang.
ed her little. she was fair and proud as ever
Her robe of azure yclvet--her coronet of pearls
and diamonds--her necklace with its heavy
diamond cross, her bracelets, and the single
ring she wore, were fit adornments for an en-
press, and right well did she become them. -
She was alone, and touching secret spring in
her private escritoi1e, she took from small
drawer, two miniatures cased in gold, and
+aid them side by side. One was that of her
dead lover the other that of her husband -
Leaning her head upon her hand, she gazed
lfong and earnestly at the two, and as her dark
leyes dimmed with tears, she could not but &C
knowledge the shadowy likeness that existed
between the loved and the unloved. 1t was
faint and shadowy one, but still it was no fan
cy. A something on the lips, cheek and brow
the same careless arrangement of the way
ing hair-and more than all, the same earnest
loving intensity of look and expression in the
deep blue eyes. This, never seen before, was
what now claimed her attention to 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
left the room. She rang, on reaching the draw
ing room, to ask for her husband. There was
a hustle and the sound OF many ieet in the hall
below, before her summons was answered, and
then the servant who entered looked pale and
frightened. strange, sicke1ing sensation
crept over her as she asked
Where is your master?'
The servant stammered, hesitated, and cast
strange looks towards the door. Dreading
she knew not what; she stepped out into the
hall and looked down the wide stairs. Four
men were ascending, bearing motionless
form between them. The long hair hanging
DOWN towards the floor, and from wound in
the forehead the dark red blood w.s flow .ng
freely. They stopped short when they saw
her awaiting them; they evidently dreaded
the scene but she was firm and caIm though
heavy at her heart lay the thought. Ii h. is
dead, how can forgive myself for the unhap-
piness have caused him!
Obeying her calmly spoken orders, they
laid HIM down upon sofa, in the splendid
drawing room. tie had been struck down.
before his own dwelling, by runaway horse,
and the family physician who was instantly
summoned, gave little hopes of his recovery
The wretched wife sat close bes d. him while
the unsightly wound was closed; his blood
flowed unheeded over her rich attire, and one
small white hand was crimsoned, as it held
his head; for the first time her pale lips press
d his own; for the first time she laid her cheek
to his, and called hlni by thousand endear-
ing names, for the first time the knowled &c
tnat she loved him came to bring her tenioid
misery. The estrangemcnt of years was for
gotten; the stone was rolled away from the
DOOR of heart, and its living waters gushed
out once more But he who would have
perilled lifs and limb for one unsolicited Car
ress from her, now lay pale and still while
she pressed him to her heart; and the love
that he had sought in vain during life, seemed
given only too late--only to waste itself upon
paid corpss-a gilded coffin and lonely
grave. tn
She watched beside him, day and night. in
the chamber where he had spent so many
lonely hours. Into this room she had scarce.
ly entered, since he had installed her mistress
OF his household; and everywhere she saw
such traces OF his love for her, as pierced her
very heart. In small alcove beyond his bed
hu, z her portrait, the first and last thing he
saw as he opened and closed his eyes. = small
inlaid cabinet held the gifts she had bestowed
upon HIM from time to time; a tavorte book-I
picture-a tress of dark brown hair--wIth-
cred boquets--a small golden star, and many
things which she had given tremendously or
lightly, which he had treasured as his choicest
possessions.
The glitter of golden chain upon his neck
attracted her attention as she bent above him
one night. Softy she drew it forth, and gazed
upon a splendid picture of herself set in a
small gold frame. She gazed in silence for 8
moment, but when upon the other side she
noticed ring,-the wedding ring that she had
never worn-her composurs gave way. Pride
had left her heart and love usurpe its place.
( hnr hU tha hnsis x-fi
the tears fell fast upon the dear hand that lay
feebly on the counterpane, she prayed as she
had never prayed before that God would spare
his life, that she might atone for her sin by
years of patient and enduring love.
Her prayer was heard, for God is msrciful
even when we sin most deeply. ALI night she
watched beside him. With the early dawn the
physician (now domeSticated in the house, en-
tered the room. He held the shrunksn hand
in his for one moment, gave one searching
glance into the marble like face, and turning TO
her, said briefly
Your care has saved him; he will live!'
Late in the afternoon Of that day Alice SO
beside the bed, waiting for the long deep si,lrn-
Der to be broken, that she might see those blue
eyes look up at her once again. She was
dressed as for bridal, in robe OF peariy
satin, with no ornaments save single Wnite
rose in her dark hair. and another on her
breast. The color deepened in her cheeks IS
the eventful hour drew near; her nne eyes
glowed and sparkled with the love so longim
prisoned, and SO suddenly set Tree
The Golden hands Of her watch pointed to
the hour of seven, when the sleeper moved
slightly. drew a long sigh, and opened his
ewes. She bent above him with a beating
heart; his gaze wandered uneasily around the
room, fixed upon her-kindled, and he tried
to smis. Very gently she passed her arm
j rapeAff4 the aching head and draw ft towards