Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-03-28


the ancient walls, it stunned me for a
second.
A wild cry, confusedswaying of the
crowd, the bride sinking in her bride
groom's arms, a momentary hush, and
then some enc sprang to the open win
dows, and all was hurry and pursuit.
1 seized my neighborss arm; she strug-
gled, but 1 dragged her on; and while
eyes were peering into she darkness, and
rapid feet were close upon as, we gained
the little gate and wera safe. She was
quieter now, only her hand was marble
cold, and she muttered:
"My darlings, my poor 6orsaken dar-
lingsl"
| led her into the silent park which bor-
ders that portion of the city, and seated
her on the bench.
The stars twinkled ADORE our heads,
restlessly, it appeared to me, and with a
feverish, uncertain CLEAN. There was
no calm anywhere. Did tie tumultuous
beatings of that sorrowful heart fill the at
mosphere, and make even heaven's lights
burn ftfully?
1t was not noisy, it was not rough; ii
was wild, silent, desperate throb.
"How came you here' she said, al
last, turning upon me. g You were with
me in the garden?' ?'
"I was. I followed yol. You have
made me eager to serve and comfort
you"
" Comfort me Listen. That house
which we have just left was once mine
There I lived its proud and idolized mis-
tress. That youngbrideis nv daughter, my
own fair-haired Emma. My petted boy
my darling Horace, you saw him, did vol
not? They clung to me, they were 81
young. Yes, [ left them!''
She paused.
"I scarcely know your name, but lat
terly I have seen that you feel for me
that you pity me. You are an old man
| My heart is breaking tonight God helE
me! I thought it had broken long ago
it is years since 1 have permitted mysel
the luxury of friendly word. l neve
lspeak. When was a woman beautiful
) and admired, men used to worship m,
wit, and bow down before my sarcastic
eloquence. It is one of my penances nov
to be silent, to permit myself no relaxation
from this strict VOW. But tto-night ] mus
; speak"
, as she not lovely, my gentle Emma
Did you see the bridegroom? know
him. He is cruel, heartless, cold, selfish
: unwarmed by a single virtue or even vice
! He feels too little to be even wicked
All is calculation. Hard as adament
unbending as the steadfast rock, he wi
crush my darling's timid spirit. He wi
: not i'll use her, but she viii die from shee
want of sympathy. He will sneer at he
: girlish feelings and put down her risin
:, thoughts.
d "He is twelve years her senior, an
marries her for her fathers gold"
" How long is it since 1 deserted them
) My brain wanders tonight" she put bac
d her tangled hair, and beat upon her kne
h with her thin hand.
r "I was very beautiful, very haught,
. I could not brook control; and, in m
II wrath, meeting each day a will strivin
to be stronger than my own, l grew re
n tive. Life to me was such weary bus
h ness. He came, did I love him? I
1t not know. Was it vanity or passion? =?
g yearning after some powerful interest
y a mere outburst of fretted pride? I ca
y not tell now. Then L thought it lo'
? stronger than reason.
e "Five years Ireigned the tainted que,
le Of dishonored homage. Who so brigl
y so grandly towering in the midst of h
q, hollow court?
4 One day new light broke upon n
In full career, with not a charm impaire
it with not a wrinkle to warn my cheek th
" time was feeting past, with no tarni
S, on my lips or brow, in the plentitude
r my meridian glory, I turned with digr
is from revelry, and empty vicious joys.
& 1t was safety. 1t palled upon n
III 1 pined for my children's pure kisses.
ne hated the train of bold, bad men who VIZ
III shipped and despised me. IIoathed {
Is, painted, neretricious who formed my
e. eiety. With fearless seorn I bade the
de farewell. ] tore the jewels from my ar
and brow, and gave the wages of sin
he feed the poor and clothe the naked.
no at was a night ike this, when,
es sembling the wicked, careless crowd
NO one last festival, more superb than ey
in robes so costly that the women abb
me "paled in their Intellectual fires