The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-06-20
LOVE AFTER MARRIAGE.
ny MARY w. $. GIBSON.

No WooihS uau Ptcceucu tuo uiaft"Se
II was merely a marriage de eonrmanes-
both parties understood and regarded 1t so.
II was no, they that were married, but the
broad lands and fertile estates OF their par
en,s. Strange that any man, mach more,
any woman, could s,oop to so false an &C,
But Hugh Grandson might and would have
loved his beautiful bride, had j, no, been
for the stately GOODNESS Of her demeanor -
he haI been unsoiled by contact with the
world, and lOnsed for happiness and home.
Alice Charlton cartd little for either, and
still less for him. In her first girlhood she
had pligh.ed her faith to one who LETT her
for time, and died in far-of land Of gold
died before one word or message could be
sent to her he loyed-died alone and among
strangers, and was buried where her tears
could never moisten the turf on his breast.
They told the iidings to Alice, little dream
ing that the lonely adventure had been aush'
to her. She was in her own elegant home
surrounded by brilliant circle OF guests,
while Hugh Grandson leaned over her chair,
and bent his admiring eyes upon her queen
~ face and form. She heard the speaker
through; The rich color died slowly out Of
her checks, leaving her white and sieIn;-
her lips shut firmly as if they would repress
shrek Of agony; her large dark eye wan
dered round the group with gaze Of pas
siona,c despair. The wondering looks of all
around recalled her to herself, and making
a graceful apology for her sudden abstrae
,ion, she played her part so successfully,
,ha, no one guessed tho secre, she guarded
with Spartan like tirmness.
No, until she was alone in her chamber,
did the storm burst forth. She mourned as
she had loved, most deeply and passionate
ly, bu, to world she seemed unmoyed. A
little colder little haughtier-a little more
impatient Of out-spoken admiration and love,
she seemed bu, feeling was Questionable
in her exclusive circle, and none knew or
cared 10 know, the heart beating within her
breast, was heart Of stone.
A year passed away. The father OF Alice
seeing tina, she was in no way inclined to
choose one from her many lovers, chose for
her, and selected Hugh Grandson as his iu-
ture. son-in-law. The young man was only
too eager and willing 10 accep, the fair hand
Offered him, bu, when her father brought
him to her as an acknowledged lover, she
checked all his raptures, and said coldly-
"Mr. Grandson, lie, US have a perfec, un.
Outstanding. 10 not love you; | never
shall love" look Of pain shot over her
calm face as she depressed the word 'again.
She paused fora moment, and then wen, on,
with her cold dark eyes bent full upon his
face:
"But my father wishes US 10 mary-your
parents wish i,-you wish it. aud am no,
opposed to the measure. Blu, bes you 10
understand distinctly tina, while l give
wiie's duty, you must never lcOk for her
love or blind submission. From the mo-
men, we leave the altar, our lives must be
separate. though our house is one. On these
conditions, and these only, will give you
my hand. Are they accepted ln
The young man stood for u momen, be-
wildered. There was no mistaking her
words or manner. Those clear dark eyes,
that scornful lip and naughty brow, assured
him that she bad spoken the truth and no
love was there /; bu, no had long cherished
passion Tor her, and hoping that his fer
ven, love might win some affection in re-
turn, when they were one in the eyes ofihe
world, he claspod the small, fair hand in
his, raised it to his lips, and answered,
IL accept. And il shall be the study OF
my lie 10 make you happy"
"Be il So" was her unmOyed reply, and
then she left him.
The engagement was soon made public,
and all eyes were cuIiously scanning the
happy pair. They could find no fault with
the III concealed devotion Of the lover; and
the calm, unmoyed way in which Alice re-
ceiyed his attentions, or listened TO his whis-
pered words was acknowledged to be- the
very perfection OF high breeding. "Aqucen
could not be more TRANQUILITY self possessed
was the general verdict, as all looked eag-
erly forward 10 the bridal.
In they came ere long, on brisl, sunny
spring day. The splendid parlOrs were filed
with the fashionable friends Of both parties,
and a murmur Of cOnsratula,ion greeted the |
lovely bride as she turned from the altar
with cheeks and lips as white as ihcsnowy !
satin robes she wore. Her husband pressed
his lips to her cheeks. She received tina,
first carcss as calmly rs though he were but
one Of the slit,eTins ,hrOns around her, aud
when al had wished her joy, she retired to
her apartments, preserved an unbrOEen sill
enee, while her dressing maid robed her in
her plain travelling dress, and joined the par
ty once again, atlired for her journey
Calmly and cOldly were nl her farewells
pokcn; but when she came 10 her father,
hcr forced cOmpOsure gave way, and throw
nc her arms around his neck, she elung TO
him moment in silent, fearless agony. /,
was her last display Of weakness. She
heard his parting blessing, ard sitting by
the side o. her husband was whirled rapid.
ly away from the home Of her childhood.
A month elapsed before the pair returned
to occupy the elegant mansion, far Sup
town." But in month strange change
had taken place in Grandson. Ile seemed
restless. uneasy and agiia,ed; he followed
the stately movements Of his wife with anx.
ious eyes; he was unhappy in her society,
and wrciched away from her side; in short
II Il 81