Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-04-16
CHOICE LIg'GRATuRg.
Love After Marriage
BY MARY VI. S GIBSON.

Y 4
BY MARY VI. GIBSON.
No wooing had p9eceded marriage It
was merely marriage de conuenance, both
parties understood ami regarded it so. 1t
was not they that were married, bus the
broad lands and fertile estates of their par,
ents. Strange that any man, much more,
any woman, could stoop to SO false an act
But Hugh Grandson might and would have
loved bis beautiful bride, had it not been
for the stately GOODNESS of her demeanor
he had been unsoiled by contact with the
world and longed for happiness and home.
Alice Charlton cared little for either, and
still less for him. p 5er first girlhood she
had plghted Bef taFssl h one who left her
for time, and 'died in far-otf land of
gold-died before one word or message
could be sent to her be loyed-died alone
and among strangers, 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. She was in her own
elegant home surrounded by brilliant cir
Gle Of guests, while Hugh Grandson leaned
over her chair, ana bent his admiriBg eye
upon her qneenly 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 a shrek of agony her
large dark eyes wandered round the group
with gaze Of passionate despair. The
wondering looks Of all around recalled her
to herself, and making graceful apology
for her sudden a,,Eraetion, she played her
part s., stsccessft' 74qlaT no one guessed
d the secret she guarded with Spartan like
: frmness.
! Not until she vas alone in her chamber
did the storm burst forth. She mourned
: as she had loved, most deeply and pas
o sionately, but to the world she seemed un-
:. moved A little colder-a little laughter
e "a little more inpatient of out spoken
5, admiration and love, she seemed; but feel
Il ing was questionable In her exclusive
: circle, and none knew, or carried to know,
: that the heart beating within her breast,
was heart of stone.
IS A year passed away The father of
ID Alice seeing that sle was in no way inclin-
d, ed to choose one FEM her many lovers,
u chose for her. and selected Hugh Grandi-
u u son as his future son-in law The young
!, !, man was only toi eager and willing to ac-
st cept the fair haIiisoffered him, but when
he her father brougc him to her as an ac-
z kaowledged love-, she checked all his rap
IN lures and saidssSAA1tsiiffJJ--
rs "Mr. Grandisfn let US have a perfect
i', re understanding , do not love you; | new
> er shall love" lock of pain shot over
no her calm face as he repressed the world
af, ''again. She Eused for moment, anG
hit then went on, witt her cold dark eyes ben
a full upon his face
tie " But my fathe wishes US to marry
"o your parents wish it-yon wish it, aud
am not opposed Il the measure. But beI
ter you to understand distinctly that. while
,st. give wife's duty you must never look fo
fol- her love or bhne submission. From th
moment we leave the altar, our lives mus
are be separate, though or home is one. 0
ger these conditions, and these only, will Civ
lhs you my hand Ire they accepted
9 ca az The young mal stood for moment b
- wildered. There was no mistakipg he
words or manner, Those clear dark eye
I, that scornful lip ind naughty brow, assu
mr.. ed hin that she lad spoken the truth, an
ent No love was there; bot he had long chelisl
e a ed passion fer ber, and hoping that b
hos fervent love might win some affection
return, when thel were one in the eyes
.ho the world, he claEped the small, fair han
ndv .l in his, raised it tp his lp~, aud answered
,w1 "I accept. And it shall be the study
son my ike to makeeoa happy"
was g Be it So" wis her unmoved reply, al
ser then she left hin.
zach Tho engaoem,nt wac coon made nnhl
u. and all eyes wen curiously scanning t
,rom mms happy pair TIE, could find no fault wi
ear. ar the iii concealed devotion Of the lover; a
Gee The calm, unmofed way in which Ali
ront received his attentionst or listened to
ling whispered words. was acknowledged to
loak the very perfection of high breeding.
- a,sS - queen could not be more TRANQUILITY Sc
: b;s possessed" was The general verdict, as
the looked eagerly forward TO the bridal
d hy 1t came ere long, on bright sunny sprl
par day. The splendid parlors were filled W
lg.- the fashionable friends of both parties, d
ia murmur of kongratulation greeted
az al II lovely bride as Nhe turned from the al
" . ths @ with cheeks and lips as white as the suc
elf Of satin robes she wore. She received I
lrned first caress as ealmly as though he v
other but one OF the gltteriug throng arol
!laver her. and when all had wished her ioy.
J. but retired to her. apartments preserved
,aten- al y. unbroken silenee, while her dressing
ciallY tooeu nei ~ W pau H.'einne u,ess,
for be joined tue parry once egaln, attlreo Tor
come journey. Calmly and coldiy We're all
refore farewells spoken but when she came tc