Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-06-10
q bOite gittratnre,
THE RASH MARRIAGE.
CHAPTER y1I-coNT1NuED.
BY A NEW CONTRIBUTOR,

CHAPTER VII-CoNT1NUED.
"Ycu have heard some bad news, dear
Willls-let me share it with you;" and twi-
ming her arms about him, she laid her head
tenderly on his shoulder.
Forcibly he extricated himself from her
embrace.
Let me alone, Adelaide, unless you would
drive me mad Is it not enough for me to
know that for FIVE long years you have acted
lie, without being mocked in this way now?
Adelaide sunk upon q chair, with cheek
white as ashes. The hour that she had so
long instinctiyely dreaded, had come-she
was sure of (which way should she turn
she attempted to speak, but, though her lips
moved, no audible sound came forth.
would rather have died. Adelaide her
husband continued more calmly, would
rather have died, than to have heard what
did last night-the admission of your love
for another. [ have never once dreamed,
during those years that you have slept so
quietly by my side, that the heart that nestled
so closely to my own, was all the while filled
with another's image. Oh, Adelaide, why
have you deceived me thus?'
Adelaide threw herself at his feet and
buried her face in her hands.
1T was the admission of a past love that
you heard, of a love that was dead and buried
long ago. Oh, my husband, my husband
do not turn from me hear my story before
you condemn. 1have done very, very, wrong;
but am not the false and guilty thing you
deem me- she exclaimed, twining her arms
about his knees to detain him. Indeed, in.
deed, am not. Sit down here, and let me
explain t his matter to you. | will stay here
at your feet-I will not touch you if you do
not like-but, oh ! listen to me this once!'
Explain it if you can. Oh, Adelaide
have believed you so good-so pure aud
truep G....
. With faltering tongue-for before she
had proceeded far with her tale she felt that
every word she uttered was doing her cause
more harm than good. Adelaide told her
husband the whole story of her engagement
with George Tilden-of their quarrel and
their separation. Mr.. Fletcher's brow grew
dark as he listened.
And when did this happen-this difficult
ty between you?
In September, 18-.'
And we were married the next January
We were. Oh, Willis, do not look so
sternly at me-my heart is breaking'-and
she clasped her hands tightly over it, while
her eyes sought his imploringly.
There is no danger mine would have
broken last night if hearts were not made of
'sterner stuff than we think them,' repGess,
her husband. as ha2nrned upon.her D. glart1
half told vet; why drd you marry I'm r}5eF
Adelaide's eyes fell beneath, the stern,
searching gaze that seemed to pierce her very
SOUL She tried to speak, but she could not
Speak, woman-why did you marry me?
Why did you bring me worn, and wasted,
and unloving heart, in exchange for one that
had never thrilled at the sound of any other
voice than yours? You do not pretend that
YOU loved me-why did you become my wife?'
She did not answer. What could she say
that would in any way soften her husbands
heart. She could not tell him-while he was
gazing so steadily and earnestly upon her
! and while his cold, stern voice was benumb
ing every faculty of her soul-of the wron!
motives that had led her to the altar-of tn
nride and resentment that had hurried he
on. She could not tell him how earnestl
she had tried to atone for the wrong she ha
/ done him-how resolutely she had strive
with every vestige of her earlier love-hoE
faithful she had been to him, even in though
ever since she had been his wife, and ho'
deeply and fervently she now loved him.
: She knew he would think it was all mocker
"A part of the farce she was playing an
so she kept silent while the tears raine
( through her fingers. Mr.. Fletcher's keel
! steady gaze never wavered for moment
:. and after waiting vainly for reply, he a
; proached still nearer to his trembling wifi
: and bent.his head until it nearly touched b
own.
: L will tell you why you married me, Ad
n laide Fletcher-me who so trusted you
V Won married me because | was richly
Is sold Yourself for my cursed gold! Fool th
e was to think that you loved me! | fore
;. ;. that was rich, and that you were not
II forgot that in a woman's eye wealth is
: more worth than her own truth and purit
Ie and really thought when you promised
< become my wife it was because | was dc
to you You were not as good an actr'
~ when we were first married rs you have sir
>. bocome-you had not learned your lesson
a. : nerfectly, and sometimes thought you c.
4 and distant, but latterly-oh, you have pl
SIS ed YOUR part well You are weeping wild
tn Do YOU piS4 -, Adelaide Fletcher? Pa J
ce indeed think it is terrible thing for a n
M to learn that his wife-his own wife
who has slept 10 his bosom. and whom
has trusted so entirely, has been all the WI
mocking him with a pretended love?
NAV we'll do it, for it is a bitter thing;
los | tell YOU, woman, at this moment pity
more than do myself. You have sold y
VI birthright for a mess of pottage and X
wv YOU repent it--you would give worlds n
10 we're they yours. ifyou could undo this d
and be free to place your hand where J
10 heart is
,pi- sOh no, not that-not that Have m
,or upon me Willis, and do not say that
the agonized reply-for, Adelaide forgo
de- the misery of this last thought the first ch
de- that her husband had brought against ht
.or, L would not be his wife if we we're
80 free gave him the love of a light and
In0. less girl give you that which is far 81
mas ger and deeper. that of full grown
lety mans heart Do not doubt me. Willis
, is notP she whispered. and in her abar
lity. ment, her long rich tresses. escaping
he the fillet that confined them, fell heavil
!, = on the floor She trembied, violently,
- Willis raised her and placed her upo
soou sofa. As he did so she threw her ar
ded. bout him, but he quickly removed them
very ing ironically as he did so:
nee, you are an excellent actress, Adels
may YOU might make your fortune on the
AS look at you, weeping and tremblir
clinging to me, could almost imagin
raor YOU are in earnest
.0o L am, | am! Oh, Willis, if you COZ
A.sn' ly read my hearth
5ala- I have been trying for years, and
entirely; I shall not be fool. enough t.