The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-08-08
OF. WASHINGTON CITY AUGUST s 1857
FILTRATION.

.
:" The world would hardly be worth living IN II
it were nos or Irritation" exclaimed the gay and
thonghtess Isabel Lee, as she hughingly entered
her aunt's room
: hope You are not serious" she said.
There's nothing like Irritation !" cried the mcr.
ry Isabel. " But You look repropchhI--angry.r
On, am not angry" replied Mrs. Berford,
with melancholy smile
" But You arc dispcasedn
I" Your words awaken rccollecto.ss which caus.
me TO feel sad, Isabel; that's all ST down here
by my side, and you shall hear story Of one Of
my hirtalions, which may change your mind
Isabel sat down, looking thoughtful, aud her
aunt continued
"When ] was young like you, dear chisl, 1
was quite as gay and thouehtle,s az yourself 1
was called a coquettc and, shame TO confess IT,
gloried in the name, until the occurrence Of the
painful event am about 10 relate.
!" Hall q dozen times year-I used 10 visit c.,
and spend week or two ia the pleasant society
10 that place. There frequently met a pale
handsome sensitive young man, named Gborne,
who paid me very hatteiing attentions, making sle
the theme OF several poetic efusiops, aud with
whose partiality was very well pleased
~ was warned by many well-incaning friends
against encouraging the addresses Of 40 inn
pulsive person as Gilborne, who, they said was
more serious than !, and who,miglt end by falling
more deeply in love with me than expected or
desired. laughed at the idea, and finding the
attentions of the young poet still agreeable con
tinued to receive them until 1t was too late"
Too late How so, aunt9'
"Why to my astonishment, he one day made
passionate declaration Of love and offered me his
hand"
"And you did not love him ?"
"No, child, was merely pleased with him -
al "a
more than the result of sudden impulse, which
would pass away with my visit to c.. So re-
specially declined his Offer laughed at the idea Of
marrying at that age, and begged him to dismiss
the subject from his mind. On the following day
| left C, and returned home.
"Letters and poetry followed me- breathing the
most passionate DEVOTION and burning with the
eloquence of love. They bore no name, but
knew they were from Henry Gilborne but was
beginning to be very much annoyed took coun
sel with my friends, and resolved to send all future
epistles back to him unopened. / returned two
letters in this manner, and received no more; but
three or four weeks after, received a newspaper,
in which there was a sonnet addressed to me un.
der fictitious name, and signed with his initials.
He had discovered new mode of reaching me
with his passionate etfusions and from that time
sonnet or song, signed H. C. came to me
in the c. Gazette nearly every week
At this time Mr.. Berford was paying me his ad-
dresses He was one of natures noblcmen-frank,
generous firm in what he considered right, and,
gentleman in his manners. Having learned les
son from the unhappy termination OF my last hirta
tons, received Mr. Berfords attentions in differ
ent manner from what had been accustomed to
do and in short time we were married
The ceremony took place in church. loved
Mr.. Bedford. Gborne was at the moment quite
forgotten, and was perfectly happy. had not
thought to disturb the peace Of my mind tile
calm repose of my heart, which had willingly,
gladly given away-until, as we were passing
from the church, my eyes fell upon wild, hag.
gard figure, standing near the door.
Ii was Gilborne. His face was dreadfully pale
his lips ashy, his eyes cleaned with an unnatural
brightness, and he trembled in every limb. l
started, uttered a suppressed cry, and shuddering
clung to&sny husbands arm A pang went through
my heart-a pang of remorse and dread which
shall never forget
Whats the matter?" Edward asked. ! could
not reply, but he saw my eye fixed upon the hag.
gard object in the doorway, and knew why | shud.
dered, for had told him something Of my unfor-
tunatc Irritation.
" l. that Giborne ~ lac asked
"Yes, murmured.
BY this time all eyes were fixed upon the un.
happy man. II was not his pale face and wild
eye alone that attracted attention; his dress was
dsaranged; his long, dark hair fell in Gisordered
locks about his cheeks, and his garments were
covered with the dust Of travel But while all eyes
were fixed on him, his were fixed on me alone (;
and in my alarm and confusion, iet the blood al
frst iorsake my cheeks, then burn them like fire
GilboIno frll back as we approached the door
aud bowed solemnly with his hand on his heart ~
we passed out. | was glad 10 lose sight Of him.
aud | ardently hoped that his passion would be
cured
But ls image, al he stood there in the doorway,
haunted my BRAIN aud il was many hours before ]
could compose myself.
I was beginning however, 10 feel at ease again,
in the midst Of my wedding guests, when domes
tic came to me to say that person wished to see
me in the hall Thinking il was some invited
friend, who had arrived at late hour, | fastened
TO the door alone. Imagine my CONSERVATION,
when saw the wild figure Of Gibornc standing
before me.
" How DO you og" he asked, addressing me by
my maiden name. Won't YOU shake hands with
me?"
gave hi my hand.
"You tremble said he, fixing his wild eyes
upon my face ".You are not afraid Of me, |
hope?'
"0h, no, replied in an agitsted voice, Cor HE
strange manner frightened me, "why should | be
"No, thank you; you have company, | see, and
| make one guest too many And | am not
dressed for party" said he, glancng at his dis
ordered attire. SO you will excuse me. Ha
hal Wouldn't cut pretty figure ?"
But cannot talk with you here said l.
ooh, will not detain you minute. have
ha, hal have question to ask you which is
really so absurd, when think of t,'that cannot
help laughing They told me-" he said, in pleas
ant and confidential tone, "they told me--ha, ha !
think Of the thing--they told me that you were
married J" and he burst into a wild laugh.
~ know better" he continued, but they say
it is So and to satisfy them, determined to come
and ask you, for suppose you ought TO know, if
anybody You are married ba! hn hal | had
such queer dream ! thought | was 81 nding in
the church door, and saw you coming out with
your husband, and you would not speak to me.
Wasn't il queer? and | knew all the time you
would never marry anybody but me- And we are
not married yet, are we Butwho is here to.nighiT
| never saw you dressed so beautiful before Ah
he added, striking his forehead, :" | dreamed you
were dressed SO at your wedding"