The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-09-26

ic IeHoiFeu 10 prOtract MS absence, so long as
ne had reasonable excuse. :" must write and
MORN her OF the change in my plan, thought he
!" deceney demands it, yet how can I write Ny
dear Julia my dear wife No such thing-sho
is not dear to me!
I, Ce cGur au inoins, dhicie domter,
Ne peut aimer nj par orde DUN pere,
| Nj par raison."
She is my wife--she is Mis-. Westbury--she is
mistress Of my house and must share my fortune
let that suffice her! 1t mnst have been for these
that she married me. A nanrc fortune an
| elegant establishment Mean! ambitious heart
! less Thou, Maria--brigbt beautiful, and tender
thou wouldst have married me for myself Alas,
| am undone o. my father! Under the infll.
ence OF teeling5 like these, he wrote the hoonic
epistle, which cost his bride so many bitter
| tears
1t was at the close Of about two weeks from
this, that Julia was sitting one evening in her
parlor, dividing the time betwiXt her work Gnd
hook, when til" door bell rang and a minute after
the parlor door opened, and Mr. Wcatbury en-
tered, With sparkling eyes and glowing cheeks
She sprang forward, her hand hal. extended to
meet his-but lis cercmonious bow, aud cold
" good evening Mrs, Westbltry," recalled her re-
coeetloni and scarcely able to reply 10 his cjVity
she sank back on her chair, She thought she
was prepared to soc him cold ard distant though
She expected it--but she had deceived herself
Notwithstanding all her bitter runnations on her
husbands Indifference towards her, there had been
little under current of hope, playing at tue bot
tom of her heart and telling her he might return
| more cordial than he went His cold sRlutation,
and colder eye sent her toher scat, disappointed,
| sick at heart, and nearly fainting. In a minute,
however, she recovered her selfposscsson, and
| made those inquiries concerning his health and
journey that propriety dictated. In spite of him
sell, she succeeded in some degree in drawing him
out. She was gentle, modest, and unobstrusive--
and good sense and propriety were conspicuous
in all she said. Beside, she loUked vor7 pretty.
Her figure, though rather below the medium size,
was very fine, her hand and foot of unrivaHcd
beauty She was dressed with great simplicity
but good taste was incvery thing about her
person. She wore her dress, too, with a peculiar
grace, equally remote from precision and negli-
gence. Her features were regular, and her com
plexion delicate; but the greatest attraction Of
her face, was the facility and truth with which it
expressed every feeling of the heart. When Mr.
Westbury first entered the parlor, an observer
might have pronounced her heautiful but the
bright glow OF transient JOY that then kindcd her
cheek, had faded away and left her IIale--ao pale
that Mr. Westbury inquired, even with some little
appearance OF interest, "whcthcr her health was
as good as usual ~ Her voice, which was Away
soft aud melodiOus, was even softer and swccter
than usual, as she answered "tha. it was" Mr.
Westbu:y at length Went so far as to make some in
quirics relative 70 her occupations rurrr his alb
.scnce, whether she had called on the new bride,
Mrs. Cunningham and other questions of similar
consequence. For the time ne forgot Mara FL
den; was half unconscious that Julia was his
wife-and viewing her only as companion, he
passed and hour or two very comfortably.
One day when Mr.. Wcstbury came TO dinner
Julia handed him a card of compliments from Mr.
and Mrs Brooks who were about giving splendid
party.
I" / have returned no answer, said Julia, not
knowing whether you would wish 70 accept the in
v.tation or not"
"For yourself you can do as YOU pIease Mrs.
Westbury-but shah certainly attend IT,"
" am quite Indifferent about the party" said
Julia, "as such seems afford me little @icasure:
but should be pleased TO do "a you think proper
as you think best" Her voice trcmbed a littlc. a.
she spoke for she had not vet become sufficiently
accustomed TO Mr. Wcstbury's brusuue manner
towards herself TO bear IL with perfect frmncss.
al should think il very suitable chat you pay Mr..
and Mrs. Brooks this attcrtion," Nr. Woodbury.
replied.
Nothing more was said on the subject and Julia
returned an answer agreeable 10 the wishes Of hrr
husband.
The evening to visit Mrs Brooks at lcnath ar.
rived, and Julia repaired 10 her bed chamber TO
dress for the occasion Torcndcr hersel pleasing
in the eyes oi her husband was the sole wish OF
1I|.
She would have given the world to have known
his taste his iavoritc colors, and other tracs Of
the like naturc-but of these she was completely
ignorant, and must therefore bo guided by her own
fancy. Simplicity" Thought She" simplicity Is
the surest way for il nevcr oil pds, if does no
caphNate."
Accordingly, she arraycd herself IN pl.ip whito
satin--and over her shoulders was thrown white
blond mantle, with an azure border. wlilr a riril,
Of the same hue cncrclcd hor waist IIrr toilet
completed, Julia drscendcd 20 the parIor. hcr
shawl and calash in her hand. Mr. Wcstbrry va.
waiting for her, and just l.tng hi ewes over her
person, h. said-"if yOu are ready. Mre West
bury, We will 90 immediately. as Il Il now late"
Most Of the guests were already assembled when
they arrived at the mansion open for their rsccp-
ton, aud i was not quite ca.y got access 20 the
lady Of the house, 10 make their compliments
This important dIty, however. was az length hap
PLY Accomplished and Mr.. Westbury's next effort
was 10 obtain sca; for his vile. She would have
preferred retaining his arn at least Tor while. as
lew persons present were known to her, and She
felt somewhat embarrassed aud confused but She
darst not say so, rs, from her hrsband's manner.
she saw that he wished to he free from such at
tendance In such matters the heart of a dele
cate and sensitive woman seldom deceive her Is
II that her instincts arc superior TO lhOsn Of rucn9
Julia had been seated but q short tim. before
Mr.. and Mrs. Cunningham approached her, and
entered INTO hVCiy conversation This was
great relief to Julia, who coYld have wept At her
solitary and neglected situation, aIonc, ia the midst
ol crowd Mr. Cunningham fine spirits
and her husband aDpcs-cd ihe happicst Of III,
happy. Not that he appeared particularly to en-
JOY socicty-but his blooming wife was hv his side,
and he rycs rested ou her with looks Of the ten.
d"rost lovc--whic the sound of her Voice seemed
constantly 10 awaken a thrill Of pleasure in hi-
heart. After eonvcrsing with julia awhile Mrs
Cunningham said
DO YOU prefer sitting to waking, Mrs, West
buGy? Pray take my arm, and move about
With us Gttle--it looks 20 'n' 'r person to sJ
through party
Julia gladly accepted the offer, and was 500.
drawn away fom herself .u listening to the lively
rattle Of her companion, who although only
resident oC hw weeks 10 the city, seemed al
ready acquainted with all the gentlemen and half
the ladies present. An hour had beer passed IN
this manner, and in partakiug Of the various re-
frcshmcnts that were providod--to which Julia
did little honor, thOugh.hs was Of no consequence,
rs Mrs. Cunningham amply made mp all her dcfci-
encies OF this kind--.wben the sound ot music in
another room attracted their attention. Julia was
extremely fond Of music, and their present
tLe coufugiop or tnuf,,,aa