The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-09-11

maid, If you wait for this fancy man. Stop,
not word. Think Of it, think Of it, before
you make vow;' and he hobbled to the
house muttering. ...... .r...-
Instead of Fancy, Reason spoke that even
ng to Miss Hall. Romantic young woman
Reason said, do you know that you have
never even seen this man whom you prettily
call smate?' There are no such men in
your town, and assure you, you will never
be known beyond its boundaries. Better
accept the most eligible offer you have while
it is open.'
'But it is not in me to guide man to
beauty and WISDOM the heart earnestly
plead; q would be led to higher SUBMITS
| shall only 60 back into the low-lands if
obey, knolc am infinitely superior to
George Yale and all his comrades.'
sDon't talk metaphysics to me- said Rea-
son coldiy. Il had rather know what you
think Of working day and night to support
yourself and your uncle while you wait for
this fancy man. What do YOU think Of
your uncle's dying in the aims. house? What
do you think Of becoming faded old maid,
cha faded old maid, at whom, if he
should meet her, the great gentleman would
not look p
Mile sighed wearily. More softly Rea-
son continued: 'ls it not better to be mis-
tress of that comfort full establishments p
Is it not better to give your poor uncle
home, even ut the sacr flee Of few fine SEN
sations? Would it be too much for his
years of care for you? Be assured, 'Rea-
son concluded in an awful tone, 'bc assured
l have looked every way, and there is no
wonderful knight on the road coming to res
cue you.'
Amelia Hall walked once more, sad and
slow, sad and Slow through that porticoed
and balconied house of the future she
paced once more down the avenue of naples,
and bathed in tears the hand of the prince
like one who would have led her back to sit
with him in the white -pilard portico.-
She locked the Gothic gate, and brushed
from the mystic sandals the dust of the
cool, wide streets of that lovely village, and
laid them away in lonely room Of her
heart, whose doors she barred.
Then she prepared to marry George Yale.
She wore no sacrifcial air. Her old uncle
laughed like a boy, and blessed her with
fearful eyes. She was womanly and SYM
pathetic with her lover. She interested her
self in his roughly told plans. lie lost some
/
touch, and little poetry latent in his heart
With some pleasure she mused: Il can
change him. M"y be my life will not bo SO
dreadful
She was married to him, and smiled as
some intimate friend reminded her of her
ideal home and husband.
In beautifying and keeping her home
| III ,,fn AL, -
her husbands nature, Mrs. Yale found n
grew pale and angcllike. She was not
strengthened; she did not develop into the
luxuriant double rose.
They had been married three years when
they were visited by n distant kinsman Of
Mr.. Yale. Stanwix Mason was professor
in IL Southern academy. He was man of
world. lie was like Amelia Halls ideal
husband.
Of course he at once read the peculiar
disposition of the husband and wife. Then
he noticed the lady's still blue eve kindle at
the picture he drew of a Southern scene
lie watched the VEINS throb in the white,
swelling temples as he talked on in the pic
turesquc style which charactcrizcs his books.
A temptation glided to his side.
lie saw how little her beautiful arts of
housekeeping were appreciated by her hus-
band, (whc, though he did love his wife.
was extremely matter of fact, and he dared
to talk to her in this wise as they sat IN the
site artist, Cousin Annie. Do YOU know
have been admirins the drapery of your
rooms and your vases ever since came:
| sal hni ~
can read dreams Of yours in every boquct
you make for me. Poets compose other
things than poems. | know something Of
your nature and your history perhaps from
that special little library in yon white draped
lovely, lonely lady might 60 to weep and
pray
Il do not know why you talk to me so
strangely, said Mrs. Yale coldly, her pride
starting up in her arms before the locked
doors Of her heart.
pardon me, fair cousin he responded.
Become acquainted with me, and then, if |
am worthy, confde in me-
There were many evenings in which the
three sat together on the stoop, Mr. Yale
balancing his books, and the cousin reading
aloud to the lady Of the house from the
Greek Of Homer, and from Shakespeare and
the Brownings. The young wife was cShil-
arated in the new atmosphere. She grew
gay and beautiful. Her husband was hap
py of the change, and the guest grew more
genial.
One night, when this cousin had read and
talked to her until she was bcwildcrcd by
the beauty and light poured upon her SOU,
and when at parting for the night, he raised
her hands to his mouthland kissed them, and
murmured 'Poor, poor little Annie; that
night the thrilling truth burst upon her. She
was beloved by her cousin.
TOO late, too late !" she cried sharply as
she fed along the passage to her room.
An hour later, Stanwix Mason, pacing up
and down the garden walks, as was his
wont, saw through the open easement Annie
kneeling by her bedside in prayer. lie saw
her rise serene and kiss the swarthy brow Of
her husband. lie understood the peace in
her ewes and turned away with a thwarted
face. The next day he smilingly bade them
adieu for the South and the husband and
wife took up again the even tenor of their
still gliding lives: the honest husband happy
and contented with his home and wife, liv-
ing his best possible life, and she, with half
her nature in chains and darkncss-her
greatest happiness that she has made others
happy. >.
| And multitudes of women like Amelia
Hall are called cowardly and merccnary,
while they are really brave and unselfsh.-
They are true to what they deem their duty,
if not to the instincts of their hearts.
AGREAT ORIGINAL STORY.
A dark frown over spread the handsome
and courtly features Of Fernando the Rover.
why, why,' he asked, brandishing his silver
handled sword furiously around, will ye
not believe me, my beauteous Marin dc Ar
syle BY this good sword do swear l
love tkee-most truly, wildly passionately
love thec Then why stand SO coldly
aloof from this bosom which is bursting for
theeI'
The beautiful girl essayed to speak but
could not.