St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1858-01-07

companion.
We need not follow long, however,
for he stops at a superb dwelling and
IS ushered into a magnificent parlor.
The only occupant of this room is a
young lady. In appearance she is tall
and Of a delicate mould; just such
form as the artist loves to trace upon
the canvas, and loves to study while
he paints. Her features are regular,
and across her fair complexion the
rose chases the lily, and the lily the
rose. Her eyes are circular, sparkling
eyes, disclosing at once the unwritten
history of her life. Her smile is an
gelic, bewitching rather, and might,
perchance, remind the classical
student of the far-famed beauty of the
Grecian Helena. Marie Eberlie is
beautiful, reader. She had ripened
into womanhood it is true in the heart
of great city, great in population
and great in wickedness; and as she
walked along the fashionable avenue
she unconsciously breathed the tainted
air of crime, and passed and rcpassed
the miserable, degraded slaves Of lust
But she knew it not. So carefully
and strictly had she been reared that
she dreamed not of the degradation Of
humanity. Cnsuspecting, she always
contided until assumed friendship in
some unguarded hour developed the
heartlesness of its professions, then,
chlld-like, she would withdraw her
confidence, but never suspected that
sclfisheness forms the very foundation
stone of the great majority of the
friendships of the world. She magni-
fed human nature, and admiring its
beauty stopped not to scan its blem-
ishes. Such being her education and
disposition, it will not be thought
strange that she was totally ignorant
of the character of her lover. She be-
lieved him pure, upright, noble; and
as she nestled her head upon his bosom
she knew not that it rested upon lot
terry tickets-she knew not that, mad
dened with disappointment or elated
with success, he tarricd long and late
over the wine cup, and that the SER
pent of lntempcrancc had already
collcd itself around him-she knew
not that he had squandered dollar
after dollar at the gaming table, and
that the habit Of Incidence had taken
fast hold of him. Knew it not She
never dreamed it possible. Whilst
the world looked upon Harry as stand |
ing upon slippery precipicc, love
taught Marie to believe him the model !
of sobriety, morality and every virtue
that adorns a symmetrical character,
Strange that no interested friend could
see the danger and warn the innocent
ere she made shipwreck OF her happi- |
ness; or stranger still, that busy talk
ers had forgotten or neglected to seize
upon Harry's weak points, and present
them thrice magnitied to the trusting
Marie.
Both friend and gossip proved dcre-
lict, and when Harry left Mr.. Eberlic's
upon the evening in question, not one
harassing doubt fitted across the
mind Of his allianced. Perhaps igno-
rance were bliss, for verify at this
late hour it were useless to be wise.
The morrow dawned. The sun
arose from bis eastern chamber and
ushercd in a beautiful day. The world
refreshed by its nights slumber com
menced again its ceaseless round of
business The published bans of
Harry Worral and Marie Ebcrlie had
caused some expression of feeling
among the bon tom Anxious moth
ers, as they looked upon their mar
riageable daughters, drew long uneasy
sighs to think them still without suit
ors; and lnarriageable daughters pout
their ruby lips as they languishly
talked of the marriage Ia belle Marie
Both parties were made the subject
OF more than one unkind jest by those
who, in order to satisfy Jealousy, are
ready to daily with character even
of the tried and true. So universal is
it for the depraved heart to envy,
slander and malign. Strange that
there is so little disinterested friend
ship and affection in this world HUI
manity has grown Incredibly selfish !
The forenoon wore slowly away,
and the huge hands of the state house
clock were gradually nearing the ap-
pointed hour. The church was rapidly
filling with beauty and w.t. age and
youth, friend and strange, all attracted
there, certainly not by the novelty of
the ceremony, but for the sake of
seeing and being seen. The old clock
pealcd clear and loud the hour of one,
and there was stir in the ample yes
tibulc. The crowd stood aside and
the parties entered. Mr.. Eberlie es-
corted the bride up the left, and the
first groomsman attended the bride
groom up the right aisle Of the church
and meeting in front Of tie circular
railing, in full view of the auditory,
the father placed the hand of his
daughter in that of her betrothed hus-
band, and stepping aside the otliciat-
ing bishop commenced the solemn
ceremonial. How still was the vast
assembly! Every word was clear and
distinct; and the sweet, low voice of
Marie as she slowly repeated the
solemn Episcopal oath OF marriage tril-
led, like some gentle melody through
the arched building. The last words
were spoken-the bishop pronounced
them man and wife, and the heaven
constituted rite was performed.
Friends crowded around to offer
fluctuations and congratulations, and
strangers standing aloof whispered as
they eyed the happy couple, truly this
is an elegant marriage"
| CHAPTER II.
:" will do it, sir, provided"
We don't wish any prviso. 1t is
not matter of choice, and ] desire
that you should distinctly understand