Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1859-08-24


D piled.
There is no personal sacrifice | would
not make for your sake, he said. There
r is no deed of daring l would not accom-
: plish, if such deed would give you mo-
ment S happiness. 1 would toll night and
day for your sake if need be; watch Ovel
your comfort with the eye of a fond hus-
{ band and a jealous lover. | would love
you as never before was woman loved, !
, would cherish you as never before was wo-
man cherished. All, Adelaide, think what
it is to cast away such a strength of affec-
tion as l offer yOu!
Grant ThOrnby face was of an ashy
. paleness; great drops of agony stood upon
his brow; and his lips trembled with the
intensity Of his emotion.
is there no hope?' lie asked at length,
finding Adelaide disinclined to continue the
conversation.
None; alas! none
VIII nothing move you, no kindness no
consideration for those you love best?'
Nothing, she replied, do not hope for
it
Nor affection fresh as the bloom of a
summer rose, for it never existed until you
called it into life?'
Nothing. nothing, she persisted. DO
not prolOng this miserable contest of words.
1t is useless, it wrings my heart and yours,
pray let it cease!
/ ThOrnby passed his hand over his brow
once or twice, as if trying to control some
wild thought
Enough said he, mo kindness will
win, no devotion will move you. You will
be my wife-nO earthly power will prevent
that. You will hear no more of love
that has been met with scorn. If you
think it degrading to be loved by me, l
cannot help it-wOuld not if 1 could. l
have told you never loved woman before;
my life has been too busy, my thoughts too
much absorbed in the pursuit of happiness;
but it is past; be at ease, for it is the last
time l ever intrude my unwclcome, my mad
passion upon your notice.
He wrung her hand and would have left
the room, but she detained him. You say
truly, said she, no earthly power can
prevent my becoming your wife. l know
my duty. You will trust to my honor,
you will feel that however my mind may
be filed with another image my life will
be pure and sacred to you as if the union
of our hand had been union of hearts.
You will remember this?'
He pressed her hands and turned quick
ly away. Adelaide caught one glance Of
his face as he left the room, and saw what
she never thought to have seen-glittering
tears in eyes not used to melting softness.
Her heart panied her for having caused
even a moment suffering. How mortified
he must have been. she,thought, to have
been so decidedly rejected But how could
she help it? She had looked for no such
tender, passionate appeal to her feelings.
His indomitable power of character, his
rocklike determination, his strong uncon-
querable will, were merits which under
other circumstances could have not failed
in striking her woman's eye.
Women like strength in man far more
than beauty; it appeals to their depend
ence and no greater contrast could be
possibly made than existed between the
persons of Grantly ThOrnby and William
Beckett The first, muscular in person,
some would say almost to roughness; but
that could never be- Mr. Thornby was
gentleman, and what would have seemed
heavy and unwieldly in some, sat upon him
with grace which only well-bred man
of the world could acquire. The other,
effeminate to the last degree; pretty, soft,
womanly features; soft, white lady hands,
soft, tender blue eyes, light hair, lying in
little rings around forehead which looked
as if the sun had never shone upon it, a
delicate, slender frame tapering off with a
foot that Cinderella might have envied, and
you have the picture of William Beckett
Adelaide was thinking of it now, and con-
traSting it with the sturdy form and bold
features, the piercing eyes of Grantly
Thornby. She was thinking too, she
wished William had little more manli-
ness about him, at least enough to make
some exertion for livelihood. She looked
very pretty sitting upon the sofa in deep
thought, her fair hair falling in waves over
her shoulders, her dimpled chin resting in
her small white palm, her eyes full of gen.
tie tender light awakened there by her
woman's pity for an unlOved man. Sweet
her thoughts were taking
foreign shape, when the entrance
of her mother aroused all the antagonism
IF her nature, and sent her pleasant ima-
ges flying to the four winds of heaven.
Well said the amiable lady, looking at }
You have succeeded said Adelaide
1 have given my word, and now let me
nave peace. I've no more to do with 1t. /
Make whatever arrangements You please, I
ct the sacrifice be complete, only give me S
peace @
The mother turned to reply, but Ade- !
aide had left the room. ---- Is
1t was now in the middle of July, and '
t was settled that they were to be married s
n the coming October, that golden month S
# the year. Adelaide experienced no re- !