Pomeroy weekly telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio) 1860-1866, 1860-01-31

was over Lily's cradle that 1 first awoke
to consciousness of my position. 1t
had been great disappointment to both
of us that she was a girl to me, think,
especially. One day, l was bewailing
her sex very weakly, and felt surprised
that he did not join in the lamentation
care not you disappointed, too?' l
asked.
eyes," he said coldly; "but my disap-
pointment is irretrievable, and dates
further back. Try and love your baby,
Isabel, if you cam
''These words fell upon me like
thunderbolt; 1 suddenly saw my whole
conduct in its true light, and in all its
consequences; but it was too late! From
the moment l was forced to realize the
idea that he had ceased to love me, re-
ceived a vivid conviction of the value Of
his love. l came down from my seclu-
sion to find him, as you see him now,
coldly considerate, punctiliously atten-
tive; but heno longer sought my society,
or welcomed my coming with smiles.
81 cannot tell you the effect this change
had upon my hayward heart; besides, it
seemed dreadful not to be loved by one s
husband. In my turn, | began to love
him passionately, to wait upon his word,
to court his attention, even to solicit his
endearments, for his coldness maddened
me. Perhaps I might have succeeded
if we had been left alone, but Caroline
Vivian was always with us. Her pres
ence and influence ruined everything
Previously, she had seen my husband 5
devotion and my neglect at their full,
and no doubt all she had said to him then
OF his blindness and my worthlessness,
was bearing now its abundant fruit. |
could not endure her to sec how our po-
sition was reversed and what Was suf-
fering. I could not sue for her to see
me rejected; and during the months she
stayed with us, | tried to act my former
part as close ly as possible. So mad was
[ in my false pride, that I have sacri-
feed the happiness of my life to it. I
succeeded so we'll in this miserable game,
that deceived both him and her left
| them constantly to their own society,
while / was thirsting for one hour of his.
[ rode, drove, visited, according to my
own convenience and leisure. [ con-
suited my husbands inclinations less
than in former times, Ijustly laid my
self open to Caroline's interference and
reproaches, but 1 would not bear them.
Violent scenes followed, until Maurice
himself silenced her. He wanted no
champion of his happiness, he said; ex-
postulation and reproach would not
transform my nature, or give him the
wife he had expeoted---no third person
could tighten the lot he had to bear
The night Caroline went away, l threw
myself at his feet-I besought him to
love me-to believe that loved him
Men are not impuIsive, inconsistent,
demonstrative, like US, and he could not
understand such conduct. He called it
caprice, policy, hypocrisy had
worn out his regard; reminded me of this
and that-careicss words, selfish actions.
which I had forgotten, but he had
brooded over in silent bitterness and dis
appointment Alas! alas! how black the
catalogue appeared!
''The tale is nearly told out, Aunt
Sarah. Since then, things have gone on
worse and worse His propriety and
coldness have been always the same,
while MY conduct has been actuated by
passion, grief, and resentment, perpet-
ually at strife. BY turns, 1 am neglect
full and disdainful, reproachful and i'm
ploring. | love him now as he never
loved me. His patience and temperance
apl ear to me admirable in the midst Of
my misery, for the uncertainty of my
temper, and the discomfort Of our rela-
tions, embitter his life. Caroline has
been once more our guest for the last
week or two; and perhaps now her pres
ence does good, for it forces me to a
measure of quiet and consistency.
Tomorrow, my husband leaves me
for Glasgow on important affairs. l half
think everything is not going right in his
business connection, but he never talks
on the subject, only he looks harassed
beyond his won't He said he might be
month or two absent; and SO, Aunt Sa-
rah, as my misery was getting intolera
BILE, l thought would send for you
Now, what comfort have you to give me?''
Poor Isabel! could but clasp her in
my arms, and try to soothe her by my aft
fection. What chance chad OF, regain
ing the happiness she had so recklessly
squandered, | felt very incompetent to
decide, owing to my slight knowledge Of
Mr.. Lorimer's character, and his inlme
diate departure would preclude the pos
sibility of my forming Judgment
''But; my dearest child, l argued, 'one
thing appears to me absolutely certain,
that man like your husband, with quick
perceptions and sensibility, can never
resist the influence ofyour love and duty,
if you will but try and regulate their ex-
ercise. You must earn his respect, con-
strain his affection, and time must give
you the victory Prove yourself worthy
to be loved, Isabel, and he will love you"
II cannot wait" said Isabel, clasping
her hands; Il want it at once-to-morrow
now! shall never win it on system.
But it grows dark, dear aunt; we must
90 down stairs. Come with me to my
dressing-room till l can find nerve and
composure to meet them again.
IN TWO CHAPTERS-CHAPTER II.
When at length Isabel was sufficiently
composed to return with me to the draw
ing-room, we found Mrs Vivian at the
piano, and her brother listening to her