The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-04-12

summer.
l want you to practise as soon as you get
strong enough, our dear old organ-melodeon
1t could only have come from Germany,
could it, Ilortcnse Who do you suppose
will play when we are grown old. Perhaps
another Hortense.
Dear sister, here is letter from Adelaide
l know it will interest you.
Ar HOME.
RUTn-DARLrNG RUTu: At home and hap
py. never knew what home was before
You might write out my life, and call il
"Pride Conquered" for indeed that wicked,
willful pride that filled my foolish heart to
overnowing, is all conquered.
You saw my father, and you will not won-
der that | love him with all my strength
You will only wonder that ever could have
left him so cruelty.
Dear Ruth, when you know all, do not
blame my father for saying those cruel words.
What man would not have said the same
But would all men have forgiven 30 fully, 50
freely, so tenderly?
was engaged to Bayard Christian n few
weeks more and he would be mine and his.
Marriage was beautiful and holy to me, and
longed for tho coming VOWS, but not more
than Bayard did.
God only knows how loved Bayard Chris
tian. lost self-lost volition in him.
had a cousin who had sought my hand.
l offered him sisters love, but he rejected
it IN scorn.
Bayard watched him jealously.
One night mother, in her pride for me,
dressed me in my wedding dress, which was
just completed. 1t was heavy white velvet,
sent from Genoa by my uncle. 1t hung in
qucenly folds, and fell to the floor bordered
in swans down, and there was swans down
across the bosom and the sleeves. Then
mother knotted my hair low down in my
neck with q long string Of pearls.
She kissed me proudly and called me her
beautiful Adelaide, then sent me down to the
library to let father sec.
The shade was on the lamp, making twi-
light in the room, and thought 1t was faith.
er writing at the table. So crept still
across the carpet and suddenly kneeled before
him, claspins my hands on his knees. . 4,
"Y0u are come TO me. You love me. God,
/ thank thee" and Cousin Richard caught
me in his arms, and held mo in transport
Of JOY to his heart.
"Say 1t again, dearest Addic. You love
me, and are come to me-"
Bayard Christian opened the door just in
season to hear Richards passionate words,
and see me folded in his arms.
would not explain. Father commanded,
and refused. II Bayard had no more con.
fdence in me he did not love me, said.
Then there were trouble and angry words,
and one dark day father and | stood white
and proud before each other. Again he
commanded and again I refused. | had his
will /; he had the will Of iron. wewerc toe
much alike to contend.
lie stood up and folded his arms tight
across his breast. Adelaide Conant, will
you obey me p
Istood before him with my mouth closed
30 firm that my lips bled.
"Answer me-" he thundered, in o bass
that had never heard but once before.
grew more angry ut the tone. lie might
have used it towards an obstinate childwhou
he wished to subdue by frightening.
"Neyer in that, sir" | answered.
"Then, God help me, from this hour you
are naught to me, Adelaide Conant."
The old legal tone had come hack to hi,
voice. With the old legal manner he rested
his hand on the mantel, looked me through
and through, said Ego" with his white lip.
then turned to his law books as though
his child did not stand there, dumb with
terror.
Iwrote two letters-one 10 mother ant