The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1862-01-24

the grave, he gave his whole mind to the
accomplishment of his design.

the grave, he gave his whole mind to the
accomplishment of his design.
At first the son listened to the subject
with disgusted impatience but his feelings
softened as he saw his father sinking to ths
tomb and in an unguarded hour be prom.
ised him that he would make Julia his wife
Judge Westbury next exerted himself tt
obtain promise from Julia that she wonlC
accept the hand of his son, and be rested
not until they had mutually pIighted theal
faith at bis bedside. To Frederic this wa
moment of unmingled misery. He saw
that his father was dying and felt hinisel
constrained to promise his hand to ont
woman while bis heart was in possess ion o
another.
Julia's emotions were of the most conflict.
ing character: To be the plighted bride O
a man she loved, made her heart throb with
joy, and her faith in bis fathers assurance
that she would gain his affections, sustained
her hope that his predictions would be veri,
fled. Yet when she marked the counten-
ance of her future husband her heart sank
within her.
She could not fatter herself with the be-
lief that his unmingled gloom arose soley
from grief at the approaching death of bis
father. She felt that he WINS making q
sacrifice of his fondest wishes at the shrine
of flial duty.
Judge Westbury died and with almost
bis parting breath be pronounced blessing
upon Julia as his daughter the wife Of
his son most solemnly repeating his con.
viction that she would soon secure the heart
of her husband. Immediately on the de.
cease of her friend and father, Julia return
ed home, and in three months Frederic rol.
lowed to fulfil bis promise. He was wretch
ed, and would have given world, had he
been free from his engagement. But that
could never be. His word had been given
to his father, and must be religiously re.
deemed. 81 will make her my wife,
thought he,promised my father that I would.
Thank heaven l never promised I would
Iove her." Repugnant as such an action
was to his feelings, he was really impatient
to have it completed; for, as his idea of his
duty and obligations went not beyond the
bare act of making her bis wife, he felt that,
that once done he would be a comparatively
free man.
II am come" said he to Julia, "to fulfil my
engagement. Will you name day for the
ceremony ?"
His countenance was so gloomy, his man.
ner so cold, 80 utterly destitute of tender.
ness or kindly feeling, that something like
terror seized Julia's heart, and without any
reply she burst into tears.
Why those tears, Miss Horton ?" said
he. "Our mutual promise was given to my
father it is fit to redeem it.
" No particular time was specified" said
Julia, timidly, and with falteriDg voice.
"ls so much haste necessary"
My father wished that no unneces.
sary delay should be made" said Frederick !;
and l can see no reason why we should
not as we'll be married now as at any future
period. If you consult my wishes, you will
set an early day."
The day was fixed, and at length arriv.
ed, presenting the singular anomaly of a
man eagerly Fastening to the altar to utter
vows from which bis heart recoiled, and a
woman going to it with trembling and re-
luctance, though about to be united to him
who possessed her undivided affections.
The wedding ceremony being over, Mr..
Westbury Immediately took bis bride to his
elegantly furnished house, threw it open for
q week TO receive bridal visits, and then
gladly Obeyed the summons to New York,
to attend to some affairs OF importance. On
leaving he felt as if relieved from bondage.
A sense of prOpriety had constrained him
tn receive tho cOnOro r. f;opo IF h;o fr;on1o
with an air OF satisfaction, at least when
those very congratulations cOngealed his
heart, by bringing to mind the ties he had
formed with one be could not love, to the
impossibility of his forming them with one
whom he idolized.
When he had been absent about ten days,
he availed himself of an opportunity to send
a verbal message to his wife informing her
that he was well, and should probably be
at home in the course of two weeks but
when that period was drawing to close,
his business was not completed, and as
home was the last place he wished to visit,
he resolved to protract his absence, so long
as he had reasonable excuse. 81 must
write, and inform her of the change of nv
plan," thought he "decency demands it
yet how can write ? My dear Julia my
dear wife /! No such thing she is not dear
to me !" l
"She is my wife, she is Mrs. Westbury !;
she is mistress of my house, and must share
my fortune let that suffice her !! 1t must
have been for these she married me. Mean |!
ambitious neartless! Now Maria bright,
tender thou wouldst have mar,
ried me for myself And am undone J.
o my father !" Mid the influence Of feel.
ings like these, he wrote the laconic epistle
which caused the bride 90 many bitter
tears. 1 LIal3sl.9 91l 81. g.8t'j aIJ'~
He came home late one evening, and tax
ing seat near the table beside which Ju-
liza sat, leaned his head on his hand. Half
an hour passed without word being utters
ed. "Now is my chance, !" thought Julia.
" Yet how can l do it, What can say 7