Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1862-07-05

take charge Of school some twenty miles
from her native town. For some time her
letters home were expressive only Of the
happy contentment which sprang from the
consciousness Of active usefulness, of receiv.
ing while impsrting good
But anon there came a change then
were these records from home characteri-
zed by ftful dreams Of dreary sadness
indefDable hopes and fears seemed striving
for supremacy in the writer's troubled
heart. Lucy loved but scarcely scknowl.
edged to herself while she knew that she
was loved. So, for long time that sec.
ond birth Of womGn's nature was like a
warm sunrise struggling with the mists Of
morning But one day brought letter
which could not soon be forgotten in the
home Of the absent One--a letter traced by
hand that trembled IN sympathy with
a heart tremulous with happiness. Lucy
had been wooed and won, and she but
awaited her parents approval of her choice
to become The betrothed Of Edwin W,
q man of excellent family and standing, in
the town where she bad been teaching -
The parents recorded their sanction with
many blessings, and Lucy's next letter
promised a speedy visit from the lovers.
To such nature as Lucy's, what on ab.
sorbiBg, and What revealing of self is q
first passion--what prodigality of griev-
ing, what an incalculable wealth of receiv.
iug-wbat breakup is there of the deep
waters Of the soul and how Heaven descends
in sudden start upon life. If there is a
season when an angel may look with intense
and fearful interest npon her heart pass
from the bud-like innocence and freshness
Of girlhood, and taking to its very core the
very light Of love, glow and crimson into
beautiful womanhood.
At last the plighted lovers came, and
welcome and festivities awaited them Mr..
w. gave entire satisfaction to father,
mother, and even the exacting beauty
He was handsome man with some preten-
sions to fashion, but in manner and appar.
emily in character, the opposite of his
betrotbed. 1t was decided that Lucy sho'd
not leave home until after her marriage,
which at the request of her ardent lover,
was to be celebrated within two months, and
on the coming birthday Of the bride. 1t
was, therefore arranged that Ellen should
return with Mr.. W, to Nj, and take
charge of her sisters school for the remain.
der Of the term The bridal day had come,
1t had been ushered in by the rich mellow
light Of an October sun; the busy hours had
worn away, aud now it was near sunset,
and neither the bridegroom nor Ellen, the
bridesmaid had appeared. Yet ia her neat
little chamber sat Lucy, nothing Joubting,
nothing fearing. She was already clad in
a simple white muslin, and few bridal or.
naments lay on the table by her side,
Maria Allen her second brides maid, q
bright eyed, affectionate hearted girl, her
chosen friend from childhood was arranging
to a more graceful fall of the wreath of light
ringlets that swept her snowy neck.
To the anxious inquiries Of her compan-
ion respecting the absent ones, Lucy smil,
ed quietly aud replied; Oh something has
happened to detain them awhile; we heard
from them the other day and all was well.
They will be here by and by, never fear"
Evening came, the guests we're assembled,
and yet the bridegroom tarried. There
were whisperings, Surmises, and woHderings
and shadow Of anxiety occasionally pass
ed over the face Of the bride elect.
At last carriage drove rather slowly to
the door. They have come ]" cried many
voices, and the next moment the belated
bridegroom and Ellen entered 10 reply
to the confused Inquiries all around him,
Mr.. w. muttered something about 'unavOid.
able delay and stepping TO the sideboard,
tossed off glass of wine, another, and
another. The company stood silent with
amazement. Finally q rough farmer ex
claimed-"Better late than never, young
man-young man--so lead oat the bride" :"
w. strobe hastily across the room, placed
himself by Ellen, and took her hand in his.
Then without daring to meet the eye
of any one about him, he said 81 wish
to make an explanation, l am under the
painful necessity-that is have the pleas
ure to announce that I am already mGrriedP P
Then turning in an apolOgetical manner to
Mr. and Mrs. Dutton, be added 81 found
that had never loved until l knew youE
second daughter !"
And Lucy She heard all with strange
calmness, then walked steadily forward and
confronted both her betrayers Terrible al
pale Nemesis herself she stood before them
and her look pierced like cold blade into
their false hearts AS if TO assure hers ell
of the dread reality of The vision, she laiC
her hand on Een's shoulder and let it glide
down her arm, but she touched not Edwin
As those cold fingers touched hers the un
happy wife first gazed full into her sister'I
face, and as she marked the gastly palor o.
her cheek, the dilated nostrils and quiver
ing lips, she covered her own face with bel
hands and burst into tears, while the young
husband awed by the terrible silence OF bel
be had wronged, gasped for breath anC
staggered back against the wall. TheI
Lucy claspiOg her hands upon her forehead
first gave her voice TO anguish and despair
in one fearful cry which could not but ring
forever through the souls of that guilty
pair, and fell into a deathless swoon at thei
feet.
After the insensible girl had been remoV
ed to her chamber stormy scene ensued il
the room below. The parents aud guests
were alike enraged against W., bat th'
prayers and tears Of his young wife-th'
petied beauty and spoiled child--at las
softened somewhat the anger Of the parents