The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-07-02
Seletted Stnrp.
OUR DEL IRIUM.
BY GEORGE MARTIAL.


THE moon had struggled from behind stormy
clouds scattered brokenly over the sky, into blue
splce, and there shoue gloriously the water
came out from the sombre shadow and rppled
in the soft mellow light, the green slopes, the
stately tree-tops, the dark hills broke as if from
some painful trance, into ghost-like life and
we who had hushed Jest and laughter for the
time, broke out afreSh and made the old house
ring again.
say "we" though mine was a soulless laugh
ter, that never for an instant stirred the still
depths of my soul, while to the jests that fell SO
glib'y from my tongue was keeping time in my
sick heart like iuneral-hell dull, perpe ual
remembrance of pain smothered, stjfled yet,
there, waiting only its time to break out tiercely
great woe, chained, yet even now grinding
savage jaws, menacing, crouchirg, soon to
spring OH me, its sbvering, helpless victim.
You who have led perforce this dual life, you
who have shown the world mask face all smiles
and heavens peace, knowing yourself, beneath
It, sad and solemn death, can measure my hap
piness that night; you only.
Near me sat Bertha Vaughan, my school-com-
pauion first, ripened now into my dearest friend.
Not tall or short, brown.haired, blue-eyed, fair,
fresh, sweet in effect, firm and full in physique,
clear-headed, cool, kind, good, guiltless of ex-
tremes, nerves, headaches or beartGches; the
very woman Tin the chrysals state, of course)
that King Iemuel's mother had in her mind
There was no sort OF doubt but that her house
hold would be up in the very best of season, and
that she would "give meat to her maidens," and
plenty of it, and very good also as for "clo'h-
ing item in scarlet" l am not so sure Bertha
abhorred all things fanciful her dress was COO
and quiet in tint as herself. There in the moon.
light in her thin gray dress and little collar
abe looked like a heavenly minded nun, who
didn't observe the fasts and was sorry TO find
herself in such good condition; especially with
that unusual dropping of the brown lashCs and
shat smile about her mouth that any illjudged
word ntght have quickly dissolved in tears. Not
so wonderful, since near her sat Paul Ettricke
betrothed to her six months before, with march
ing orders and scarce weeks grace allowed
him week more could she reign queen, then
she must spare him to chaLce and Fate.
Some one says that "there are souls born vic
tors" Paul was numbered in that list. Untir-
ing spirits, ready wit, sublime assurance mot vul-
gar impudence or insolence) an iufexible will, q
gentle manner, woman-li&e tact and quickness
of perception, made circumstance and prejudice
bend alike before him. He won whom he would
and dr6ed the rest.
Happy Bertha, to have won him So thought
/, taking part in the jestiug talk, and watching
hhe tso quiet figures sitting little apart,
A cloud ohscured the moon, and chill breeze
came up from the water,
Bertha shiyered.
my shawl Bring it me, Paul, there's gooC
child. 1t is on the music-rack, or one of tn,
etageres - forget which,"
"No, it is here. l knew you would want it,
''Careful soul For reward, you may pu
IL on"
!, TOO, felt the chill inwardly shivered, bu
detest bdstle, and | sat quiet. Presently
without a word, cloak was wrapped about m!
shoulders aud drawn close about my throat, deit
ly, quickly, tendery. started and glanced to
ward Bertha. She had not seen 1t. / doubt i
she had even missed Paul from her side.
"What shall DO without you heard he
sigh, as il to herself.
at will DO hard. am privately persuade,
that no one can fold that shawl exactly but my
self, and bring the palm leaf over that corner
so, you know but, in time of war, patriots lik
yourself mast dispense with luKures,"
"Iou class yourself apder that headS v"
Certainly don't youg"
81 admit that you are more ornamental tha
useful"
"YOu are as ungratefui as republic, to sa
that, after have turned mnsio-leaves and cal
rled shawls and fans for you all summer"
heard no more. was too busy wonderin
II l should choose to have Paul talk to me lik
that, were Bertha Was love Indeed so sh
shat it must needs hide itself behind all that coo
badinageS l grew angry with myself WIS
were their loves to mes II they sighed lik
turtle-doves, or Jared after the fashion OF BeuC
dict and Beatrice, why should it interest TIE
lett the piazza and sat down in the little ci
Gle of light that fell from the Chinese lanterr
swaying about in the cool night-breeze, in Il
centre OF the lofty ceiling.
There found Eta Marie, Hugh, her brothe
and Pauline, our dark-eyed Creole star, talkir
(provoSingly enough) of Bertha aud LieutenaI
Ettroke.
"Such pity Eta was saying He ms
be.shot, or lose his health, aud IL would be srC
an excellent match so sensible, so suitable !
everybody approves of il. Bertha will make Il
best wife in the world. Paul was wise in h
choice"
"CboioeH asked Pauline. "Do you thin
then, that love is a matter of ehoieeS"
"If no. what them" said Hugh. "surs