Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-07-05

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promise stared him in the face. A wild mood {
passion and remorse, an unavailng repentance
perhaps, for his rash promise, took possession {
his mind, and made the long hours Of that nigh
sleepless. He was not so deeply enslaved bu
that he still retained sufficient control over him
self to take what was undoubtedly a wise resC
luton, if he desired to preserve inYiolate th
pledge he had given to his lost wife.
Honor Westwood wondered when the summe
evenings came and went, and brought not th
wonted and weleome'guest. To wonder sue
ceeded disappointment, and to disappointment
the bitter, though only half acknowledged
pangs of sighted love. Would he ever comi
againf What dscourtesy had she been guilty
Of? She searched her memory and tortured he
mind in vain. In Phillips absence she broodet
over his image, and as we are apt to do, over
valued the merits of what she seemed to have
lost till in this way her halfformed attachment
| ripened into absolute love
| Mr.. WestwOod missed Phillip Stourton too
and, unaequainted with the true state of affairs
at last sent pressing summons for him. AND
what did Phillip With the faculty Of sefde.
lusion which is common to us all, he resolved tc
visit his friend; it was but pleasant intelligent
| intercourse he sought; was it mainly to shun
the society he valued because of this shsdowy
dsngeTl Honor Westwood was nothing to him
he would go, He went, and in that peculiar
mood of mind it may be easily guessed with
what results. His early impressions were inten-
slhed, passionate love took root in him against
which all of his struggles were unavailing. But
the lady was changed too; now, Phillip had
come back, she manifested certain reserve. He
felt the change, and was piqued. Instead Of ac-
cephng the opportunity thus offered, and placing
the intimacy on a footing more consonant to his
sense Of duty-as had he been at once with him
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termined to comsat and overcome this estrange-
ment. He succeeded.
AS his visits grew more frequent, Honor
Westwood's manner resumed its old grace and
warmth, till her uncle began to take note of such
small circumstances as led him to suspect that
his niece and his architect were-well, no mat
ter--Honor was of age, mistress of a small for
tune, and Phillip Stourton was an estimable man
and his good friend. Smooth as regarded out
ward influences was the course of Philips love-
making, but his own mind was irresolute and
distracted. He felt the fascination which had
seized upon him grow day by day in power
He knew that he was paltering with a sacred
engagement which he had never proposed TO
himself to break through, yet he would not
terminate the dangerous intimacy, and be dared
not look beyond the present hour. He worked
hard at his profession, crowded task upon task,
purposey allowing himself little leisure for
reflection, but he gave blind way to his impetu-
Gus feelings whenever chance or choice led him
to Honor's side. He did not neglect his own
home; but the nurse (now hoasekeeper), to
whose management his domestic concerns were
intrusted, was far from being satisfied with the
state of affairs, and spoke out her mind as she
was in the habit Of doing The motherless
children were sighted. Business-if it was
business that absorbed Mr.. Stourton-should
not swallow up home duties; and if it was gay
company that attracted him, it was still less
excusable." These remonstrances she did not
scruple to make to Phillips face, and far from
being sienced by his rebukes, let fall express
sions which showed knowledge of the atten-
tons hepaid his fair acquaintance, and iuveighed
bitterly against second marriage. This was
sufficiently insolent, but Phillip did not care to
resort to the obvious remedy. Her well-tTied
fidelity, and the anxious care with which she
watched over the welfare of his children, for
bade her being sent away; so her insubordina-
ton was endured, and her prate and caprices
passed over as necessary evils.
There came time, however, when Phillips
vacillating purpose became fxed though proba-
bly, in an opposite direction to what the real
balance of his confused feelings inclined him.
On quiet winter evening he and Honor met
once again. 1t might be she was kinder to him
than usual, or he himself more susceptible.
However that might be, her beuaty and tie
scarcely concealed favor with which she re-
garded him so far conquered that before they
parted he had asked her to become. his wife.
And, on the morrow, while his mind was filled
with conflicting emotions of love and remorse,
Honor wrote to him, consenting. 1t made Kim
very happy, of course Poor Phillip Stourton.
He had taken step, however, which seemed
irreyOeable, and he rushed blindly on to the end.
Like man engaged in the commission OF
crime, he resolutely evaded reflection on the
course he was pursuing, though he could not
prevent his thoughts from playing ata distance,
as it were round the forbidden point. In inces-
SAINT labor he endeavored to escape selEexami-
nation, indemnifying himself with long even
ings of delicious companiOnship, when con-
science, which should then have stung the
sharper, was laid to sleep by the all-powerful
Establishments of the hour.
After a while the marriage day was fixed, and
the preparations for it were begun The fact
was whispered about, and reached the ears of
Phillips bousekeeper; but, strangely enough,
that ready tongue of hers for once was mute,
though her feelings were anything but placid, to
Judge from her stormy face.
One evening, after q laughing dispute about
some intented matrimonial arrangement, Honor
suddenly remarked: " By the way, Phillip,
what was the nature of that promise you made
your late wife, 1 have Tecsived curious
anonymous letter about you, which 1 suppose
ought to show you"
Phillips face grew white be was not able to
affect unconcern, the onset was so unexpected
and so Ieadly. He remained silent, breathing
hurriedly, like man in pain.
Honor was rather startled when she observed
the effects produced by her words, and said:
am sorry, dear Phillip, if have grieyed you by
my question, but have indeed received letter
containing some vague accusation or other
against you give not the slightest credence
to it, however; neither do l ask you to explain
anything, if to do so would be disagTeeable to
you. / can trust you, Phillip"
You have trusted me, Honor, more than
Deserve" said Phillip; let me look at the
letter"
She handed it to him; it contained but a few
words, penned evidently by an illiterate person,
and ran thus You are about to be married to
Phillip Stourton, hear. You have no right to
him. Ask him about the promise, the oath ne
took to his wife, who is dead. God will visit
you both"
There was no signature. Phillip read it
thrice, and fingered over it, as though endeavor-
ing to take some resolution in his own mind.
lie looked at Honor at last, and said " Could
you marry me, Honor, if you knew had
broken promise such as the letter mentions ~
Honor trembled q little; but, after short
pause, smilingly said: Well, perhaps could,
provided it was not very bad case"
4" A death-bed promise-an oath ." said Phil
lip.
The lady was silent for moment, and her
eyes began to fill with tears. What have you
been doing, Phillip What do you mean
Must you break an oath in marrying me r.
g must" groaned Phillip. 1" promised my
wife on her death-bed not to marry again. She
had no right--I feel it now-to impose such a
burden upon me. ] had no right so to pledge
myself; but / did it. 1t is irreVocablei no one
can relieve me of it."
81 will not marry man who has peIured
himself" said Honor You have been cruel,
very cruel, to tempt me so far for this. can
not marry you now, Phillip" she repeated and,
covering her face with her hands, she sob6ed
bitterly, and left the room. Phillip, too, stole