Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-01-21

be useless TO wear, she instant
" threw a shawl over her shoulders to
conceal the unlucky girdle, and although
the hour was late descended to the par
lor. Mr. Westbury was sitting by table |
leaning his head on his hand. 1t was
not easy for Julia to address him on any |
subject not too exciting to her feelings
and still more difficult perfectly to COM
mand her voice, that Its tones might be |
of ease and cheerfulness; yet she succeeded /
in both. The question she asked, led Mr.
Westbury to look up, and he WAS struck
by tho dcath-like paleness on her cheek.
Julia could by an effort control; she could
in degree subdue her feelings; but she
could not command the expression OF her
corntenauce; could not bid the blood
visit or recede from her cheeks at her
Sill. She knew not, indeed, that at this
time she was pale; her own face was the
last thing in her mind. Mr.. Westbury
had no sooner answered her question,
than he added-"Y OH had better retire;
Won look rs if the fatigues of the evening
had been TOO much for vou."
'Fatigues of the evening .-Agonies
rather" thought Julia; but thanking him
for his kind advice, she Immediately re-
treated to her chamber.
"Until this evening. Mr. Westbury
had scarcely seen Miss Z. since his mar
riage. He had avoided seeing her, be-
ing conscious that she retained the pow
err over his heart; and his sense of recti-
tude forbade his INDUCING passion for
one woman, while the husband of an
other. Miss E. suspected this, and felt
piqued at his power over himself. Her
! heart fiuttered with satisfaction when she
/ saw him enter Mrs. Brooks drawing
room; and she resolved to ascertain
whether her influence over his affections
were diminished She was mortified
and chagrined, that even here be kept
aloof from her, giving her only pass
! ing bow, as he walked to another part of
+ the room. 1t was with unusual pleasure
! that she complied with request to sit to
! the piano, for she we'll knew the power
/ of music--of her own music over his
heart. Never before had she touched
! the keys with so much interest. She
/ did her best--that best was pre- eminent
! lV good-and she soon found that she
had fixed the attention of him alone
whom she cared to please. After sing
/ ing one or two modern songs, she be-
gan one that she had learned at Mr..
! Westbury's request, at the period when
! he used to visit her almost daily. It
was Burns Ye banks and braes o
| bannie Doom and was with him great
fayorite. When Miss Eldon came to the
! lines
Thou minds't me of departed joys,
Departed never to return, a.
she raised her eyes to his face, and in an
instant he forgot everything but herself.
Her happiness is sacrificed as we'll as my
own, thought he; and leaning his hand
against the wall Of the room, he gave
himself up, for the time, to love and mel
ancholy. The song concluded, however,
he regained some control over his feel
ings, and still kept at distance from
her; nay--conquered himself, SO far as
to repair to the drawing room, to escape
from her dangerous vicinity. He saw
her not again uotil she was equipped for
her departure. Then she contrived to
get near him, and threw SO much sweet
ness and melancholy into her voice, as
she said good night, Mr.. Westbury,'
that he was instantly disarmed and
drawing her arm within his, conducted
her from the room.
CHAPTER THIRD.
"How" said he, in low and tremu-
lous tone, "Maria, could yon sing that
to harrow mp my feelings! Time was,
when to be near thee-to listen to thee,
was my felicity but now my duty for
bids that indulge in the dangerous de-
light"
Miss Eldon replied not-but raised
her eyes to his face while she depressed a
half-drawn sigh. Not another word was
uttered until they had exchanged 'adieux
at the carriage door.
Two or three weeks passed away
without the occurrence of any incident
calculated to excite uheasiness in the
heart of Julia. True. her husband was
still tie cold, the ceremonious. and occa-
sionaIy the abrupt Mr. Westbury: he
passed but little even of his leisure time
at home; aud she had never met bis eye
when it expressed pleasure or even ap.
probation. But he did not grow more
cool, or more ceremonious; the time he
passed at his own tireside rather increas
ed than diminished-and for all this she
was thankful. Her efforts to please were
unceasing. Her home was kept in per-
feet order. and everything was done in
time, and well done. Good taste and
good Judgment were displayed in every
arrangement Her table was always
spread with great care, and if her hus-
band partook of any dish with peculiar
relish, she was careful to have it repeat
ed, but at such intervals as to CRAFTY
rather than cloy the appetite. In her
dress sho was peculiarly neat and simple,
carefully avoiding every article of apparel
that was tinctured with the " odious
color" She had naturally fine mind,
which had the advantage of high cultiya-
tion. and without heinr ohtpusiva or