The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1874-06-04
TIE UNWILLING BRIDE.

THE UNWILLING BRIDE.
Very few persons who ever knew
Ruth McIlwain could easily forget her.
When l first met her, she was sixteen.
The mother of Ruth McIlwain died
while she was an infant, and her father
remian led a widower for ten wears. and
then married lady who had daugh-
ter by her former husband. The sec
ond Mrs McIlwain was a woman of
plausible manners, but of a selfish and
artful disposition, and her daughter
Ellen resembled her exactly.
Jonas McIlwain was one of those
every day persons who have nothing
marked in their character, if we except
only great portion of obstinacy.
One day when Ruth had just entered
her seventeenth year, a gentleman
whom she had never seen before, came
to tea with the family. He was a wild
over, about forty years of age, of good
figure and fine manners, but plain even
to ugliness. He was silent and reserved.
Ruth paid little attention to him, and
would have thought no more about him
had not her father said to her when he
was gone, "Well, Ruth, what do you
think of Mr.. Walker ?"
"I think he is extremely y'ugly," re-
piled his daughter.
"Humph /" responded her father,
"thRt is unlucky, for he is to be your
husband"
"My husband, father ?" said Ruth,
raising her blue eyes and gazing at her
parent with q look of astonishment.
ooh! you are jesting; that is impossi-
bls."
"Not at ALL" answered Mr.. Nell
vain. "You will find it very true. 1
assure you arm serious"
"I will never marry him." replied
Ruth, "and I scarcely think he will de-
sire an unwilling bride"
But you will not be an unwilling
BRIDE" persisted her father.
Don't mistake me, father" contin
ued Ruth firmly, but kindly. "In this
matter must consult my feelings. 1
cannot commit so great n sin.
"Well, we shall see, "coolly responded
Mr.. McHwain, and the conversation
dropped.
Caleb Walker was man of immense
wealth. In early life he had emigrated
to Louisiana, when the city of New Or
leans was scarcely more than village,
and judiciously investing the means he
possessed, he amRssed great wealth.
No man had q kinder or more sympa-
thizing nature than Caleb Walker. He
was very charitable, but as he shrunk
from observation, and was so unobtru-
sive, the knowledge of his benevolence
was almost invariably cOnfiued to him
self and the recipients of his bounty.
Mr.. Walker continued his visits to
the McIlwains, and Ruth made 1t
point to keep ont OF his way as much
as possible. She had little difficulty in
doing this, AS he paid no particular at
tention to her. She perceived, how
ever, that her step-mOther and sister
were frequently closeted together, and
that their minds seemed always occu-
pied with something that she could not
discover. They sometimes looked at
her in n peculiar manner.
One day, when she was alone with
Ellen, she said
"What is it that occupies you and
mother 30 much ?"
Her step-sister answered with great
deliberation, The preparation for
your marriage, my dear"
My marriage, sister With whom?"
"Your father certainly has informed
you that you are to marry Mr.. Walker,
replied Ellen, looking fxedly into
Ruth's face.
"Oh yes, he said So" replied
Ruth, "but cannot believe he means
it."
"Why notP asked Ellen, eIevating
her eyebrows.
Because" replied Ruth, "it's a
very summary way of disposing of my
affections, and 1 think am entitled to
say in the matte r,
Ellen laid her hand on Ruth's shoul-
der. MY dear" she said, . don't be
all Il II
Caleb Walker. He is a gentleman of
immense wealth, and will make You an
excellent husband. Besides, he is
fond of you, though you will not give
him chance of making you sensible OF
the fact. There is not a girl in the
community but what would dance at
your chance. I am sure 1 would"
"Then take him." said Ruth.
" But I can't take him, replied Ell
len che don't want me. Besides, my
dear, everything is settled in your case;
even your wedding wardrobe is pur-
chased"
Ruth took her step-sister by the
hand. els this true p she asked
solemuly.
d" 1t is true ?" replied the other.
Mr.. McIlwain, was absent in the
country. Ruth, therefore, went to her
step-mother, who listened TO her sup
phcatons with countenanoe rs inn
movable as stone.
81 an surprised at this nonsense, "
she cried. - expected to find you a
reasonable girl. Are you going mad ?
Do YOU really know what you are re-
iusing? This is preposterous. There
Is scarcely young lady in the country
who would refuse Mr.. Walker. What
are your objections to him, prsv ?"
don't love him." sobbed Ruth.
Well. who said you did p cried her
step-mother. "But you can do so you
will have plenty of time, and he is a
kind man and will teach you to do so. 4"
Il will b. committing a sin if /
marry him. won't marry man that
| scarcely know and do not love, said
Ruth.
"You may alter your opinion" re-
piled Mrs. McIlwain. =" 1t is to your
father you must say that"
Will you not appeal to him for me?'
sobbed Ruth.
NO, replied her step-mother sternly,
as she went out Of the room.
Several days elapsed without Ruth
seeing either her father or Mr.. Walker,
when one bright morning, as she was
reclining upon her bed, her father en-
tered the chamber, and commanded heI
10 prepare herself instantly to marry
Caleb Walker.
" All is prepared" he said harshly
get up instantly and dress yourself
Let me Lear 40 murmur,"