Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1874-02-26
THE DEVOTED WIFE.

saw nef Sne was SLanUln& up AT III
+. side of her lover at the marriage altar
she was slightly pale yet and anon, q
the.ceremony proceeded, a faint tinge G
crimson crossed her beautiful cheek
; like the reflection ofa sunset cloud upOl
the clear waters of quiet lake. lie
lover, as he clasped her hand within
, his own, gazed on her few moment
with unmingled admiration, and warn
and noble blood si'ado'ved at interval
his manly forehead, aid melted il
beauty on his lips.
And they gave themselves to one an
other in the presence of heaven, ant
every heart blessed them as they wen
their way rejoicing in their love.
Years passed on, and l again saw
those lovers. They were seated to
gether where the light of sunset stole
through halfclOsed crimson curtains
lending rich tint to the delicate CIR
peting and the exquisite establishment
of the rich and gorgeous apartment
Time had slightly changed them in
outward appearance; the girlish buoy
ant of the one had indeed given place
to the grace OF perfect w0manhnod, and
her lips are somewhat palei, and a
faint line of care was slightly percepti-
BILE upon her brow. Her husbands
brow, too, Was marked somewhat more
deeply than his Oge might warrant ;
anxiety, ambition, and pride had
grown over it, and left their traces upon
it; silver hue was mingled with the
dark in his hair, which had become
thin around his temples. almost to
| badness. He was reclining on his
splendid ottoman, with his face half
hidden by his hand, as if he feared that
the deep and troubled thoughts which
oppressed him were visible upon his
features.
'Edw ard, you are ill tonight said
| his wife, in Il low, sweet, half-inquir-
i2g voice, rs she laid her hands upon
his own.
Indifference from those we love is
terrible to the sensitive bosom. 1t is as
if the sun of heaven refused its wonted
cheerfulness, and glared upon US with
cold, dim, and forbidden glance. 1t
is dreadful to feel that the only being
of our love refuses to ask our sympathy
that he broods over the feelings
which he scorns or fears to reveal
dreadful to watch the convulsive fea-
lures and the gloomy brow, the inde-
Unable shadows of hidden emotion,
the involuntary sight of sorrow in
which we are forbidden to participate,
and whose character we cannot know.
The wife essayed once more.
Edward she said, slowly and affec-
tionately, the time has been when you
were willing to confide your secret Joys
and sorrows to one who has never,
trust, betrayed your confidence. Why,
then, my dear Edward, is this cruel re-
serve? You are troubled, and yet re-
| fuse to tell me the cause
Something of a recurring tenderness
softened Cor an instant the cold severi-
ty of the husbands features, but il
passed away, and bitter smile was his
only reply.
Time passed on, and the twain was
separated from each other. The hus-
band sat gloomy and alone in the damp
cell ef a dungeon. He had followed
ambition as god, and had failed in q
high career. He had mingled with
men whom his heart loathed :; he had
sought out the fierce and wronged
spirits of the land, and had breathed
into them the madness of revenge. He
had drawn his sword against his cOun-
try; he had famed the rebellion to a
fame, and it had been quenched in
human blood. He had fallen, misera-
bly, fallen, and was doom to die the
death of traitor.
The door of the dungeon opened, and
form entered and threw herself into
his arms. The softened light of sunset
fell upon the pale brow and wasted
cheek of his once beautiful wife.
Edward, my dear Edw ard, she said,
Il have come to save you; l have
reached you after a thousand difficult
ties, and thank heaven my purpose is
nearly executed
Misfortune had softened the proud
heart of manhood and as the husband
pressed his pale wife to his bosom,
tear trernbled on his eyelash.
Il have not deserved this Kindness
he murmured, in the ch0ked tone of
agony.
Edward said his wife, in an earnest
ted extreme and fearful debility, I'VE
have not u moment to lose. By an ex-
change Of garments you will be able to
pass out unnoticed. Haste, or you may
be too late. Fear nothing for me; 1
am a woman, and they will not injure
me for my efforts in behalf of a husband
dearer than life ITSELF
But, Margaret said the husband,
you look sadly jill. You cannot breathe
the air of this dreadful CELL
oh! speak not to me, my dearest
Edward said the devoted woman; Il
can endure anything for your sake
Haste, Edward, and all will be we'll >
and she aided with tremoling hand
to disguise the proud form of her hus-
band in female garb.
Farewell, my love, my preserver =
whispered the husband In the ear Of the
disguised wife, as the officer sternly re-
minded the supposed lady that the
time allotted 10 her visit had expired.
Farewell! we shall meet again. re-
sponded the wife; and the husband
passed out unsuSpected, and escaped
the enemies of his life.
They did meet again, the wife and
husband but only as the dead may
meet, in the awful communings of an
other world. Affection had borne up
her exhausted spirit until the last great
purpose of her exertions was accom-
plished in the safety of her husband /;
and when the bell tolled on the NOR
row, and the cell was opened, the
guards found wrapped in the habili-
ments Of their destined victim, the pale
bat beautiful corpse of the devoted
wife.