Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1874-08-26

not until they had mutually plighted their
faith by his bedside. To Frederick this
was moment of unmingled misery. lie
saw that his father was dying, and felt
constrained to promise his hand to one
woman, while his heart was in possession
OF another.
Julia's emotions were of the most con-
flicting character To be the plighted bride
of the man she loved made her heart throb
with joy, and her faith In her fathers as
surance that she would win his affections,
sustained her hope that his prediction
wonld be verified. Yet when she marked
the countenance of her future husband,
her heart sunk within her. She could not
persuade herself into the belief, that his
unmingled gloom arose solely from grief
at the approaching death Of his father.
She felt that he was making a sacrifice OF
his fondest wishes at the Shrine of filial
duty,
Judge Westbury died; and in almost
his parting breath, he pronounced
a blessing upon Julia, his daughter-the
wife of his son-,nost solemly repeating
his conviction that she would soon secure
tbo boo,. &c L. L,,,Lo,J,
Immediately on the dccease Of her
friend and father, Julia returned home,
and in three months Frederick followed
her to fulfill his promise. He was wretch
ed, and would have given the world, had
he possessed it, to be free from his en-
gagement. But that could never be- His
word had been given to his father and
must be reiglously redeemed. Il will
make her my wife," thought he; II prom.
ised my father that l would. Thank hea-
ven, never promised that would love
her !" Repuguant as such an union was
to his feelings, he was really impatient to
have it completed for as his idea of his
duty and obligation went not beyond the
bare act Of making her his wife, he felt
that once doue, he shonld be comparative
~ free man.
81 am come" SAID he to Julia, "to
fulfill my engagement Will you name a
day for the ceremony ?'
His countenance was so gloomy, his
manner so cold---so utterly destitute Of
tenderness or kindly feeling, that some
thing like terror seized Julia's heart, and
without any reply she burst into tears
"Why those tears, Miss Horton ?" said
he. sour mutual promise was given to
my faiher; it is fit that we redeem it."
"No particular time was specified, u
said Julia timldly, and with faltering
voice "Is so much haste necessary ""
"My father wished that no unnecessary
delay should be made said Frederick,
"and see no reason why should not as
we'll be married now as at any future Pc
rod. If you consult my wishes you will
name an early day."
The day was fixed, and at length ar
rived presenting the singular anomaly Of
man eagerly Fastening to the altar, ut.
teriug vows from which his heart recoied;
and woman going to it with trembling
and reluctance, though about to be united
to him who possessed her undivided af.
fectlons.
The wedding ceremony over, Mr..
Westbury Immediately took his bride
to his elegant furnished house - threw
it open for a week to receive the bri-
dal visits, and then gladly obeyed a
summons to New York, to attend to some
affairs of Importance. On leaving home
he felt as if released from bondage. A
sense of propriety had constrained him to
receive the congratulations of his friends
with an air of. satisfaction, at least when
these very congratulations congealed his
heart, by bringing to mind the ties he had
formed with one he could not love, 10 the
impossibility of his forming them with one
whom he idolized. When he had been
absent about ten days, he availed him
self of an opportunity to sepd verbal
message to his wife, informing her that
he was well, and should probably be at
home in the course of two weeks, but
when that period was drawing toward a
close. his business was not completed, and
as his house was the last place he wished,
he resolved 10 protract his absence SO
long as he had a reasonable excuse. 81
must write and inform her Of the change
in my plan," thought he, "decenoy de-
mands ir. Yet, how can | write? My
dear Julia my dear wife No such
thlng--she is not dear to me. ?"
.sShe is my wife--she is Mrs, Westbury
--she is mistress of my house, and must
share my fortune-let shat suffice her ! u
must be for these she married me. A
name fortune! an elegant establish
inent Mean ambitious! heartless