The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-01-31
For the Sunday Sentinel
DRIFTING APART.


ny MRS sALIIE A.. RNMAGE.
Ii had never been thought true marriage,
a union of hearts as we'll rs of hands, but
simply the giving of youth, beauty and in
telliyence on the one side for so much
money anda illustriOus name on the other.
Blanche Ward was poor and handsome,
Judge Hamilton rich and distinguished. and
the promise to love and cherish his bride
meant to her the power to command
wealth and its influences for her family.
She coveted q fine house, elegant APP
parel, costly jewels; because with
them she could advance the interests
of her poor, over-worked father and
the Younger girls, and as the Judge was
quiet and dispassionate in his wooing she
saw no reason for any argument as to the
prOpriety of her marrying him. She said
yes to his questions. and held her long, Slen-
der finger for the diamond betrothal ring in
the same dignified way that he bent and
kissed the broad white brow, and for mo-
ment clasped her in lovers embrace. He
seemed to expect no demonstration of love
from her, and she certainly did not from
him, and the hours of their courtship were
as free from affectionate language or tender
caresses as it was possible for them 10 be.
The wedding was grand the tour
exactly what fashion demanded, the
presents perfect and the pair settled
liant. Judge Hamilton was congratulated
upon his rare luck in securing such beau
tiful Young wife. and BlancheS family
thought her blessed in having such a mag
nificent home, and the world considered
them well mated. There was no pretence of
great love, no hypOcritical endearments be-
fore company. They were could the Sc
cret have been told good friends, who, I'M
married, would have valued each other, but
now were drifting farther apart each day.
The Judge was absorbed in his business all
day. and the evenings that were not devoted
to the demands of the world were given to
the perplexing questions that his profession
continually presented to him. He saw his wife
but little and then she seemed too wearied
or too worried to allow him to find pleasure
in her society," and he would resume his re-
searches or studies with now and then a
grave sadder face. He had nothing of
which TO complain. She was studiously at
tentive to his wants, was always dignifed
and lady-like, but was rs cold and calm as
the marble statue in its niche. He had
little taste for amusements, and gladly con-
signed her to the care of friends when he
saw how much cOnstraint he seemed to put
upon her pleasure, and though he often long
ed for the warm, clinging kiss that he saw
bestowed upon other husbands, he gave
no sign, but went his way, growing older at
heart than any one supposed. He could not
never wooed her with much love; he was
unused to women, and the few caresses of
their courtship had seemed to him to en-
body the passion of his heart, and he had
heard her too often ridicule such actions to
venture more. But how he lOnged for his
wife's love- for her whole nature to turn to
him for care and devotion but she, self pos
sessed as ever, asked nor gave aught but what
duty demanded.
In two years her sisters were married, her
father prosperous in business, and she had
none to think of or care for. Her sacrifice
had brought the reward she desired; il had
lifted trouble and anxiety from her loved
ones, had made the way easy for the young
feet of the girls, and had averted the petty
annoyances from their lives that had fallen
to her lot. She felt the Loneliness now.
The house seemed dull and gloomy after the
gay crowd that had been wont TO gather
when the young folks were around her, and
she could not shake of the sadness and mel
ancholy that seemed now part of her exist
ence. She. had none TO turn to
for companionship or entertainment.
Her husband was too busy, she inn
agined to understand or appreciate
her feelings, and she felt an odd mixture OF
fear and longing for the quiet, scholarly
man, whose twenty years seniority made
him more of guardian than protector for
her. And yet he puzzled her somewhat
when she heard other women praising him
envying her his society, and expiating on
his ability, and yet to her he was ever the
same kind but reserved husband. And after
awhile she bothered over the question nc
longer, but amused herself with whatever
drifted to her out of the lives of other PEG
lie.
One day her husband brought home
young lady, Miss Dumont. and introduced
her to his wife as an acquaintance and val
ued friend of his family, and hoped that hei
visit would be indefinitely prolonged. She
was laughing, romping girl. whose merry
charming ways would have won anybody in
the world, and yet Blanche received be
with a GOODNESS and politeness that even hel
accustomed dignity could scarcely justify
In the days that followed she saw that heI
guest had all necessary attention, but she
did not even try to entertain her beyond the
exact requirements of good breeding
and while she insisted on the judge
doing escort duty for Helen. the rare
ly formed one of the party. She
devoted herself more aSslduously than ever
20 her own pursuits, and spent hours alone
with her books or her music. She often
heard Helen in the library reading, while
Homer copied, or else chatting upon the
many Lew sights aud scs1es dat Lais, ne1
frst visit TO the city, was showing her, and