The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1879-01-17
Select Story.
JULIA'S SACRIFICE.


mellow, through the stained glass windows
of the stately church and fell upon the
brilliant concourse gathered there, in honur
of the nuptisls Of Horace Napier and Julia
Melville. .a4.. 4......t. ........
A beautiful bride, and handsome groom
but not one CLEAN of happiness was there on
; either face as cold and hard as marble she
appeared, aud he as proud and stately as 4
prince.
Near them stood two men, who, ever and
anon, looked at each other, tho one with
triumph in his glance, the other with ILL
suppressed dislike. ...... .
The ceremony over, congratulations be-
gan.
| He with the triumph in his glance, was
first he took the cold hand of the bride,
saying, glibly;
| In seeing you my sons wife, behold
the contamination of my highest hopes
She bowed baughtily, and turned from
him abruptly, and yielded to the embrace OF
the other one, who whispered to her:
"My dsughter-my daughter that you
should have made this sacrifice even to save
me from ruin
Her face, bowed to his shoulder, told of
keenest anguish but when she raised it, it
told only of resolution.
Il can bear it gladly she SAID, when !
know that by it 1 have released you from
his power with disdainful nod toward her
husbands father. .... ......-
A few hours after, she and her husband,
in their new home, we're alone together for
the first time since he had asked her to be
his wife. '....l. ..... -.... .....
All the resolution was gone from her face
it, and her deep blue eyes, told only of an.
guish and hate.
Pride still sat upon his brow, but more
apparent than that was the look OF pain that
spoke from his hazel eyes. ... .....
With yearnipg gesture, he reached forth
his hand to take hers but she turned from
him, saying, in low, intense tones:
Let there be no mockery between us. i
cannot assume what | do not feel do not
make me dispise you more than already
/, do ...
What = he exclaimed. DO you hate me
, Juiar
She did not see the agony on his face as
he asked that question. .......
i, She replied, psssionately:
is it not mockery to ask me that. Yoii
know that hate you--tbat l have sold my
self to you
Stay he interrupted, proudly did you
say you cold yourself. to me p
Il did
For what I? . .-..t
'Your ignorance would be amusing were
1t not so despicsble. You know well, sir
!, why have sold myself to you
Il do not he replied. earnestly. Il simr.
lv know that when | asked you to be my
wife, You assented,'
What 7 she cried, hotly, her eyes flashing
her bosom heaving, her frame trembling
with ire. DO you mean to tell me that you
0 know nothing of the Indebtedness of my
ather to yourss that to avert threatened ruiz
! paid the price your father demanded
| "hiNh NaS |" hhiIy you anu give yOt
9 some social position Do you not know al
this I.
No. he said firmly, his lips livid hi
hands clenched tight. 'lknow that hav
desired to win you, but your indifference t.
me kept me silent till my father told IN
that you would become mine Will you no
believe me, Julia, when say that was no
r aware that you had been forced into this?'
No. she cried augrily, 4 will not belev
you! You have done despicable act, an
!, now seek to screen yourself by falsehoot
! | have no faith in you at ALL
. That proud loof settled back on his fac.
and be said coldly;
oI Very well We are strangers then. 70
y have sold yourself for my wealth you sha
find that you have not sacrificed yourself i
lysin.'