The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1881-04-28
MAUR,CE's JOURNAL.

Suty &. loIS.-We Were marTleu last
Wednesday, in spite of Gertrude's
strange, feeble state. She was found on
her floor in a swoon q fortnight ago,
After she recovered she sent for me and
my faults. l will try and be a good
wife to YOU"
kissed her, with many tears, and
promised that IL l did not make her
happy with the best blood Of my heart.
might God forsake me.
Oh, how beautiful and pale she Is!
She looked 30 spiritually lovely at the
altar, that was afraid she would van
ish. She Is infinitely tender and dear.
and leans her head on my shoulder and
leaves her hand in mine!
Oh, heaven! how have deserved this
happiness?
But where is the energetic and all
conquering Gertrude gone? She has no
will, no energy, no power. She has
allowed the new french maid to dress
her, to pace her trunks; she did not
seem to realize when she kissed her
mother and sister, that she was to sail
of for Europe, and not see them for a
year.
As for feeling very sorry Mt leaving
the old General with his gout and his
oaths, am not astonishcd that she does
not care much. But to mo. the sweet
est, most grateful, most tender crea-
tirc! ..good Mawrice," she says.
Rather as II were big dog, howev-
or. But have taken her, ut her own
rating, and cannot complain.
MSuricel AIauriccl have you done
wrong. have you killed this creature?
No. mol sho shall live; she 10 nay ypife.
That was only ruse about Ronald and
Lydia; but II secured me Gertrude.
Six weeks gone. Wehave crossed the
ocean. We have seen tho London sea.
son. Gertrude has gone through all,
all her changed estate, with q quiet
elegance as II she were Dukes daugh-
ter. How the conversation stops rs she
enters! She Is so beautiful How she
All day long she sits with her oycs
looking into vacancy. unless rouse her
to 90 somewhere. She did show some
interest in Westminster Abbey.
"Ah, once hoped to see this" said
she. aud then she sighed deeply.
-august I2th.-Now wo arc in Switzer-
land. and the color Is coming back to
her checks. She IL happier. She
loves nature. aud is delighted with the
Alps. Tho only things she breads are
letters from home. "Do not" said
she, her lips growing n shade paler.
lido not. dear Maurice, tell me anything
suddenly"
Ahl she fears to hear that Ronald has
married Lydia. When shall dare to
tell her TINT have deceived here
December. italian lakes. Venice,
Florence, Rome. Gertrude Is better
every day. She is more like her old
self; she grows gay and witty, and
sometimes energetic. Then the old
languor comes over her, but she has
see emed to gain new life in these soft
climcs; the picture galleries interest
| her and she gazed with infinite tender
ness ut Raphaers Madonna and Child
--yes-hsr own story; later, dearest
wife.
Rome, Rome, has told its own old
story to her. Such nature as hers
could not but drink in its infinite conso-
lation! / have never seen mind so
rich, so appreciative"
Art has broken In upon her sorrow.
She has thanked me, that and my
wealth have given her this high pleas
ure. Poor girl! T 'SS-
Next winter have promised to take
her up the Nile. and she pressed my
hand and smiled at me with her old
look. the look which won me.
She never speaks Of home. tell heI
of her mothers Improvement, of Julia
comfort, of the Generals enjoyment oi
the Hot Sulphur, She smiles and thanks
me. and got up the other day and kissed
me.
"Good Maurice. good Maurice" said
she. Still a little Of the big dog man.
ner. 81 wish you wouldn't thank me.
my wife," said l. in q surly way; ''whal
is mine is yours. isn't it?"
She did not answer. but she looked al
me sorrowfullv.
Oh! if she only knew how l wish she
would not thus unconsciously remind
me that have bought her!
Oh for one word of love! of that
| sweet community OF interest which
/ should exist. for q moment OF wisely
comnsas, I. How wish that size would
| order me about, ask me for money, be
extravagant, run up bills. desire new
carriage and demand Castallani jewel.
ry. l brought her home sapphire the
other day, an intaglio, head OF some
Greek nicely cut She looked att. and
dropped it.
1 Then examined the gem. and saw
that / had brought home Ronald's pro
file. That regular, delicate outline
looked Mt her from out the silence of
ages. / had bought my own punish
ment again.
No! she does not want jewels! The
woman's life in her is crushed out, and
she 10 simply performing her part o!
the, contract. I thought her body, and