Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1881-04-29
MAURICE'S JOURNAL.

July 4. IS7S.-We were married last
Wednesday, in spite of Gertrude's
strange, feeble state. She was found on
her floor in a swoon fortnight ago,
with letter from Ronald in her hand.
After she recovered she sent for me and
said: "Maurice, dear, take me, with all
my faults. ! will try and be a good
wife to you"
l kissed her, with many tears, and
promised that if / 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 so 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 l deserved this
happiness?
But where is the energetic and all
conquering Gertrude gomez She has no
will, no energy, no power. She has
allowed the new French maid to dress
her, to pack her trunks; she did not
seem to realize when she kissed her
mother and sister, that she was to sail
off for Europe, and not see them for a
year.
AS for feeling very sorry at leaving
the old General with his gout and his
oaths, am not astonished that she does
not care much. But to me, the sweet
est, most grateful, most tender crea-
lure! 'gooC Maurice" she says.
Rather as if l were big dog, howev-
er. But have taken her, at her own
rating, and cannot complain.
Maurice! Maurice! have you done
wrong, have you killed this creature?
No, no! she shall live; she is n,yaoife.
That was only ruse about Ronald and
Lydia; but it secured me Gertrude.
Six weeks gone. Wehave crossed the
ocean. We have seen the London sea-
son. Gertrude has gone through all,
all her changed estate, with quiet
elegance as if she were aDuke's daugh-
ter. How the conversation stops as She
enters! She is so beautiful! How she
becomes my wealth!
All day long she sits with her eyes
looking into vacancy, unless rouse her
to go somewhere. She did show some
interest in Westminster Abbey.
"Ah! once hoped to see this" said
she, and then she sighed deeply.
August I2M.-Now we are in Switzer-
land, and the color is coming back to
her cheeks. She is happier. She
loves nature, and is delighted with the
Alps. The only things she breads are
letters from home. "sDo not" said
she, her lips growing a shade paler,
"do not, dear Maurice, tell me anything
suddenly"
Ah! she fears to hear that Ronald has
married Lydia. When shall dare to
tell her that / have deceived herp
December. THE 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
seemed to gain new life in these soft
climes; the picture galleries interest
her and she gazed with infinite tender
ness at Raphael's Madonna and Child
l--yes-her own story; later, dearest
wife.
Rome, Rome, has told its own old
story to her. Such u nature rs hers
could not but drink in its infinite conso-
lation! i 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!
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. Itell hen
of her mother Improvement, of Julia's
comfort, of the Generals enjoyment Of
the Hot Sulphur She smiles and thanks
me, and got up the other day and kissed
| me.
"Good Maurice, good Maurice" said
she. Still little OF the big dog man
ner. ~ wish you wouldn't thank me,
my wife," said l, in surly way; "what
is mine is yours, isn't itP"
She did not answer, but she looked a,
me sorrowiully.
Oh! if she only knew how wish she
would not thus unconsciously remint
me that have bought her!
Oh for one word of love! of tha
sweet. community of interest which
should exist. for moment Of witely
conimani. How wish that she woulc
extravagant run up bills, desire a new
carriage and demand Castallani jewel
ry. / Ibroughth her home sapphire, thu
other day, an intaglio. head OF somt
Greek nicely cut She looked att, ant
dropped it.
Then / examined the gem, aud saw
that had brought home Ronalds pro
file. That regular, delicate outline
looked at her from out the silence O.
ages. / had bought my own punish
Inent again.
No, She does not want jewelsI Th,
womans life in her is crushed out, ant
she is simply performing her part o