The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-05-18


tiful, fearful face; then clasped her to
his BOSOM
She permitted the embrace. She even
gave way to the impulse of the instant,
and twincd her arms about his neck, but
Ill moment her resolution came to her
aid, and she pushed him from her with
II sigh.
Shall | go?" he articulatcd.
A feeble 'yes" fell from her quivering
lips.
And an instant later she was lying
upon the sofa, sobbing and weeping pas
sionatclv-alone.
To tear the tenacious root of love ont
of her heart had cost her more than she
could have anticipated; and the certain
ty Of golden life of luxury proved but
poor consolation, it seemed, for the sac
ritice she had made.
She lay long upon the sofa, sobbing
and weeping passionately. Gradually
her grief appeared to exhaust itself
Her breath came more regular and calm.
Her tears ceased to flow, and at length
her eyes and cheeks were dry. Her
head was pillowed on her arm, and her
face was half hidden in flood of beauti-
full curls
The struggle was over. The agony
was passed. She saw Mr.. Wellington
enter and arose chcerfully to receive
him. His manners pleased her; his sta
ton and fortune fascinated her more.
He offered her his hand. She accepted
it. A kiss sealed the engagement-but
it was not such kiss rs Frank had given
her, and she could not repress a sigh.
There was n magnificent wedding.
Splendidly attired, dazzling the eye with
everything around in the atmosphere of
fairy lane, Katie gave her hand to the
man her ambition-not her love-had
chosen.
But certainly ambition could not have
made a better choice. Already she saw
herself surrounded by a magnificent
court, of which she was the acknowl-
edged and admired queen. The favors
of fortune were showered upon her; she
hoated luxuriously upon the smooth and
CLASSY wave of charmed life.
Nothing was wanted in the whole cir
Gle of her outward existence. to adorn
it and make it bright with happiness.
But she was not long in discovering
that there was something wanting within
her own breast.
Her friends were numerous, her hus-
band tender, kind and loving; but all the
affections she enjoyed could not fill her
heart
She had once felt its chords of sym
patty moved by skillful touch; she had
known the heavenly charm of their deep,
delicious harmony; and now they were
silent, motionless, muilled 80 to speak,
in silks and sntns. These chords still and
soundIcss, her heart was dead; not the
less so because it had been killed by a
golden shaft. Having known and felt
the life Of sympathy III love, she could
not hut mourn for it, unconsolcd by the
life of luxury. In short, Katie III time
became magnliicently miserable, splen-
didly unhappy.
Then II change became apparent in
her husband. He could not longer re-
main blind to the fact that his love was
not returned. He sought the company
of those whose gayety might lead him to
forget the sorrow and despair of his soul.
This shadow Of Joy was unsatisfactory
however and impelIcd by powerful long
ings for love, he went astray to warm
his heart hy strange fire.
Katie saw herself now in the midst of
gorgeous dcsolation, burning with
thirst unconqucrable by golden streams,
that flowed around her; painting with a
hunger, not all the food of flattery could
appease.
She reproachcd her husband for desert
ing her thus; and he answered with an
CRY and desperate taunts of deception,
and total lack of love, which smote her
heart heavily.
"You do not care for me, he cried;
"then why should you complain that |
bestow elsewhere the affections you have
met with colCness?'
"But it was wrong, sinful, Katie re-
monstrated.
"Ycs, / know it," said her husband,
fierccly. ut is the evil fruit of an evil
seed. sAnd who sowed that seed? Who
gave me q hand without heart? Who
became sharer of my fortune, but gave
me no share in sympathy-who devoted
me to the fate of loving, unloved hus-
band? Nay, do not weep, and unclasp
your hands, and sigh and sob in such
desperation of impatience-for say
nothing you do not deserve to hear"
Very well, said Katie, calming her
self: II will not complain. | will not say
vour reproaches are undeserved. But
granting that am the cold, deceitful
thing you call me--you know that this
state of things can not continue.
Eyes, | know it.
"Well?"
Mr.. Wellington's brows gathered dark
ly; his eyes flashed with determination;
his lips curled with scorn.
II have made up my mind" said he,
'that we should not live together any
longer. / am tired of being called the
husband of the splendid Mrs. Yelling
ton: will move in my circle; you shall
shine in yours | shall place no restraint
on your actions, nor shall you on mine.
We will be free"
"But the world r shrieked Katie trem'
bling.
"I'he world will admire you the same
and what more do you desire! asheu
her husband bitterly. "The marriage
of hands, and not Of hearts, is mock
cry. Few know the conventional mean,
ing of the term husband and wife; but
do YOU know what it should mean? DO
YOU feel that the only true union is that
Of love and sympathy? Then, enough
of this mummery Farewell l go to
consult friends about the terms of separa-
a tion' Nav, do not tromble and cry, and
cling to me now-for shall be liberal to
1 Won As much of my fortune shall be
yours as you desire" OF, .u
He pushed her from him. She ieil
unon the sofa. From heart torn with
anguish she shrieked aloud:
Frank! Frank why did L send you
from me? Why did I sacrifice love and
bannipess 10 such fate as this? Why