American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1881-04-30
MAUR'CE's JOURNAL.

outy 4, Lo|o.-We were marTIeu iast
Wednesday. in spite of Gertrude's
strange, feeble state. She was found on
her floor in swoon fortnight ago,
with a letter from Ronald in her hand.
After she recovered she sent for me and
said: Maurice, dear, take me. with all
my faults. I will try and be good
wife to YOU"
kissed her, with many tears, and
promised that if 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 so spiritually lovely at the
altar, that l 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, heavenl how have deserved this
happiness?
conquering Gertrude gone? 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
tn6 Olu OcIttTdi Will SOub anu HIS
oaths, am not astoniShcd that she does
est, most grateful, most tender crea-
turei good Maurice" she saws.
Rather as if I were big dog. howev-
er. But I have taken her, at her own
rating, and cannot complain.
Maurice! Mauricei have you done
wrong, have YOU killed this creature?
No. no! she shall live; she is my tOife.
That was only ruse about Ronald and
Lydia; but it secured me Gertrude.
Six weeks gone. We have 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 Dukes 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 snow some
interest in Westminster Abbey.
.'Ah! once hoped to see this" said
she. and then she sighed deeply.
august I2th.-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. do not" said
..do not, dear Maurice, tell me anything
suddenly
Ali she fears to fear that Ronald has
married Lydia. When shall dare to
tell her that have deceived herr
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
seemed to gain a new life in these soft
chimes; the picture galleries interest
her and she gazed with infinite tender
ness at Raphae's Madonna and Child
--yes-hsr own story; later, dearest
wife.
Rome, Rome, has tod its own old
story to her. Such nature as hers
could not but drink in its infinite conso-
lation! l have never seen n mind SO
rich. so appreciativer'
Art has broken in upon her sorrow.
She has thanked me, that l. and my
wealth have given her this high pleas
ure. Poor girl!
Next winter l have promised to take
her up the Nile. and she pressed my
manu- Ill Stlllleu db Il1C Will ucI Oiu
look, the look which won me.
She never speaks of home. / tell her
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. II wish you wouldn't thank me.
my wife, said l, in surly way; ..what
is mine is yours, isn't it?''
She did not answer. but she looked at
me sorrOwfully.
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
should exist. for q moment of wifely
comnlart. How wish that she would
order me about, ask me for money, be
extravagant, run up bills, desire a new
carriage and demand Castallani Jewell
ry. brought her home a sapphire, the
other day, an intaglio, head of some
Greek nicely cut. She looked at it, and
dropped it.
Then / examined the gem, and saw
that had brought home Ronald's pro.
file. That regular, delicate outline
looked ut her from out the silence of
ages. l had bought my own punish
ment again.
No! she does not want jewels! The
woman's life in her is crushed out, and
she is simply performing her part of
the contract. l bought her body, and