The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-04-28
1t was strange love-ietter to man
whom have promised to marry next
Wednesday week; but have sent it.
What is this? a letter from Ronald:
DEAR G ERrRUDE.-I have engaged to marry
.MAUR-CE'S JOURNAL,


-. .MAUR'CE's JOURNAL.
July +, ZS7S.-We were married last
Wednesday, in spite of Gertrude 5
strange, feeble state. She was found on
her floor in a swoon a 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. 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 I was afraid she would van
ish. She is infinitely tender and dear,
and leans her head on my shoulder and
leaves her hand in nine! -..,-.---,-J
Oh, heaven! how have l deserved this
happiness?
But where is the energetic aud all
conquering Gertrude gone? She has no
will, no energy, no power. She has
allowed the new french maid to dress
her, to pacl 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. .@r-seaas
As for feeling very sorry at leaving
the old General with his govt and his
Oaths, am not astOnished that she does
| not care much. But to me, the sweet
est, most grateful. most tender crea-
ture! good IHasrice," she SAYS. E-&
Rather as if were a big dog. howev-
err. But have taken her, at her own
rating, and l cannot complain.
Maurice!, Maurice! have you done
wrong, have you killed this creatureo
No, no! she shall live; she is my vyfs.
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 .esta,es with; 8. quiet
elegance as ii she were aDuke's dauyh-
ter How the conversation stops as she
enters! She is so beautiful! How she
becomes my wealth! n.. ...a
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. aud 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. do not" said
she, her lips growing a shade paler,
lido not. dear Maurice. tell me anything
suddenly"
All! she fears to hear that Ronald has
married Lydia. When shall dare to
tell her that l have deceived here 1'f
| December.-TheI 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
sclimes; the picture galleries interest
her and she gazcd with infinite tender.
ness at Raphaers Madonna and Child
--yes-hsr own story; later, dearest
wife. ~
Rome, Rome, has told its own old
story to her. Such nature rs hers
could not but drink in its infinite conso.
lation! / have never seen a mind Sc
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 I have promisedTto 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 hel
of her mother = improvement, of Julia,
comfort, Of. the Generals endowment Of
1.-THE Hot Sulphur. She smilesand thanks
me. and got up the other day and kissed
me. ...lt !, - Ia. :. .j,....
GOOD Maurice. good Maurice said
she. Still a little Of the big dog man.
ner. II wish you wouldn't thank me,
my wife," said !, in surly way; ''whai
10 mine is yours. isn't it?'' sui-f,,est If
She did not answer. but she looked al
me sorrowiullv. 'i""s tta ar..
| 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 moment of wifely
consma,,i. How / wish that size would
order me about, ask me for money, be
extravagant, run up bil'S desire = new
l'carriaqe and demand CastalIani jewel
ry. drought her home sapphire, the
other day, an intaglio, q head OF some
Greek nicely cut. She looked It. and
dropped 1t. .4,a .'i.. &c.
Then I examined the gem. and saw
that had brought home Renald's pro.
file. That regular, delicste outline
looked at her from out the silence Of
ages. l had bought my own punish
ment.again. >, !, - vr, ka4ae. 4
/ No! She does not want jewels! The
womasAs life in her rs crushed cut, and
she is simply periorpipg her part Of
! the. contract. ] thought her. body, and