The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-11-15

ter who was unusually beautiful and
accomplished for that section. She was
perhaps as nearly the ideal woman,
physically, as existed outside of an ar
lists brain-may be a little above the
medium height, beautifully proper
toned, possessing black eyes and halr,
and, while described as rather cold, she
had a certain charm of manner and
conversation that made her belle. She
numbered among her admirers the
young men of Gallatin and Lebanon,
and even had suitors from Nashville.
Among the last was young Houston,
who had received during his political
struggles considerable support through
the influence OF her father. While he
did not win her affections as readily as
he had hoped. he persevered and finally
gained her consent to become his wife.
Love is said to be blind-it proved
to be so in Houstons case. Not lit
tie opinionated, obliged to see that he
was the idol of a majority Of the people
of his state, and fattered by friends
and acquaintance. he naturally sup
posed that his affection would win hers
in return, and so went into the mar
riage a completely deceived man. On
that wedding day of January, 1929. as
he and his friends came riding up to
the Allen home, he presented a fine
appearance. The governor of the state,
honorS clustered around him and men
held him in reverence. Sensuous, strong
in animal spirits and loving madly, as
only such person can love, the tall
bridegroom dressed in the convention
al black broadcloth, looked eagerly to-
ward the windows of the room of his
affianced for a glimpse of her face,
waving of her handkerchief or some
little token of affection which love COW
cts. But nothing of the kind was seen,
and there was q lack of heartiness of
welcome which might we'll have ere
ated some misgivings. Another might
not have attributed it solely to tirnidity
and nervousness superinduced by the
occasion.
The truth was, the bride did not love
him, and acknowledged as much to a
cousin before the marriage. Governor
Houston is noble and loves me-" are the
words which have come down through
the years. But my heart is not
his. 1 yielded to his wish to become
his wife to please my parents. 1
feel now, even though the wedding hour
is drawing near. that l have made a
great mistake. I should have told him
that [ have no heart to give hint be-
longs to one, who, as far as ] know
does not prize it I know that [ can
his irapulsive nature expects, and this
cannot satisfy him" And this was the
secret of their estrangement-love such
as the bridegroom's would be con-
tented with nothing less than love.
@ @ @
Houston had been elected governor
two years before. and was at the time
of his marriage Sc years of age. Those
who saw the bride congratulated him
n -11n
tinct charm to his administration, So
cially speaking, and as the weeks went
by the public had no idea of the rapid
ly approaching trouble that would
make bitter the lives of the couple Mrs
Houston. before three months passed
not enjoying the new life upon which
she had entered, went to her fathers
for short visit. History chronicles
the sequel. Her husband, longing for
the society of his bride, followed her
within a few days-and then he aban-
doned her, resigned the governorship
and sought forgetfulness among the
Cherokee Indians of Arkansas until the
war between Mexico and Texas offered
prospect for excitement.
This much the public is familiar with:
but again her words to the cousin whom
she alone confided in come down
tiIOuSH Tie years II IS possible / am
to blame, though heaven knows have
tried to do my duty. l ought to have
told him before marriage that [ could
not love him. Then. how could l. see
ing that the person 1 had given my
love never avowed his? Governor
Houston but once or twice since our
marriage seemed to notice the cDldness
which 1 tried to hide: and when he
came to my fathers on my return home
/ could not meet him as affectionately
as he had hoped. He remarked it,
was aggrieved, and said that ne would
never again intrude his love on me-
told him there that l never loved but
honored him. [ signified that l could
not force affections growth. but would
try 70 cultivate it. He refused any
compromise and left, though / rad no
idea that he would not reflect and come
back until I heard of his resignation
as governor"
@ 9 o
While this explanation of the separ-
alton is in the nature of secondary
evidence is it not substantiated by
General Houston in his letter afterward
to a friend-the only time he was ever
known to mention the matter? ELIZA
stands acquitted by me-" he wrote. II