The Mask of the Red Death - Graham's Magazine, May 1842 — reading text

common sense, ness of the weary life she led. Clifton had been un- or a more careful judgment. His hair was white, NI te usually irritated; when the morrow came, it still and fell in long smooth locks over his shoulders ; his manifested itself in many ways that bore hard on eye-brows were heavy, and shaded an eye as keen Lucy ; she did not reply to an angry word that fell and penetrating as though years had no power to see eat. mirage meso from his lips, but she felt none the less deeply. Some dim its light. The high, open brow, and the quiet misconduct in the child induced him to reflect with tenderness that dwelt in his smile, were the crown- bitterness on her maternal management. She drew ing charms of a countenance on which nature had her hand over her eyes to keep back the tears, her stamped her seal as her “ noblest work.” He spoke lip quivered, and her voice trembled as she uttered: to Lucy of other days, of the happy home from *Do not speak so harshly Clifton, if the fault is all whence he came, till her tears came down like mine, most certainly the misery is also!’ ‘“summer rain,’’ with the mingling of sweet and bit- ‘** Of what avail is it to speak otherwise?” he said ter recollections. Of her children next, and her eye sternly, ‘“‘ you deserve wretchedness, and it is only lighted, and her color came bright and joyous—the the sure result of your precious system.” warm feelings of a mother’s heart responded to every ‘Did you ever encourage me to reform, or point word of praise he uttered. Of her husband—and out the way?’ urged Lucy, gently. sadly ‘‘Uncle Joshua” noticed the change ;—her ‘¢T married a woman for a companion, not a child voice was low and desponding, and a look of sorrow to instruct her,’’ he answered bitterly. and care came back to the youthful face: ‘ Clifton *‘ Ay—but I was a child! happy—so happy in that was succeeding in business; she was gratified and eea me ree seat esac olden time, with all to love, and none to chide me. proud of his success,” and that was all she said. A child, even in years, when you took me for a wife ‘* Uncle Joshua’s’’ visit was of some duration. He —too soon a mother, shrinking from my responsibili- saw things as they really were, and the truth pained eelDS a ties, and without courage to meet my trials. I found him deeply. ‘‘ Lucy,” he said quietly, as one day apeea no sympathy to encourage me—no forbearance that they were alone together—‘‘I have much to say, my years were few—no advice when most I needed and you to hear. Can you bear the truth, my dear it—no tenderness: when my heart was nearly break- girl?” She was by his side in a moment. ing. It is the first time, Clifton, I have reproached ‘‘ Anything from you, uncle. Tell me freely all ke_ «as —_ you; but the worm will turn if it is trodden upon,” you think, and if it is censure of poor Lucy, little and Lucy left the room. It was strange, even to doubt but that she will profit by it.” mate ma <a herself, that she had spoken so freely, yet it seemed ‘¢ You are a good girl !” said ‘* Uncle Joshua,” rest- a sort of relief to the anguish of her heart. That ing his hand on her head, ‘and you will be rewarded * he had allowed her to depart without reply did not yet.” He paused for a moment ere he said—‘ Lucy, surprise her; it may be doubted, although her heart you are not a happy wife. You married with bright pined for it, if ever she expected tenderness from prospects—who is to blame ?” =m: QD of Ams 4 nae eames tern tenn en ira slg gt agen th iii he where ata  PROCRASTINATION. 263 ‘*T am—but not alone,” said Lucy, in a choking thing to repay her for the wasted love of many years, voice, ‘‘not alone, there are some faults on both she would encourage no new hopes to find them as sides.” false as the past. ‘* Let us first consider yours; Clifton’s faults will ‘Uncle Joshua” sat together with Dr. Clifton, in not exonerate you from the performance of your duty. the office of the latter. For the love I bear you, Lucy, I will speak the truth: ‘*Has it ever struck you, Doctor, how much Lucy all the misery of your wedded life proceeds from the is altered of late ?”’ fata] indulgence of a procrastinating spirit. One wn- ‘**T cannot say that I see any particular alteration. corrected fault has been the means of alienating It is some time since you saw her ;—matrimony is your husband’s affections, and bringing discord and not very favorable to good looks, and may have di- misrule into the very heart of your domestic Eden. minished her beauty,” This must not be. You have strong sense and feel- ‘Tt is not of her beauty I speak. Her character ing, and must conquer the defect of character that is wholly changed; her spirits depressed, and her weighs so heavily on your peace.” energies gone,”’ and ‘‘ Uncle Joshua” spoke warmly. Lucy burst into tears—‘‘I fear I never can—and if ‘**T never thought her particularly energetic,” said I do, Clifton will not thank me, or care.” the Doctor, dryly. “Try, Lucy. You can have little knowledge of ‘“No one would suppose, my good sir, you had the happiness it would bring or you would make the ever thought, or cared much about her.” ‘Uncle effort. And Clifton will care. Bring order into his Joshua” was angry; but the red spot left his cheek household and comfort to his fireside, and he will as soon as it came there as he went on:—‘‘ Let us take you to his heart with a tenderer love than he speak in kindness of this sad business. I see Lucy ever gave to the bride of his youth.” was in the right in thinking you had lost all affection Lucy drew her breath gaspingly, and for a mo- for her.” naaeee Se ment gazed into her uncle’s face with something of “Did Lucy say that? I should be sorry she his own enthusiasm; but it passed and despondency thought so.” omETE oe7aa er .a came with its withering train of tortures to frighten ‘¢ A man has cause for sorrow, when a wife fully her from exertion. believes his love for her is gone. Nothing can be ; : “You cannot think, dear uncle, how much I have more disheartening—nothing hardens the heart more todo; and my children are so troublesome,-that I fearfully, and sad indeed is the lot of that woman : can never systematize time.”’ who bears the evils of matrimony without the happi- AAI PUNE ARMENIA IED PAID SO OM mi AOe iS DO