The Soldier's Wife — page 48: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE SOLDIER'S WIFE. had suddenly opened yawningly between him- self and that village which was associated with all the dearest and tenderest memories of his life. ST The hostler of the Royal Oak had faithfully fulfilled his promise to Frederick Lonsdale, and by entrusting the letter to Martha thc first The journey was continued to Coventry, time he met her, had thus ensured its convey- which was at a distance of about thirty miles from Oakleigh—that city being the head-quar- ters of the recruiting district embracing the midland counties. ‘They reached the barracks at a late hour in the evening; and the recruits were assigned to a room where there were se- veral others who had arrived the same day from different places. On the following morn- ing they were conducted one by one into the presence of the adjutant, whose duty it was to ascertain whether in respect of stature and bodily strength they were fit for the. military service. Lonsdale was passed in a very few moments,—his noble height and fine personal appearance at once speaking fur his capacity in that respect. He was then examined by the surgeon, whose report was likewise favourable ; and these ceremonies being fulfilled, he re- turned to his quarters in the barracks. ance to the hands of her for wk om it was des- tined. If anything had been required to con- vince poor Lucy of her Frederick’s unchanging and unchangeable affection, this letter would have had the etfect. She saw that much of the writing was blotted by the tears which had fallen from Frederick’s eyes as he penned it; and in its impassioned language she discovered but too plainly the anguish of heart which he must have experienced at the time. She saw therefore, how truly and tenderly she was be- loved; and although she shed bitter tears over that letter, yet when the first frantic paroxysm of mental agony was passed, she derived con- solation from the epistle, inasmuch as it served as a proof of Frederick’s unalterable love. A month, we said, had passed; and now that Lonsdale was no more in the village, and Davis A| observed that his daughter’s mind was becom- eouple of days afterwards the depot of the re-|ing calmer, he gradually relaxed the stern vigi- giment in which he had enlisted was ordered! lanee which he had exereised over her. Once to repair to Portsmouth; and thus our hero|again was she enabled to ramble out by herself; was removed many, many long miles from the village in the neighbourhood of which dwelt the object who was dearest in all the world to him. CHAPTER X. THE TYRANT FATHER. A montH had elapsed since the departure of the recruits from the village ; and in the mean- time Lucy Davis recovered a certain degree of mental composure. She was naturally en- dowed with considerable strength of mind; and for Lonsdale’s sake she saw the necessity o* bearing up with all her fortitude against the terrible blow which had annihilated all their arrangements and shattered their hopes of im- mediate happiness. She knew that he had en- listed for seven years. Seven years! was not that an age to a heart that fondly loved? Yes: but love is accompanied by hope; and the confidence that it feels in its strength, na- turally inspires a like confidence that its fidel- ity will be rewarded in the end. Now, there- fore, Lucy looked forward to the expiration of those seven years. She was only twenty—she would then be twenty-seven—and that would and she would seek the bank of the purling streamlet where she and her lover had been wont to meet—and she would repair to the old oak in the midst of the wood where the avowal of his love had been first made; and there poor Lucy would linger for hours together, thinking of the past—mournfully reflecting upon the present—and yet at the same time strengthen- ing herself with hopes for the future. But often, when those scenes thus brought vividly back to her mind the many happy hours she had passed there with her lover, a gush of in- effable feeling would well up from the foun. tains of her heart, and her tears would flow thick and fast, and her bosom wou!d become eonvulsed with sobs. Nevertheless, she exerted all her fortitude to subdue these outbursts of emotion; and aided by the natural strength of her mind, she gradually acquired that degree of calm which enabled her to elaborate her hopes into plans and projects for the future. During this interval of a month her father had never once touched upon that topic which, when he first introduced it to her attention, 50 much shocked her. Let it not, however, ve supposed that he had abandoned his views. No—he was, if possible, more completely bent etill be young. Frederick was but two-and-|upon them than ever; but with characteristie twenty—he would then be under thirty, and likewise still young. Had she not therefore every reason to hope and anticipate that many ‘oug years of happiness would await them, when once the period of trial and separation nould be passed? Oh! to what straws does ene hope of the loving heart cling! at what hantoms does it clutch! in what visions does 1b cradle itself! But were it not for hope, what would become of poor suffering human nature? and very beautiful indeed is the an- cient myth which allegorically left hope re- caution, he waited until he saw that Lucy’s mind had regained somewhat of tranquillity ané calmness. For the first week or two aftea Lonsdale’s departure, he had been cold, stern and distant in his manner towards her. Gra dually, however, did he assume a kinder mien and a gentler mode of speech—at length adopt ing even more than his former fondness: for the designing man meant not only to conciliate but also to coax and cajole. Lucy treated him with filial respect; but the pristine warmth of her love towards her parent was chilled in maining at the bottom of Pandora’s box, when|her heart: the mask had been removed from on opening it, myriads of evils flew forth and|his countenance—and she understood his cha- fastened themselves upon the world and all|racter. All the youthful freshness of a maiden’s that it contained. confiding love towards her sire was therefore ; GO 6)(6)(0) AMC cS (EO)