The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-08-15

The wife essayed once more, ED
ward," she said slowly, mildly, and afTec-
tionaely, " the time has been, when you
were willing TO con6de your secret Joys and
sorrows to one, who has never, trust be-
trayed your confidence. Why then, my
dear Edward, is this cruel reserve. You
are troubled, and yet you refuse to me the
cause"
Something Of returning tenderness soft
ened for an instant the cold severity of the
husbands features, but it passed away, and
bitter smile was his only reply.
Time passed on, and the twain were sep
arated from each other The husband sat
gloOmily and alone in the damp cell of a
dungeon. He had followed ambition as his
God, and had failed in his high career, He
had mingled with men whom his heart
loathed-he had sought out the fierce and
wronged spirits Of his land, and had breath
ed into them the madness Of revenge. He
had drawn his sword against his country
he had famed rebellion to fame, which
had been quenched in human blood. lie
had fallen mserably fallen-and he had
been doomed to die the death Of traitor.
1t was his last night of life. The NOR
row was the day appointed for his execu-
ton. He saw the sun sink behind the
green hills of the west,as he sat by the dim
CRATE Of his dungeon, with feeling Of un.
utterable horror. He felt that it was the
last sun that would set TO him, 1t woult
cast its next level and sunset rays upon his
grave-upon the grave Of dishonored trai
tor
| The door of his dungeon opened, and ;
light form entered and threw herself into
bis arms. The softened light of sunset fel
upon the pale brow and wasted cheek o
his once beautiful wife.
"Edward-my dear Edward" she said
81 have come to save you. have foachet
you after thousand difficulties,a and thank
God that my purpose is NEARLY accom-
pllshed.
Misfortune had softened the proud hear
of manhood, land as the husband pressed hi
pale wife 10 his bosom, a tear trem6led OF
his eyelash. 81 have not deserved this
Kindness" he murmured in the chokeC
tones of conclusive agony.
Edward" said his wife, in an earnest
but faint, fearful debility, 1--WE have not
moment to lose. By an exchange of gar
ments yon will be enabled to pass out un'
noticed. Haste, or we may be too late.-
Fear nothing for me, am woman, and
they will not injure me for my efforts in
behalf Of husband, dearer than life it
SELF"
"But Margaret" said the husband, "you
look sadly i'll. You cannot breathe the ali
of this dreadful CELL"
"Oh, speak not of me, my dearest I'd
ward," said the devoted woman. 81 can
endure every thing for your sake. Haste
Edward-haste, and all will be well."-
and she aided with Trembling hand to
disguise the proud form of her husband in
female garb.
Farewell my love, my preserverwhis-
pered the husband in the ear of his disguis-
ed wife, as the officer sternly reminded the
supposed lady that the time allotted for her
visit had expired Farewell, we shall
meet again." responded his wifs-and the
husband passed out unsuspected, and escap-
ed the enem les Of his life.
They did meet again-that wife and hus-
: band-but only as the dead may meet-m
the awful commUnings of another world
Affection had borne up her exhausted spirit
until TIE last great purpose of her exeriions
was accomplished in the safety of her hus-
band, and when the bell tolled on the
morn, and the prisoners cell was opened,
the goaler found wrapped in the habIlimentS
of their destined victim, the pale 5ut still
beautiful corse of the devoted WIFE.
The " Friends" have been influential in