Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-06-04

fashionable season was in its meridian, and
could not be cruel enough to ask Isabella
to accompany me. She had latterly taken
more pleasure in parties, balls, and concerts
than heretofore. Perhaps l had kept her
too close; we were too domestic. After
all, it was not the way of the world. /
thought SO, and Hastings agreed with me;
l would see it reformed altogether when l
returned.
In the meantime l begged Hastings to
look in now and then, and see that she was
not lonely and out of spirits. 1t was nat
ural to expect that my first absence from
her would cause her to feel SO. He prom
Used as l requested, and l set off in the
country, where was detained more than
two months; and at length finding myself
released from an irksome attendance on
very unpleasant business, took post-hor-
ses, and with all the ardor of lover re-
turned to London.
returned to London
remember the minutest particulars of
that scene so well! Not title of it h as es-
capped my memory--not a word, not syl
liable! 1t will never depart from my mind
from my soul!
When the porter opened the door, l has
tened through the hall, and sprang up stairs,
into the drawing room. She was not
there; but my little boy, hearing my we'll
known footsteps, came from the adjoining
room and ran towards me. l caught him
in my arms, and gave him thousand
kisses.
"Wel, my dear little fellow, and where
is your mammal"
"Not here-not here" said the boy, look
ing around; "but I'm so glad you've come
backr'
Isabella was gone out, doubtless. l
rang the bell. / did not observe Mrs. Mar
tin the house-keeper, enter the room-l
was still caressng the child.
"Ha! Mrs. Martin-But what's the mat
ter? You look i'll. Where is Mrs. Saville!
The woman spoke not, but trembled vio-
lently, and turned very pale. | motioned
her to take seat. She did so.
"My dear madame you alarm me-" said /.
"Is anything wrong-your mistress"
Tears were streaming down the woman's
hands clasped before her she came towards
me.
"Oh, sir bear it like a man." she cried.
weepingly;-"do bear it like man, sir
That should live to tell you this-I who
have carried you in these arms, and have
prayed thousand times for your happiness
when | should be dead and gomez
She paused. Perhaps my face revealed
the sickness of heart which overcame
me. l could not rise from my seat;
could not lift the child from my knee, as
he lay upon my bosom with his head press
ed against my heart.
"Merciful Heavenl--Isabella is ill--she
is dying!-at once, at once tell NC"
"No, no." said the woman bitterly, "she
is not i'll or dying. Mr.. Saville, l burst not
tell you my suspicious before you left town
i burst not, sir. For mercy's sake COM
pose yourself! My mistress left this house
last Tuesday night with Mr.. Hastings"
That horrible shrek still rings in my
ears. l remember thrusting the child from
me, and clasping my head with my hands;
and then | was smitten down-struck to
the earth--worse than dead-oh, how
much worse than deadl
1t was long, long, hideous dream that
succeeded, full of woe, and lamentations,
and weeping, and curses, and despair But
| awoke at last from that dream. Where
was IL 1t was very narrow, but lofty
room; the walls were whitewashed, and
there was one small window about twelve
feet from the floor. | was seated on low
trucke- bed; and as turned my eyes from
the light of the window they fell upon my
hands, which were laid before me. Around
my wrists there were deep marks, as tho
they had been tied together with cords; and
when / moved, sharp pain went round
me, like a girdle. But the rope had been
loosened, and was no longer about me. A
man entered the room.
"How do you feel yourself now" said
he, laying his hand upon my shoulder.
looked up. Methought | recognised
the voice, and the face was almost familia!
to me, and repulsively so.
81 am very we'll" answered. "Where
am IT.
The man said nothing, but silently lief
the room, presently returning with gen
, tleman, of whom, as of the man, l had al
| indistinct remembrance.
! "You will be better soon, SIR said Thu
r person kindly, as he felt my pulse; and HI
r turned towards the man, and spoke to hin
= in an under tone. "Let him be kept yer.
= quiet" was all heard, and he retired short
ly after.
! Yes:-I had been mad-raving mad
: for two years, and was now slowly strug
Q Cling back into consciousness. Feebl
glimmerings of the past came upon me a
e first, and then farther half revelations wer
v extended to me; until at length the cauS