The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1842-01-22

olullUCIs
When her husband returned the mex
day, he found her still in bed, and hel
pale and haggard countenance excited hi:
apprehensions; but she assured him she
was onl y suffering from violent head
ach, from which few hours of rest woult
entirely relieve her. lie was engaged tc
dine that day with party of gentlemen
at the house of friend, and Edith urget
him so earnestly to keep his engagement
assuring him that she should be better il
left entirely alone, that he consented "a
least to leave her.
Among the guests assembled round the
dinner table of Mr.. Morton, was a stran-
ger, who was introduced to Douglass as
Mr. Newton Of the Navy. lie sat oppo-
site to him, and taking advantage of a
pause in the conversation, leaned across
the table, and said, in a loud voice.
"llow is Edith?'
"Sir!' said Douglass completely tax ell
by surprise, and indeed snpposing the
man to be deranged.
slow is Edith? beg your PARDON
Mrs. Douglass, mean"
Sir" said Douglass, struggling to keep
down his passion, ''do you know Ct
whom you speak? Be assured this inso-
lencc shall not 60 unpnnished."
81 meant no offence, sir, and from my
knowledge of the lady, methinks should
know something of her, having been her
correspondent for some time, and having
now my possession letter Of hers, which
! received only yesterday"
And with sneer of triumph Newton
threw on the table the note which the I'M
fortunate Edith had addressed to him, on
the preceding day. One glance at the
direction was sufficient to show Doug
less that it was indeed the handwriting of
his wife. Maddened by the discovery.
he seized glass which stood before him.
and dashed its contents full in the face of
his nsulter.
All now was confusion. The compa-
ny broke up, and the principal parties adj
Journed to neighboring hotel, where a
challenge was given and accepted, and all
the prellminares adjusted for meeting
which was to take place early on the en-
suing morning, and the. terms OF which |
were such as TO preclude the possibility
of both parties leaving the ground alive.
And where was Edith while all this was
passing2 As soon as her husband had
lelt her, she summoned he. attendant. and
imparling to her as much of the affair as
she deemed necessary for her to know,
despatched her to the place of meeting
appointed by Newton. After an inter
val, which to Edith appeared intermina-
bic, the girl returned, saying that she had
seen 70 gentleman, and that after remain
ing on the spot for more than an hour,
she had returned, supposing it useless to
continue there any longer
Iour after hour elapsed, and Douglass
had not returned, and Edith, who felt his
absence arelief, was preparing to seek re-
pose, when his foot step was heard on
The stairs. Involuntary, she started from
her seat, and advanced to meet him as he
entered the apartment; but as she raised
her eyes to his face, its stern, almost fero-
cious expression, alarmed her, and utter.
ing wild cry Of terror, she sank on the
floor at his feet. lie did no; attempt to
raise her, but throwing himself into
chair, he covered his face with his hands,
and remained for some time silent. At
length, fixing his eyes on the PROSTATE
form OF his wife, he said, in accents which |
pierced her very soul.
"Rise, woman, and tell me what is the |
meaning OF this" and he put into her
hands tie cover of the note which he had |
torn from Newton-"Speak." he added, |
''ahd possible tell me the truth"
kneeling at his feet, and in scarcely
audible voice, Edith obeyed him. She
told him all, and then with clasped hands
and streaming eyes, she prayed him for
forgiveness.
"Do not cast me from you, my hus-
band" she said, remember am the moth
er of your boy"
Gradually the stern features of her hus-
band relaxed. lie raised her from the
floor, and taking hef hand in his, he said,
81 do forgive you, Edith, and if dared
to pray, would pray to God to comfort
you. Come, let's 60 see our child"
They went together to the nursery.
The attendant was sleeping soundly, but
the infant awakened by the noise which
their entrance occasioned, smiled as they
bent over his cradle, and held out his lit
lie hands. The father took him in his
arms, and as he gazed upon his bright
young face. and felt that he might never
more hehold it, tears of bitter anguish
filled his eyes. He seemed for the first
time to realize the criminality of the deed
he medltated, as he felt that by it his child
might be deprived of its natural protector,
and exposed to all the evils from which
it was his duty, and under happier cir
cumstances would have been his pleasure,
to guard its tender years. He dared not
pursue this train of thought, and smoth-
erlng the groan which rose to his lips. he