The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-04-19

dlately before her,-brand0n. MlW0od nad
seen him first, and now slipped out of sight
Emma, from being exceedingly pale, became
scarlet Yet conscious of innocence, she would
have offered an explanation, but Brandon took
no further notice of her, than casting upon her
look of extreme sternness, turned away and
hurried home. She came in soon after, and
going up to her husband would have explained
the circumstance, but he shook her off as if
she had been viper, exclaiming, of, madam,
nor dare to approach the victim of your treach-
cry. Know that an injured husbands honor
shall be vindicatedp Then in a more soften
ed voice he continued, I mayhave de-
served this judi dgement. but it has come in
shape that can least endure. Oh EN-.
ma! perfdious woman! could you find no other
way to revenge yourself?'
Edward exclaimed the astonished and deep.
ly indignant Emma, "what is it you suspect?
fyou reference to my accidental meeting with
the stranger, can easily explain
Il will listen to no explanation he furious
ly exclaimed; seeing is believing. Tomorrow
hunt up this miscreant, who dares creep into
the sancttude ofmy domestic circle, like ven-
omous serpent with his poisonous fangs, to in
Hlct WOuhd WHICH Hot even Ills HedrI uloou
can heal
Emma said nothing more. That her hus-
band should harbor a suspicion inimical to her
purity; that her innocent sympathy for stran-
ger should have involved her in such labyrinth
of difficulties was perfectly bewildering.-
Though pale, and agitated, she was too indig
nant to offer any further explanation. In a
state of mind it is impossible to describe, she re-
tired to rest that night. Her thoughts dwelt
upon her husband, and upon the stranger She
could not deny she took lively interest in the
latter. She however resolved to give him no
opportunity ofspeaking to her again. Itwas
enough that he had occasioned uneasiness to
her husband; and she trusted that should they
meet, an explanation would take place which
would end in the happiest results. In the mean
time, conscious innocense would be her support
Late in the afternoon Of the following day,
Brandon returned from his unsuccessful pursuit.
Haggard and exhausted he threw himself into
chair. His intensely excited feelings seemed
to have subsidized into soft melancholy, and as
Emma ventured to approach him, laying her
white hand on his forehead, and in low child
like accents, endeavored to reassure him, he
looked at her ingenious countenance, and into
those truthful loving eyes and was tempted to
believe she was yet all his own. Leaning his
fatigued head upon her bosom he wept. They
were tears that allayed his fevcrsh excitement,
and soothcd his feelings. He pressed her to
his heart, whispering Il will love thee whatever
thou art She now endeavored to explain all,
but her account was necessarily unsatisfactory,
Miwood's secret was not her own. He had
told her that he had potent reasons for not
wishing to reveal his story to Brandon at pres.
cnt. A doubt must therefore still lnger in her
husbands mind. 1t was barely a doubt, but
enough to prevent his being happy. A week
elapsed. Emma had not been out for fear
meeting Milwood, and string up anew Bran
don's suspicious, for she felt drawn to him with
n cord of sympathy that would not be loosed.
She was graphing with the impression that
somehow or other she was connected with him.
who knows, said she mentally, while the light
of hope irradiated her countenance, but that he
may be my father. | was left in the manner he
describes. Oh! she exclaimed aloud enthusi-
astcally clasping her hands, if it should turn
out so, with what pride would present him to
my husband. Take care Emma, you are i'm
llpOSSlDNltleS, seci
his child-for' several months, his interest in
you proceeds from fancicd resemblance to his
lost wife
A surprising change had come over Edward
Brandon. He had seen his error: no longer
merged in scenes ofgaiety, he was fast becom-
ing domestic, lover of home. 1t Is needless to
say that Emmn hailed this with joy, and hope
burned once moro brightly in her bosom. They
were one evening cozily seated in their little
parlor, he was reading the book which Emma
had succeeded in convincing him was her own
composition, when n servant entered, and hand
dher Il note, which she no sooner perused, than
her cheek flushed with The crimson emotion.
Next Joy irradiatcd her countenancc and then
settled into look of regret and irrcsolution.-
Brandon had all this time been watching the
changes in her countcnance, with the closest
scrutiny, and had put his own construction on
them And when he saw her cruunple up the
note and put it into her pocket, ell his suspi-
cions returned with redoublcd force Violently
starting from lis chair he insisted on seeing the
note. Emma, strangely agitatcd, threw her
self before him., and casped his knees. With
beseeching looks she cried, oh my husband
have confidence your Emma, and believe that
she wouldnot harbor athought injurious to your
honor cannot show you this not at present;
trust me only for a few days and all shall be
happily explained {.