The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-01-15


hands over her face. The young wife
appeared as much Mortified at the sight OIL
William as Margaret seemed delighted.
"Lucy, what does this mean" demand.
ed her husband.
Lucy only pressed her hands more
closely to her face.
"Shure, sir" cried the terrified domes-
4 tic, retreating down the kitchen stairs, sand
it's nothin' at all, at all, I've done to be
kilt for, but only jist | burnt the mate q
leetle, STRIP
And with the air of person conscious
of deep wrongs, and lacking resigned
and forgivihg disposition, Margaret drop.
ped down into the kitchen, and with wildly
flowing tresses, rushed out in search Of
the police.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Mowbray, throwing
herself upon the sofa in the sitting-room
sobbed with passion and shame. It was a
long time before she could speak, and
William, wounded to the heart, sat by her
endeavoring in vain to soothe her and
elicit an explanation.
"Oh! Don't look at me, William!" mur.
INJURED Lucy at last, scarlet with shame
"Don't speak to. me! | never can look
you in the face again' .
"What is the trouble?" Urged William
"Oh, have been so foolish!" so wick.
ed! | have given way to one of my fits
of passion!''
"One Of your fits of passioni" repeated
William, stupifed "You, Lucy! to have
fits Of passion! Oh, can't believe it!''
Lucy seemed crushed with shame. She
sobbed passionately. And when William
in great excitement, arose from her side
and paced nervously to and fro in no for
giving mood, she threw herself upon the
floor as if she would have died of humili
alton and grief. rr
William did not approach her, nor speak
kindly, nor seem to pity her; but still paced
to and fro, as if in furious rage. Bu
William was only grieved. .'-l
"Lucy," said he, at length, lifting hel
from the floor. 81 want you to sit up"
Lucy obeyed like a submissive child.
"Look me in the face"
For the first time the young woman.
sad and swollen eyes were uncovered
There was wild fire in them yet, but she
I fixed them on her husband.
"Do you indulge in fits of passon?'
asked William.
"Oh, don't kill me with such looks!'
pleaded the wretched woman. "See! m,
face is burning with shame! / acknowl
edge my fault at your feet. Then dom
look at me so. | don't deserve 10 be for.
given, perhaps, but you must overlooA
what cannot help"
"What you cannot help" repeated Viii.
liam, dismally.
"Yes-for have fits of passion, and |
cannot help it,"
William looked like man who had lost
all hope. His face was a mirror of sor-
row and despair.
"Listen to me-" he said in half whis-
per, holding Lucy's hands firmly as he
spoke, and looking with his earnest, search
ing eyes, into her very soul-"Lsten to
me, my wife! l am disappointed in you.
| cannot help telling you this frankly. |
have loved you dearly for nearly year.
and never before did | dream that you
could give way to those domestic curses,
fits of passion. You should have told me
of this before!''
Sand if | had!" cried Lucy, the fire in
her eyes brightning, like dim Goals famed
by the wind.
"If you had" said William, in severe,
resolute tone, 81 should have felt that
was committing a sin, when took you to
be the companion of my life and the moth.
er of my children!' m
"A sinl" gasped Lucy
ga sin against myself" continued
William, firmly, "but not so much against
myself, as against my children; for your
fits of passion can occasion me only few
years Of unhappiness, while they will ruin
the dispositions of our children, and de.
vote them to lifelong misery"
Lucy shrank away from her husband as
if she had been fearful Of giving him the
plague. His resolute tone, and severe but
rational language, instead of increasing
her anger, only humbled her still more.
She fell at his feet. s..
"Forgive me for deceiving you'll" she
pleaded. 81 should have told you my
faults; but shame prevented me. And |
thought could govern myself too! Only
forgive me that, and pity my misfortune.
81 forgive you that" said William, taxi
ing her in his arms. "But don't call your
fits Of passion misfortune. To indulge
in rage, such as you have just manifested,
is fault which condemn. Why, it is
horrible! / could not believe it was you!
] supposed it was some fiend, and thought
] should sink when was assured that it
was you. But those fits of passion-you
can govern them, Lucy, if you will. 1t is
folly TO say you cannot help giving way to
them" M
"Oh, cant help it"
Then, by heaven, you must!' exclaim.
ed William, like a man determined to eff.
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