The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-08-23
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THE MERCHANTS WIFE.
BY AN ENGLISH PHYSICIAN.
TContInuea.1
A Thrilling Sketch, founded on Fact


days.
Thus was the unfortunate Emma
mind racked by contending emotions
and the only thought that now cast &
CLEAN of comfort on the wretchednes.
of her condition, was vague. indistinc1
hope that George Grant might be able
to do something to ward off the threat.
ened miseries that surrounded her, and
possibly protect her against Colleti
without compromising her husbands
safety and reputation.
AS if by mutual consent, although no
agreement was entered into, the mer-
chant and his young wife avoided all
allusion to the subject of their agitating
conversation, and the morning again
came, bringing with it the usual hour
of Mr.. Markham's departure. Emma
saw him go with trembling apprehen-
sion, for she dreaded another visit from
the now ten times more horrid Colleti.
An hour passed in the greatest alarm,
but as no one came to announce the
dreaded name. Emma began TO breathe
more freely. when, just as she was con-
graduating herself on an escape for that
morning at least, she heard knock at
the street door which renewed all her
alarm. She heard the door opened-a
murmnred inquiry-and then the do
mestic's foot upon the stairs, she doubted
not to announce the object Of at once
her dread and abhorrence The door
was opened, and the servant announced
Mr.. George Grant.
What relief to Emma was the sound
of that name. How sweetly and how
musically did it ring in her ears, when
contrasted with that of Colleti, which
was foremost but moment before in
her Imagination so strongly, that she
almost doubted her own senses, and
made the servant repeat Mr.. George
Grant" before she could fully believe
in the reality of the relief it afforded
her
She remembered not all her prudent
resolves concerning her former lover.
She forgot that she intended to meet
him with GOODNESS, and by argument
force him from her presence forever
With heightened color she stood, after
giving the order to admit him, in
flutter of delight awaiting his arrival
She knew his very step upon the stairs,
she could have sworn to his shadow as
it darkened the entrance In another
moment he stood before her-the door
closed behind him, and they were alone.
Emma" said George.
That name called her to herself. For
one half instant she placed her hand
upon her heart, as if to stay its anxious
beating. then in a low faltering voice
she said
"Mr. Grant, my name is now Mrs.
Markham
He was silent, and she looked for the
first time in his face.
Emma said George, in voice of
deep emotion, "while | remain here,
which will not be long, permit me to
call You by that dear remembered
name. 1t was not Mr.. Markham's let
ter. offering me golden advantages,
that brought me back to the shores of
England No, was compelled to visit |
London TO take possession of a small |
legacy which has been left me by the |
only person that | could claim kindred |
with. | am now the last of my race
have no kindred call none by the |
same name as myself-all those social |
les, which disarm the rude shocks of |
he world of half their terrors, exist not |
or me. | am very lonely, Emma, and
iesolate."
No, no,n sobbed Emma, "there are
IT'LL those who esteem and-and-love
you, George"
believe it, know it,n he replied,
and those even my cruel destiny COM
,els me to leave forever. Emma, |
iave come here to bid, you last fare
veil, for we may never meet again in
his world.n
Do not say SOP sobbed Emma, and,
n her tumultuous feelings, she forgot
III but the agony of parting with him
he loved.
Could You imagine me,n he con-
inued, $50 inconsistent as, after having
made sacrifice which rent my heart
to come to you now to be your
vii spirit, Emma-to haunt you with
ny unhallowed presence, when-when
in honor | might have clung to you
nd dared to love you in the face of the
Whole worldn %
Emma looked up in his face. The
aleness was gone, and had given place
o the flush of excited feelings and
emotions.
Then yon have not consented to be- /.
ONE a partner of my husband'sw Ii
i have not, Emma: the two letters i
anne by the same post the one an {
ouncing the death Of my relative, and {
le other from Mr.. Markham, making g
le the generous offer of future compe- 8
'ncy, if not wealth. | wrote him an q
nswer, saying | should be in London
and thanking him for his a
fer. This he imagined to be an ac- b
sptance of il, but did not mean it as $
lch. Knowing that in London | could r
i avoid him and his generous hospi- d
lity, intended, with many kind o
lanks-mnre than could put in let v
Ito refuse the offer, see you once Il
ore. and leave my native shores for b
Tefp
{ Forever, Georgea aD "
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