The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-12-30


ed away, but Grace sprung forward and threw
| herself at his feet in an agony of supplication.
"fou can rise, was the sole reply. 81 have
sense enough left to cast the viper from me
when feel its sting"
Two hours later, Grace moved at her fathers
side along the silent street-a porter followed
with the trunks. Before the stage house stood
the Cumberland coach, its lamps burning dim
| ly through the misty ar-the driver was upon
| the box
An ostler brought out the steps and, with
his aid, Grace entered the ponderous vehicle,
The driver cracked his whip, the coach rolled
heavily away, and the stern father walked
homeward through the darkness and the fall
| ing rain
CHAP. VI.
The set to which Henry Seymour had the
honor of belonging, and in which he shone con-
| spicuous, consisted of II number of uncommon
ly fast young men, who lived freely and
played high, who We're connoisseurs in wine
and horses, and exquisites in dress, and whose
society, moreover, was exceedingly congenial to
a person of his tastes and habits
One of these gentlemen, Mr.. Bradshawe
gave magnificent champagne supper on the
occasion OF some great triumph in the betting
line Among the choice spirits who surround
ed the festive board was Grace's husband. 1t
was growing late the wine had circulated
freely and It's influence was beginning to be
felt among the company who passed rapidly
from good-fellowship to uproarious merriment
| Henry Seymour was in the midst of a baccha-
nal song, true Dithyrambic, in which he was
accompanied by the cheers of his auditors
when knock at the door caused moments
cessation in their mirth.
"a message for Seymour" reported Mr.
Bradshaw, who had risen to learn the cause of
the interruption.
"A message for me, thought that gentle.
man. with anxious recollection of the unpaid
bills in his pocket. There was no dun in wait
ing, however; it was only u servant belonging
TO the hotel The relief he experienced at the
sight of the familiar face was very great
"What do you want with me, William" he
inquired"
please step out into the hail. sir. There
lady that wants to see you in the back par
lOr, and she sent word to have you come as
soon as you could-a young lady sir, and very
pretty"
"Who the deuce can it be, at this time of
night thought Seymour, on his progress
| down the stairs
A woman, sitting by window of the back
parlor, turned as he entered the light of a
lamp on the table fell full upon her features, and
he recognised his wife
"Why, Gracel' he exclaimed, in unmixed
astOnishment "what in the world brought you
here?n
Grace had felt, throughout her journey, u
dread of informing Seymour of the state OF af-
fairs she had an instructive knowledge that
he would be amazed, perhaps angry with her,
This greeting did not tend to reassure her; she
trembled visbly, and some minutes passed be-
fore she found courage to reply Seymour sat
down by her he talked gently and softly, and
by degrees drew from her the history of the
last few days.
Good Heavens" he cried as the full ex-
tent of the misfortune broke upon him. "what
fools we were! We might have known how it
would end of course, such thing could never
be kept secret"
Poor Grace--tbrust forth by her father, this
was she welcome she received from her hus-
band Under ordinary circumstances she
might have given naughty and defiant an-
swer; but now, overcome by fatigue and dis
tress of mind, all pride was forgotten; she
leaned her head on the edge of table near nj
hand, and burst into unrestrained weeping
Seymour was soltened by her tears
My darling Grace" he said, "you must
not pay any attention to my hasty words
sincerely beg your pardon. The fact IT, am
in a very awkward position, and don't know
which way to turn There is not even place
where we can talk the matter over any one in
the hall could hear every word we say Then
those fellows up stairs are expecting me every
moment. IPll toll you what to do, he added,
after some reflection, "you must stay here and
amuse yourself as well as you can't is NO late
that you will not be interrupted will excuse
myself to Bradshawe, and come back as soon az
possible. | cannot leave abruptly, as it would
excite observation, and that would spoil every
thing"
IL hope you will not leave me here, alone,
said Grace, tmidly, "lf you knew what look
that servant gave me when asked for you
Oh, Henry ! feel so insulted so Inundated"
"You must excuse him you see that your
coming here in the dead of night would look
rather queer to any one who did not know
about you; and, of course, nobody here dresmt
that you are my wife Well, since you feel
unwilling to be left alone, will engage room
for you, and you must make yourself as com.
Portable as possible till come back"
: left to think over the events of her reception
Seymour rejoined his companions He Eel,
himself very ill.used, unfortunate man. BY
an odd porverson of ideas, he regarded Grace as
in some way the nstigator of their secret mar
riage, and himself as a victim inveigled into
the proceeding. Such being the case, be WAS
justly indignant at having her thrust upon
| HMM the very hour, too, of his EXTREMIST
need Asfor keeping her with him, that was
out Of the question; his debts amounted to
more than all his earthly possessions would
bring in the market, and it was useless to look
for help from his father Grace must 90 home
again. and nobody should know of the oonncc-
| ton between them till some future time, fin
definite when they could live as became people
of their station. He now realized what a silly
act their marriage had been why could they
not have waited Just ~ well without iti
When, at last, he withdrew from the conviv-
ial group, and sought Grace, to arrange with
her his plan Of action he WAS in rather irri-
table mood--qute disposed to say harsh things
and find fault on every hand but the sight of
the fair, sad face, which he had known 30
bright and cheerful, moved his heart to pity
"My dearest Grace" no said drawing her
tenderly toward him. show | wish we could
stay together we might then leave your father
to come 10 his senses in his own good time
But as it is, my love, ! don't support myself,
and cannot see any way but to write TO him,
and ask him to take you back again. You
must send very eloquent letter, and say all
that will be likely To move him. You look
surprised Grace but, upon my honor, know
Of no other way TO manage
Anything but that she exclaimed pas
sioG4tely show can ] beg him TO take me
back! Oh, Henry, you should not ask me to
do it. Itwould be Of no service, either; he
will never forgive me as long ~ he lives; felt
that the night he sent me from him"
He was very angry then, you Sec" persist
ed Seymour he has been sorry enough since,