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

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 air-the driver was upon
the box
An ostler brought out the steps, aud, 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 number of uncommon
ly FAST young men, who lived freely and
played high, who were connosseurs in wine
and horses, and exquisites in dress, and whose
society, moreover, was exceedingly congenial to
person Of ais tastes and habits.
One Of these gentlemen, MIR 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 its 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 baccha-
nal song, true Dithyrambic, in which he was
accompanied by the cheers of his auditors
when II knock at the door caused moments
cessation in their mirth.
"A message for Seymour" reported Mr.
Bradshawe, 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 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, Willam?" he
inquired"
please step out into the hall, sir. There's
a lady that wants to see you in the back par
lOr, and she sent word TO have you come rs
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 Il 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, Grace he exclaimed, in unmixed
establishment, "what in the world brought you
here 90
Grace had felt, throughout her journey, u
dread of informing Seymour of the state OF at
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 visibly, 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!n he cried, as the full ex.
tent of the misfortune broke upon him, "wha'
fools we were! We might have known how il
would end of course, such thing could never
be kept secret"
Poor Grace--thrust forth by her father THU
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 sh
Q leaned her head on the edge of table near n
t hand, and burst into unrestrained weeping
Y Seymour was softened by her tears,
My darling Grace" he said, "you mus
not pay any attention to my hasty words;
t sincerely beg your pardon. The fact is, an
r in very awkward position, and don't know
7 which way to turn. There is not even plac,
. where we can talk the matter over any one il
the hall could hear every word we say. Their
those fellows up stairs are expecting me every
moment I'll toll you what to do,' he added
after some reflection, "you must stay here and
amuse yourself as we'll rs you can't is 80 late
that you will not be interrupted will excuse
myself to Bradshawe, and come back as soon as
possible. ! cannot leave abruptly, as it would
Al.
thing"
IL hope you will not leave me here, alone, "
said Grace, timidly. "lf you knew what look
that servant gave me when | asked for you
oh, Henry, feel so insuted so Inundated"
"You must excuse him; you zee 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 ~ possible till come back"
The room was soon ready, and Grace was
left to think over the events of her reception
Seymour rejoined his companions He felt
himself very ill-used, unfortunate man. By
an odd peryersion Of ideas, he regarded Grace as
in some way the instigator of their secret mar
riagc, and himself as victim inveiged into
the proceeding Such being the case, he was
justly indignant at having her thrust upon
| HMM the very hour, too, of his EXTREMIST
need. AS for 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 20 home
again, and nobody should know of the connec-
ton between them till some future time, lin
defnite,) when they could live as became people
Of their station. He now realized what silly
act their marriage had been why could they
not have waited Just az we'll without itl
When, ut last, he withdrew from the conviv-
ial group, and sought Grace, to arrange with
her his plan Of action, he was in a rather irri-
table mood-quite 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" he said, drawing her
tenderly toward him, how wish we could
stay together we might then leave your father
to come TO his senses in his own good time.
But rs 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
sio1ltely show can beg him TO take me
back! Oh, Henry, you should not ask me to
do it, 1t would be of no service, either; he
will never forgive me M long as he lives felt
that the night no sent me from him"
"He was very angry then you Sec" persist
cd Seymour; " he has been sorry enough since,
| dare say, and will be delighted with q good
excuse 10 make friends again"
:" shall never give him the excuse" she an
swered I" IL he had been mercful, or even just
in his anger, would not complain he had