Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-03-31
MAY ANprRsoNE MARR1AaR.
on, rnr LtoEND OF rLnfoAD.


fathers friend by the indignant lirewomsn, q
long deiberalon ensued as TO the course which
appeared most prudent 10 pursue. Whether
to quit the house herself and repairing 10 the
Scottish capital, there place. herself under. pro-
lection OF the Courts-T or expel Mnsgraye from
Ashford, aud employ legal force, ii necessity
required it, were points that were cautiously
debated. &c - ~ 80
'On one point. May continued the old gen.
tlemaii, 'opinion is formed. The sooner this
wretched proAigate knows his true position
he better; and would counsel that, as he
acks courtesy to attend you, we repair at once
ogether 10 the ball, and in the presence Of his
rufian associate, of whom, touchiBs your faith
,r's death, hafsor dark suspicious lat once APP
prize him that the imaginary rights Of husband
must be exchanged FOR sucEi eielnosynary boun-
y ss, in thy charity, thou may'st be pleased 10
confer upon the outcnst.'
i bow 10 thy judgment, Strand ws will al
'nce get over this painful, but prudent inter-
view
May Anderson imagined tfat che knew the
full extent OF her husband worthlessncss. She
felt that her affections had been misplaced, her
confidence abused, and she attributed The death
OF her father indirectly 10 the criminal career
Of the Toue who had first won her love, ana af-
would insult her by the introduction Of cour-
lesan-mock the memory of her father, ere the
grave had scarcely closed upon him-outrage,
every ordinance, human and divine-this
hought never crossed her mind. When she
iecended the stairs, she was prepared to find
him employed at the wine-cup with his profit
gate com panon; but when she saw him with
rival in his arms, without an attempt at conceal
ment In broad day and in her own hall--+that
discovery was indeed astounding
When mild, enduring disposition is reused
by repeated injury to resentment, Indignation
may not be so violently expressed, but it will
be more permanent than that Of fiery temper,
easily excited, and as easily appeased.
Good GodI can credit the evidence Of my
own sensesr exclaimed MIR. Cameron, recoil.
ing back from the centre of the room and can
human prChigacy reach thus farP'
Claudine sprang from her lovers knee, and
hurrying 10 the window, hastily closed the
doublet round her throat, and endeavoured to
gather up her disheveled resses, and hide them
beneath her riding cOp-while Musgrave, as
founded at the presence Of her he had so fear
fully deceived, was speeches.. But, strange
as it might appear, May Anderson retained her
firmnesS through the scene.
And was this needed" she said, in calm, de-
twas this needed 10 complete the measure OF
your villany? Would it not content you, under
the false pretence Of love, to win o-confding
heart, and then lacerate it by unmerted neglect
Would il not suffice 10 destroy the peaceful hap
piness that regned in this quiet dwelling
den the declining years of q loved parent with
unavailIng sorrow and may Heaven pardon
me il wrong thee BY the thought, caused by
thy proiligate proceedings journey that proved
fatal, if indeed thou didst not abet his murder.
| Thou wohld'st adj Insult ioo-and :!!;;st under
roof where thy wretched dupe reigns paramount.
| Ay, stare not, but mark the word well, para
nount--a5so|ute-sole mistress. Thou hast
dared 10 introduce thing unchaste, wanton;
one who feeling she has become disgrace 10
woman, has, with woman's purity abandoned
the very garb a woman wears. And this, too,
in the presence of awife Infamous villain.
thy wife knows. despises, and abandons thee u
She turned, and was about 10 leave the room.
when Clsudine, whose excita6lc temper had
been stimulated by the wine with which Nus
4 grave and she had sealed their reconciliation
and irrtated by the presence of one who had
nominally u'urped her place, and expressed
opinions which her guilty conscience would hay e
admitted true, but which a proud bad woman
like herself found, for that very cause, ntoe.
rable, sprang forwards from the window. and
laid her hand upon the shoulder Of the retiring
lady. Starring as if in contact with some rep
! tile, May Anderson indignantly exclaimed:
/. 'Oh, thou impure thing thy touch is
poisonous. Coz press these arms around
that heart-struck felon--my honorable and
respected husband will duly estimate thy
chaste embrace; 4 am but ,oife.'
Woman, thou art no wife, and thou. not
|, art MuSgrave's MISTRESS exclaimed Clau-
dine. with flashing eyes.
0 'Ah! what sdy'st ,houf exclaimed Mr.
= Cameron.
e The truth look there He viii not dare
gainsay it. Z am his wife, and thou anC
she looked contemptuously on poor May
: thou, pattern Of purity art but his tenant
Musgrave's was guilty courage. In I
quarrel his blade was ready; to cooler blood
shedding he had slight compunction, bu
the sudden discovery Of his rutlian conduct
the consequences, penal and pecuniary
which he knew must attend tall strucl
home to his guilty soul; and man, gener
e ally remarkable for hardiesss and effrontsry
g seemed rs if he had been paralyzed.
May Anderson, like one who 9uestione,
, the evidence Of her senses, leaned for sup
Y post against high-backed chair, while he
n guardian addressed the stranger.
: Let me understand thee correctly h
l. said. 'art thou in truth married 10 himl-
u When did that ceremony take placel-
I, Where
! Clundine impatien'ly interrupted hin
and plucking a paper from her bosom, sh
put il into Mr.. Cameron's hand.
- There, read that document carefully, an
!. in il all the information you require will b
Ennnd n, h g,,,J,,,,e1