Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-04-28
VOL. v.

been playing now, wonder!
Rober, said something bnt Janet could
not catch the words. He seemed, how
ever. to be giving the woman something.
for she laughed gently and cried, 'how
beautiful and then she stifled her voice
somehow. and then they both laughed
again gayly, gayly: and in short time
they sat down TO supper so merry and
happy! while that poor girl lay like death
between her children.
VIVA, do you think have done, Rob-
crit said the woman af,e. pause.
What, Bessl | am no hand at rid
dies and canno. guess. Out with it, old
lady.
Why. l mel poor woman to-day
with her children; she had just come
from England, and her fool of husband
had lef, her on board. while he went 10
look for lodgings for them. He left her
so long that she was obliged to clear out
before he came hack. She is nice.
pretty, respectable young thing, and !
was glad TO serve her. Besides'-anc
that genial voice took such tone of wo-
manly tenderness, j, made Janet's heart
ache to think how sadly misplaced!-
she was country woman of yours,
dear. and l could no, help thinking some.
how Of your sister, or--or-your frs.
sweetheart.'
When she said this, il seemed TO ia
ne, as il she kissed him.
You shall see her tomorrow, dear,
perhaps you may know something Of
her. Blythe by l dare say she came
over in your ship! | never thought to
ask her name. How stupid of me but
how lucky that met her. You may
be able to do something for her--perhaps
find her lout Of husband, and teach
him not TO lose his wife again. Poor
young creature! Itso went to my heart
10 see her look so pale anG desolate.'
Every word Of which Janet heard as
if thousand trumpe,s had sounded.
There was dead silence. Itseemed
IS If her husband was too much startled
and oppressed to venture on an answer.
Perhaps he was afraid OF his voice, that
would either be.ray his agitation to the
one or his existence 10 the other.
Are you not well. my dearT then said
Bessie kindly. How pale you have
turned all at once.
Il, is nothing, dear!' answered Robert
in so low voice, tina, had no. Janets
hearing been sharpened TO intensity by
agony, she could not have understood
what he said. He seemed afraid of be-
ing overheard, she thought, and spoke
almost in whisper.
But something is the matter, dear
Tell me what i, isl
Nothing. nothing; only little pain in
my chest. Come! give me another glass
Of brandy; that will cure me, | will war
rant
After this, Jane, heard nothing more
distinctly. The conversation was car
ried on in subdued tone, as between
people sitting close side by side. Only
once Jane, distinguished the words-'a
successful spec-above a hundred pounds
-wais.coat--give j. you morrow"
Soon after this they wen, to bed, and ia.
ne, heard them both talking in low whis-
pers in the room next her own. She
could distinguish their different steps as
they crossed the room, and hear their
fain,es, movements through the thin par
,i,ion. She even knew when they came
to the side next her room, and could fan.
ey all their actions. She herself lay as
still a. death. for she thought that Rob-
er,; she heard him come to the partition
and stand there for moment quite quiet
as il 10 hear whenever she was astir or
asleep.
A few hours passed. They made the
fond; wife cast down her fondness as a
winter tree it's leaves; they changed the
soft heart into stone and iron. and nerved
the trembling hand and s.illed the throb-
bling blood. They made her blush till
her temples burnt with shame at her
gross credulity-wiih shame al her child
ish faith; but they also made her heart
spring up like strong mans courage
masculine and resolu,e, equal to its fate.
And this because Of those two sleeping
little ones. By herself she would have
sunk utterly PROSTATE; as guardian TO
them she stood like lioness at bay
Nothing stronger-nothing more deter
mined-nothing Drawer drew breath in
New York than that timid, patient and
giriish wife. transformed into the hero.
inc by maternal love!
She listened, and, by their breathing.
she knew that Robert and his poor Amer
lean wife were asleep. Even at this
moment her woman's nature yearned in
gratitude TO that kindly face and great
maternal heart; and she felt that she
would have suffered any torment herself
rather than have caused an hours pain
10 one who had 90 blessed and befriend-
cd her.
She shall not suffer By me. she said,
90 she determined on her plan.
Quiet and pale as a ghost she arose,
dressing herself noiselesslv. and with in
credible speed. She then took up her
sleeping children, and dressed them. still
ssleep. Leaving them on the bed. she
softly opened the door Of her room, and
siole to that Of her husband. A faint
LIGHT shone underneath and through the