The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-07-05

tested the remorse of his heart. But In,
same thing happened again, and thcr
again ;and so on, until the once gifted
brilliant Norman Everett had become =
confirmed ineLriate.
They were living now in small cham
oers IN II narrow court. And there Con.
stance gave birth to fragile little boy
AT the very hour Oft birth its father was
lyirg in the next room in a state of drum.
ken insensbility.
The birth OF his son seemed to have no
effect npon Norman, except to plunge him
still deeper into excesses, that he mipht
get away from himself, and from the re-
morse that haunted him like NIGHT.
mare.
He had fallen in with low sett Of fel.
lows and his business was utterly neglect
ell. Constance cast about for something
TO do 10y which to feed her little boy, for
sometimes for days together Norman
would leave his wife and child, with no
provisions in the house and without the
means of getting any.
Constance swallowed her pride and
went to lawyer who had been her hus-
bands friend and asked for and obtained
aw-documents to copy. She wrote a
clear, rapid hand, and SION obtained en-
pioyment enough to make her little mar
row home seem more comfortable.
Norman had not been at home for sew
eral weeks. lie had never before been
so long from her-when Of a sudden he
stood before her. His dress was torn and
soiled, his beard unshaven and bis ha,r
uncombed. There was savage, restless
look in his eyes that Constance had new
er seen in them before.
You seem to prosper while am
away" said he, glancing around the room.
What are yolfdoing, if may he per.
mltted to ask the question, that Yields
you such proftr
Constance, with ! suppressed sigh,
handed him the papers upon which she
"' So yo,SSssiss yiaS esis 9aifnea sawy excarm-
ed he with bitter laugh.
Dear Norman, you are more disturb
eI than usual to o,niglt Do not speak
unkindly to me. have done the best
could. Iou left baby aud ! so abruptly,
| was compelled to 60 to Mr.. Kingsley
and seek fr employment"
les, tie woman below stairs told Ned
Walters OF your present employment, and
he told me-and thus will treat this
dainty employment" And before Con-
stance could prevent him, he had snatch.
ed both papers and copy and had cast
them into the fire.
Norman made several speeches about
the hnd"s' of Mr.. Kingsley, and Of the
reported intimacy between Constance and
that gentleman that made the pure soul
OF Constance shrink within itself All she
said in explanation was:
"Norman, dear, you have been cruel
ly and maliciously inisinformcd. Mr..
Kingsley has not been once in these lodg.
ings, and have been but twice to his
office. lie has sent a boy daily back
and forth for the manuscripts. Oh |!
Norman, how could you suspect me-l
who love you so we'll, Of so base betray-
al Of my marriage VOWS"
The earnest manner Of Constance SEEM
ed to 3o!i"n Norman, and after little
time hey were talking sorrowtully enough,
but with mutual tenderness and love.
And Norman promised to break from
all his evil habits and assert his own
manhood once more.
That night was one Of the green oases
Of Constanse's sad life.
Norman went out the next morning, az
ter Constance had improved his toilet
with promise to go to Kingsley's office
and explaining the loss Of the papers, and
Of seeking employment for himself
For one week Norman hal absLained from
all intoxicating drinks and had given such
promise Of reformation arA industry AS
Tiled the heart os Constance :;.!! Of the
widest hopes OF the future.
But, alas the shorL reformation wa:
dropped to plunge even deeper than he
fore into the reckless sin Of dissipation.
Constance bad discovered buried tai
ent in herself, which she was making avail,
able as a means Of furnishing warmth and
food for herself and little one, and often
very often also for her husband.
Aad this alent was drawn from th,
living we'll Of song that lay deep down in
10 her heart She poured forth its NUN
bers from her obscure corner, and the voic,
Of the world approved.
Norman would sometimes be sufficient
ly himself to read her writings with mucl
interest, and although his love for he
seemed at times to increase, his powe
over himself seemed daily to decrease.
About this time Paul Yallory
younger brother Of Constancs's father
sought her out in her humble abode, an,
offered to settle upon her and her son,
competence, il she would leave Normal
: Everett.
"lIe Is my husband" sas the quiet re
ply Of Constance.
.He is no husband who can give him
! self mp 70 such degrading passions, leavinI
his wife not only TO support berself an,
!, child, but him also"
i Constance was firm In her resoluticr
. and coald not be persuaded to leave N
Z man she had promised at the altar, to Low
! and honor until death shosld part then
e NJ. VaIlory was 30 incensed at k
. niece's pcsisting refusal Of his offers an