Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-06-26

, long be compelled to endure this life
wrechedness. lshall die knowing tn;
you love me far better than that little pal
face thing that you call WIFE
Go Helen, you torture me. | will d
what can for the child. but you kno,
tina. am poor. Oh, Helen would tina
H. ] n.ter seen you.
Tell me you love me and will 60.
know it, but must hear the words. Tel
me once moro that you love me. See,
and she stretched forth an arm and han,
wasted to perfect emaciation, "see it vii
not De long, but love me while | do live
and afterward care for our child"
"Oh, Helen, said the tortured man, q
have loved and do love, you still. Yo,
should have beea my wife, and God know
that the thought of you has poisoned every
moment Of my married life. love Eliza
too-indeed debut not as love 70,
whom sacrificed and deserted only be
cause you loved me too well. Oh, Helen
can you forgive me' | do love YOU"
"Jalnes, Gun die happy now,' said the
woman in tones of exultation, 'you love
me and will care fol little Willie. See
is he net beautiful" and throwing aside
the covering she showed the fair face and
flaxell curls of the sleeping child.
"Come with me- she added, ''to my
little home and talk with Mrs. White about
Willie"
They moved on-the woman hanging
upon his arm and they passed so close that
her garments touched the form that shrunk
closer 10 the wall
All this time Eliza had stood listening
to the words which drove hope from her
heart, bot the moment they passed--so
near that she might have laid her hand
upon her husbands arm--she moved on
ward. There was but one though. in her
soul--she had seen her husband for the last
time. She went she knew not, she cared
not. .hither, 50 she only escaped him who
had so deceived her. jfas he not in truth
and in the sight of God the husband of the
woman SHE had seen, whom he had loved
long before she had seen him i'll her coun-
try home. Her sense Of justice, her out-
ragged heart answered, yes.
So she wandered on through the icy
streets objectless, and without knowing
wilher she went. More than once she
was aeeosted, but she gave no heed. At
length she found herself upon enc of the
docks leading out into East River. 1t
was a lonely and deserted place. The wa
ter roared sulenly and beat against the
dock which was covered with great sheets
till she reached the further extremity
She stood upon huge block of ice and
looked downward into the troubled waters.
Here she could forever end her sorrows.
Eyes" she said wildly aloud. .'if + am gone
perhaps they can all be happy, SO. my poor
baby, its but spe plunge ard then we shall
be at rest, and nobs,ly will care for U.S."
Then rose up the visions of her happy,
humble home, with another sitting in her
pIace-.anotler head piIowed upon the
bosom where she had thought, until these
few dreadful days. that she lad reigued
supreme.
The thought was enough 10 urge her
to the frenzied deed. With wild scream
she sprang into the dark waters. A sullen
splash echoed back, a white hand and
some futtering garment cleaned moment
in the faint light, then all was silent and
darkness.
The waters never gave up their dead
Perhaps the recedlng tide carried them far
out to a--perhaps they sank at once to
the rivers Shiny bed.
The secret Of their disappearance has
never TRANSFERRED. When James Harling-
! ton came home he found his bright. little
room. looking bright as usual, but no wife
came TO meet him with offered kiss-no
sweet little face rested OH the cradle pill
low claiming caresses. 1t was now his
turn to be alarmed Search was instantly
made but in vain, and to this day the
cause and object Of the disappearance o.
his wife and child is wrapped in mystery.
His grief was deep and sincere, for, to dc
james Harrington justice, he had loved lii
wife. The sight Of the girl whom, in the
excitement of youthful passion, he had
betrayed, and his remorse at the sight o
his work had momently weakened the
chains in which she held him, but aftel
doing an act OF justice in providing fol
her child, he would have returned to du,
ty. But poor Eliza had takcn her fate in
to her own hands, and removed hersel
from the joys as well as the sorrows o
earth.
After while Helen and her little vii
lie came aud dwclt in that little quie
home. 1t was almost as bright as before
but the shadow of the dead wi.e's pres
enee seemed always brooding over it, ant
can see that by that bowed and sajdened
| man she is not foreatten