The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1854-12-14


around him, and with love beaming eyes,
approached her, yet scarcely knowing how
TO address her. A crimsoned flush burned
in either cheek, as she stepped forward ST.
lently and extended her hand. She could
not speak, words found no uttcrance A
shade fitted over his face, bu. he gently
raised her hand to his lips, and turned a
way.
The viands, SO carefully prepared, were
scarcely tasted save by the juvenile por-
ton, who did them ample justice, feeling
: themselves privileged TO obtain an extra
; share on 50 important an occasion. WIS
Elizabeth happy? She knew not that be
came with pure heart, but that glorious
vision seemed 10 her reality, and when
: she thought herself unno.iced, she stole A.
way TO her room and thanked God with Joy
unutterable for the great blessing,
Swiftly, too swiftly, the hours sped, yet
it was late when they separated, and as the
hearty good night was repeated, each
one felt the influence of the prayer of
praise. and thanksgiving had fallen like the
dew of peace on their hearts.
Elizabeth was alone by the deserted
hearth, alone with the communion Of her
own spirit She could hear naught but the
ticking of the clock and The beating Of her
heart, beating now that she was alone and
unseen, wildly, as if eager to mark the
moments that were bringing the consuma-
ton of her destiny. For hours, she sat,
absorbed in deep meditation, by the dying
embers, forgetful of sleep, ,furgctful ofcvery-
thing but him who had appeared before her,
like one from the dead. She had seemed tolive
a lifetime in the last few short hours. The
past, that chequred past, was it delusivc
dream? the present, the dawn of new ex-
istence? and for a veal or Voc? She could
not tell; but o. that vision was still before
her, with the waters Of peace gently flow
| ing at his feet. She raised her eyes, as
little noise startled her, and met the earn
est gaze of William. She sprang to her
feet, as he advanced towards her saying
Can 1 sleep, while goa are meath the
same roof, not knowing the relation | am
to sustain to you, Elizabeth, dear Eliza-
JethP
He extended his arms, as if to recicvo
her to his bosom, but she retrcated from
him, and her face became pale as lily
as she replied
William, William, 0, tempt me not
Shall l again unseal that fountain, which
has drowned my very soul for years. with
out knowing for whom I bid the waters
flow"
He bowed his head for few moments,
and when he raised his eyes to hers, she
saw they were moistened with tears.
Forgive me, Elizabeth, ho said, L am
unjust to you, to myself, even. You shall
know all; but can you, can you listen to
therecital, and nothate and despise the one
who has wantonly wasted the affections of
your chastc heart--despoiled you of hap
piness, your rghtful dower--the dover of
youthful purity? Be it so, if itmust. l
will not murmur, it is well deserved. Did
you think the miserable being, who left
you six years ago, could fall any lower
could become more abject? Elizabeth
and his voice was choked with emotion,
the watch-house, the Jail and tho felon's
cell have all held me tenant. No wonder
you shudder; but, God be praised, the holy
influence of your pure spirit. though weak
and almost lost in the mists of sin, preserv-
ed me from those haunts of vice, from which
the confirmed inebriate rarely escapes, and
which extinguishes from his bosom the
last humanizing spark, / was fallen, God
knows how low, but notwholly lost.
I was most miserable; awaking, after
nights of fiot and debauch, to the most tor
menting remorse, the most singing agony.
Then again would I fly to the accursod
bowl, to find relieftill my physical as well
as moral energies were completely wreck
ed. Then lOnged for death, though the
darkness beyond was unutterable. 1 ha
bituated myself to the contemplation of
self-destruction, that it might lose its ter
rors; but nature ever plead for life little
longer.
zone night woke from terrible dream
in which the sorrow-stricken faces Of those
| had deserted, appeared to reproach and
mock me. In moment of desperation, l
sprung from my wretched bed and sought
an instrument of death. Unconscious of
what did, opened little cabinet which
with strange incongruity of feeling,I had
faithfully preserved amid all the miserable
concomitants of wretched life, but which
l had ever carefully avoided opening and
placedlm hand on the velvet covers of the
Bible that you Elizabeth, gave me, years,
ago. O God! had a, stroke Of lightning
blasted meat that moment, the shock would |
not have been greatef, and | fell on my
knees in terrible agony; yet the wish for
death was gone. How long l remained so
| know not, but it seemed an age. l rose
up with calmness not known for years, re-
lit my lamp, and seating myself, opened
the precious book. l.a 3"...ti
%, had you that moment appeared be-
foreme in all your maidenbeauty believe me
my feelings could be no more intense, than
at the sig ght of soft, silken' curl, from
your own fair brow, Elizabeth, which fell
into my hand. The waters Of affection,
stagnated SO long, were stirred, and my eyes
overhowed with tears. Thon the years of
my existence passed in review before me,
and for the first time, realised my utter
worthlessness. Not one single spot of
could l see, all, all was
evil.
The thought rushed upon me with over
whelmng force, is there yet any hope
for me?' and voice seemed to rise from