The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-09-25

The wife evidently desired none; her eyes
began to shine with joy, and even took
hope.
"But, DR.. Merchiston, can there be no
changei You loved one another once.
Love is not yet dead; love never wholly dies.
Surely"
Madame. silencep'
Could it be his voice that spoke-his
once calm, low voicel was now really
terrified.
He roso and walked about the room: we
two sat trembling. At last he stopped in
his old position, with his hand on the man.
telpiece.
Mrs. Rivers. my extremely painful posi-
tion--you will acknowledge it is such
must excuse anything in me uabecoming,
uncourteous."
assured him he had INV free pardon for
any excitement, and hoped he felt callner
now.
Perfectly. perfectly; you must see that,
do you notl"
IL do" said l. with sense of bitterness
against the whole race of mankind, who
can drive poor womankind almost out .of
their senses. while they themselves preserve
the most sublime composure.
III will now, with your permission and in
your presence. speak to my wife. Barbara"
lin quiet equal tone Ms II addressing AN
ordinary person-"l told you Eve wears ago
thai II is not who ana inexorsble, hut fate,
even If the life we then began To lead
should last until my death repeat the
same now. Yet, for those FIVE years YOU
have been a, peace and sale. Safe" he re.
peated. with a slight pause "unIer my rooc,
where can shelter and protect you better
than anywhere else"
Protect her?" Aud then | told him
how could help il! of the sights and out
RACES 10 which their manner Of life had ex.
posed her. Ii was terrible To see the effect
produced on him.
| "Hush; tell me no more, or-Barbara
forgive me-forgive me that ever made
you my wife. There is but one alonement:
shall make YOU my ,1idopg"
doctor Merchiston," cried, catching
his arm, "are you madl'
He started. shuddering, and in moment
had recovered all his seIfcon,rol.
Mrs. Rivers, this is state Of things
most terrible, Of which was totally igno
rant How is il to be remedied granting,
as you must grant, the one unalterabe ne
cessity.'
thought a minute, and then propose,..,
10 silence the tongue Of all Apedale, that
the husband and wife should openly walk
to church together every Sunday, and knecl
| together in the house of God. And may
| He forgive me If in this scheme | had a
deeper hope than betrayed.
al will do H." said DR.. Me- chis,on, after
| pause. Barbara, do YOU CONSENT viii
! you come home!"
Il win'
"But 20 the cid Iifel In nethiug chang
ed-for changed it cannot, must not bel"
"Under any circumstances will come
home
THANK you; God bless you. 1t is bet
Ter so'
There was quie; pause, broken only by
one or two faint sobs from her. At last
they ceased. DR.. Merchiston took up his
hat to depart. AS he was going, his wife
started up and caught HIM by the hand
Husband, ore word and can bear all
things. Did-did you ever love me;r
Love yeul Oh, my little Barbarar'
do YOU love mei'
"Yes," in whisper. sharp with in,olera.
bic pain: yes"
Then do not mind anything. Oh, no,
thank God | do not mind"
She burst into hysterical laughter, and
| threw herself into my arms II was only
my arms she could come to-her husband
was gone.
She went home as she had promised,
and the old life began once more-without
the slightest change, she told me-save
that regularly on Sunday mornings he
! knocked at the door Of communication be.
tween the double house. kept always locked
on her side by his desire-,hat she found
him waiting in the hall, and they walked
arm in ann, rs silently and sadly as mourn
ers after corpse, to the church door. In
the same way returning, he Immediately
parted from her, and went his way 10 his
1 own apartments.
ApedaIe was quito satisfied, and circua
ted innumerable explanations, which had
probably rs much truth in them rs the for.
mer accusations.
Di. Merchiston came rs usual to pay
chess with my husband, and no allus:on
was ever made To the nigh, which had
witnessed s" strange scene in cur house.
Mrs. Merchision improved in health and
chee'funess. To "A woman the simple con
vIction of being loved issuppou and strength
through the most terrible ordeal. Once
sure of that. her faith is infinite, her conso.
lation complete. After his yes" poor
little Barbara revived like flower in the
! sun.
Not so her husband. Everybody noticed
that Dr. Merchiston was wasting away TO n
shadow. On Sunday, especially, bis coun
tenance always Sallow aud worn, seemed
to have the ghasiIy look ol one whom you
know to he iDwardIy fighting great soul
battle. You feel nj once The warfare will
he won-bul the man will die
And still, as ever, Of all the lmpenetrsbe
mysteries that life can weave, that man aud