The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-07-09

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I" But not TO prison, Elsie, not to pris.
orr His head dropped as he said it.
Yes" she answered, drawing closer,
and the light of her soul was shining in
her eyes, "to prison, to the gdiioes, to
death, Alden !"
And then he took Ler in his arms, and
while his heart was wrung with deeper
agony for her than for himself lie told her
all.
And Elsie learned, for the first time, of
the threatened collapse in her husbands
business, and Of the utter impossibilty of
his meeting the expenses of their late par.
ty without-he whispered the words
ne had torgca note for tro Mousaad
dollars" lie hoped to pay it, and so
elude discovery, but matters grew worse,
and he could not raise the money.
And it was for me you did it, Alden
Lccause | spoke those cruel words Oh.
God hetS me! l am to blame, not vou!"
cried the heart broken wife.
But before her husband could answer
her, she had sprung from her seat, and
great hone had dawued into her face
Aldcn," she cried, ait was that ruin
ed, it is I that will save YOU. am going
to that man whose name YOU forged, and
will beg, pray, anything, till he promises
10 spare YOU"
Elsie" and her husband shook his
head mournfulIy; "his heart is "a hard
one"
No matter, will find my way TO il.
| will not let him 60 till he has promised
to save you. Pray God, Alden, while
am gone, pray Him, without ccasinr, to
be with mel" She pressed one long,
loving kiss upon Iris bowed forehead, and
let him.
Mr.. lo!burn, the millionaire, was slow
" pacing up and down his long, narrow
office, with his hands behind him, as was
his custom.
He was dark, stern looking man, with
deep wrinkles Sc, in his forehead and thin
face, and altogether, it was not one that a
little chiid, or heart yearning 70. com.
fort and sympathy would have been drawn
toward
Strange, strange" mu;tcred the mil,
Iionaire 10 himself, that n young man Of
such family, occupying such position on
change, and in the best social circles.
should have done this thing. What n
sensation twill create. Gave that splen.
did party last night, too"
Mr.. Ho!burn's monologue was sudden.
ly interrupted by the entrance of la iy.
She made her ingrcss unannounced, and
Putting her long veil aside, revealed face
hardly yet ripcned into full womanhood,
Yet very touching in its pale, mournlul
lovelncss.
Il am Mrs. Raymond" she said eager
ly, " aud you now know for what am
come. Oh, sir, will you not spare nv
hushand:"
Madame" said Mr.. HoIburn, partial.
ly recovering himself, ait is a very pain
iul duty to refuse you, but justice must
have her course. The offence is SO papa-
But Elsie had sunk down at the mans
feet, unable TO stand. 90, sir" she cried. -.
cIasping her hands, while the tears rolled
down her sweet face, "do not sny that !
If you ever had mother who sang YOU
10 slumber in her arms, or a sister bv
whose side you knclt in prayer, or a wife
whose head numbered on your heart, bv
all that you have ever loved and cherish.
cd, have pity upon me, pray you-have
pity upon my husband, and spare Us both
from life that will be worse than death
"Therc will come a day and an hour
when you will he glad that you listened
TO my prayer, and oh, as you hope for
mercy at the Judgment, slow it to me
now !"
And the man looked at her, AS she
knelt there in her mournfl beauty at his
feet, with her shining curls lying about
her face, and his heart was touched.
81 am sorry for you," lie said {" but
Madame, your husband has been greatly
10 blame"
1t was |. 1t was all my fault" ea-
gerry iHierruplcd Elsie. Il instigated
him TO tho act by my folly and extrava.
ganc2. Do not accuse him, let the shame,
as was the sin, be mine, but oh =! you will
not kill us, will youp
The stern heart melted. Mr.. Holburn
raised the young wife gently, and whis-
pered Mrs. Raymond, | will prosecute
the thing no farther. Your husband j,
safe"
A half hour later, Elsie burst into the
room where sat her husband. "Look
UP, hlden," she cried, exuItingly; 81
have saved your
But THIS sudden JOY, after those hours
of exquisite suffering, was too much even
for the mans strong physical endurance,
and as the glad words died on Elsie's lips,
her husband dropped senseless to the
floor.
A week had passed. II was soft star
bright April evening, the closing Of one of
those days that come up, golden wander
ers from the Tropics, and shake hands
with the months gloom, and chill and
mist.
Alden Raymond sat in bis large easy
chair, in the pleasant room where we met
him at breakfast, and Elsie sat on the
chair-arm. She looked very charming,
and very happy too, albeit there was