True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-06-04

morning curl to her rosy lip, and she
thought to herself, Alden shall speak
first
And he did and that generous deed of
his overcame at once, all the pride and
self-will of the really loving wife.
She sprang up quickly, and wound her
white arms around her husbands neck,
while tears of remorse and tenderness
swept down her face. 'Oh, Alden she
said, forgive me, forgive me for the cru
ell words | said this morning. have
been so sorry for them. l do love you
better than all the world beside, and |
would not leave yon for thousand grand
mothers Say just once to me elsie, |
forgive YOU and | shall be so happy
He drew her bright head TO his bosom,
and he raned down kisses on her sweet
brow, as he said, Elsie once, and forev-
er forgive you, but | have been very
weak, and have suffered much this morn
ing. Let me lie my head in your lap,
and see if shall not feel better, while
you talk to me-
And Elsie sat there long time, run
ming her little dimpled fingers through
the thick brown curls Of her husband, and
laying her cool lips every few moments
to his fevered forehead, chatting to him
in her sweet humming- bird style, of her
party, and what delightful affair il
would be; dreaming little of the dark
ness, and sin, and shame, that was draw
ing closer and closer to their threshold
1t was late morning after the party
1t had been as the young wife had pre-
dicted, "a brilliant affair
And now she walked through the ele
CANT confusion of her parlors, and though
what ganccs of admiration had followed
her during the evening, and how prout
Alden would be when she recounted tc
him the compliments which the guests
had bestowed upon their beautiful host.
ess;' and how she had inadvertently
heard Mayor Hamlin, who was pronoun
ced the most artistic judge in the city
call her the rare blossom of the festival.
But these pleasant dreamings experienced
a rude interruption.
Two rough-looking men entered the
parlor, and inquired if Mr.. Raymond was
in.
NO. answered his wife, surprised and
startled. He went to the store this morn
ing
One of them replied, with significant
look around the rooms, that he was no
there, they had just come from his store,
i have not seen him since was Mrs
Raymond's laconic rejoinder; and after
comforting together a moment, the two
men left the room
The lady sank down upon sofa, ant
covered her face with her hands. They
were policemen, she could not disguise
from herself this fact, and vague, terri
BILE fear took possession of her soul.
A few moments later, and her husband
stood before her, wild, pale, haggard.
Elsie he asked hurriedly, 'have there
been two policemen here after me -
Yes, and l told them you were at the
store. Oh, Alden"-she could not finish
the sentence, for he rushed from her, ou
out into the hall, and up the stairs like ;
madman.
Elsie's heart died within her, and i
was only by grasping the cushions of the
sofa, she prevented herself from sinking
TO the floor. She feared--she knew no
what, but the next moment the woman
heart of Elsie Raymond awoke within
her. Alden, her husband, was suffering
it might be he was in disgrace and shame
and who should stand by him, and wher,
should he find comfort and strength, bu
in her
She sprang up, and though her limb.
shook like reed beneath her, and he
face would not be whittier when it lay un
der the coffin plaits, she went straight ou
into the hall, and up the long stairs to hi
room.
The door was not locked, and she open
ed it without knocking. What seen
for the blue eyes of Elsie Raymond J.
Her husband stood in the centre of tn
room, with pistol pointed at his heart
One minute more, and she had been to-
late.
i With one loud shrek she rushed t
his side, with one blow Of her small