The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-12-05
Clsie. and let INC do the deed now. %

you think, Alden, your Elsie would lcav
you now, when your arms have shelters
hcr so long? Did you think she would no
follow you through suffering and shame
true aud loving to the end ?"
But not to prison, Elsie, not to prison 2
His head dropped as he said it.
"Yes," she answered, drawing closer, an'
the light Of her soul was shining in heI
eyes, to prison, to tho gallows, to death
Alden!"
And then he took her in his arms, ant
whilst his heart was wrung with deeper
agony for her than for himself, he told hel
oil
= And Elsie learned for the first time, ofthC
threatened collapse in her husbands bust
ness, and of the utter impossibility Of hi:
meeting the expenses of their late party
without-hc whispered the words-"hc had
forged note for two thousand dollars ~
lie hoped to pay it and 50 clude discovery,
but matters grew worse, and hc could no.
raise the money.
"And it was for me that you did 1t, Al
den, because Ispokc those cruel words! o.
God, help me | am to blaine, not You ~
cried the brokcn.hcartcd wife.
But before her husband could answer, she
had sprung from her seat, and great hope
had dawncd into her face.
"Alden," she cried, ait was I that rain
ed it is I that will save you. l am going
to that man whose name you forged, and ]
will beg, pray, anything till he promises to
spare you"
"Elsic," ard her husband shook his head
mournlully; "his heart is hard one"
"No matter, will find my way to it. ]
will not let him 60 till he has promised to
save you. Pray God, Alden, whilo' I am
gone, pray him without ceasing, to be with
me
She pressed one long, loving kiss upon his
bowed forehead, and left him. =.
Mr.. Ilolburn, the millionaire, was slow,
ly pacing up and down his long narrow
Office, with his hands behind him, "a was
his custom. ~,
lie was dark, stern looking man, with
deep wrinkles set in his forehead and thin
face, and altogether, it was not ono that 4
little child, or a heart yearning for comfort
and sympathy would have been drawn to
ward.
"Strangc, strange" muttered the million
airc to himself, " that a young man Of sncl
family, occupying such n position on chang
and in best social circles, should have done
this thing. What sensation twill create
Gave tint splendid party last night, too
Mr.. Bolbarn's monolosuc was suddenly
interrupted by the entrance ofa lady. She
made her ingress unannounced, and putting
her, long veil aside, revealed a face hardl,
vet ripcned into full wOmanhood, yet yery
touching in its pale, mournful lovelincss.
81 am Mrs Raymond" said she eagerly
'and you now know for what I have come
o, sir will you not spare my husband?'
MADAM said Mr.. Holburn, PARTIAL.
recovering himself, "lt is a very painful
duty to refuse you. u.Tbut justice must hay
her course. The offence is so ralpablo-'
But Elsie had sunk down at the man
feet, unable to stand. 80, sir" she cried
clasping her hands, while the tears rolle
down her sweet face. +" do not say that |!
you ever had mother who sang you :
slumber in her arms, or sister by who's
side you knolt in prayer, or a wife who's
head slumbcred on your heart by all tha
YOU have ever loved and cherished, have pit
upon me, pray you-hayc pity on my hu'
baed, and spare us both from life that wi
be worse than death! There will come
day and an hour when you will be glad th'
you listened to my prayer and o, as 20
hope for mercy at tn. judgement, show it t
me now !" .
And the man looked at her, as she krie
there in her mournfal beauty, at his fee
with her shining curls lying about h
fearful face, and his heart was touched.
"Iam sorry for you" he said, "but mac
am your husband has been greatly
blams"
"It was /. twas my fault" eagerly il
terrupted Elsie. al instigated him to Il
act by my folly and extravaganza. Do nj
accuse him, let the shame as was the sin,
mine, but o, you will not kill us will you
The stern heart melted. Mr.. lIollxr
raised the young wife gently, and whisps
ed :"Mrs. Raymond, l will prosecute y
thing no further. Your husband is slN.
A half hocr later, Elsie burst into IL
room where sat her husband. Loos NJ
Alden, " she cried exultingly, III lusye sa'
ed you have saved you !"
Bu' this sudden JOY, after those hours,
exquisite suffering, was too much even .ft
the mans strong physical endurance; an
as the words died on Elsio.s lips, her hui
band dropped scnsclcss to the floor.
A week had passed. lt was ssit s'a'
light evening, the close of one of those day
that come up, golden wanderers from tn
Tropics, and shake hands with the month
glo IN, and chill and mist. ) ,r..ss.
Alden Raymond sat in his large easy clni'
in the pleasant room where wemct him
breakfast, and Elsie sat on the chair arm
She looked very charming aud very happ
too, albeit there was deeper, more subdns
beauty in her face, but you would have 10y
cd /, better than all tn, sparkle of the ol
times. =.
" And so, Aldsn,' aid tho little Wit
run,,nc, her fingers through her husband