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

S'an' ies bo stay-oniJ Till you are well.
For, despite what he said about his
strength, his countenance, rs he lay back,
was almost that Of corpse. Barbars's
clinging arms seemed to him worse than
the gripe Of q murderer.
Take her away, Mrs. Rivers; take roy
poor wife away. You know how she has
pur'ed me; you know whether love her
or not"
'Lovo herr / cried, bitterly; BIT James's
hand was upon my shoulder. His eye,
which with it's gentle firmnes, could, they
| said at the hospital, control the most re
fractory and soolhe the most wretched pa
tient. was fixed upon DR.. Merchiston. /
saw the old man yield; the bright hectic
flush came and went in his cheek.
"Rivers, my good friend, what do you
wish me To dol"
"A very simple thing. Tell me-not
these poor women-but me, your real rea
son for acting thus"
"Impossible."
Not quite. 1t may be partly guess i,
already"
DIR. Merchiston started up with the look
of hunted Wild beast in its last despair.
but my husband laid his hand on his, in a
kind but resoluis way.
Indeed, indeed, you are safe in telling
me. Will youl"
The patient hesitated, held up his ;hin
hand to the light with wan smile, then
said, y will"
James immediately sent US both ou; of
the room.
Mrs. Merchiston was a very woman.
gentle and frail. She wep, until her
strength was gone; then put her to bed
| in her maids charge, and waited until Mr..
Rivers ended his conference with her bus
band.
II WAS two hours before he came out.
AT sight Of him my torrent of curiosity was
d'ed up: he looked as ! had sometimes
seen him, coming home from deathbed.
10 my few questions he answered no, a
word.
But Mt least" said !, half crying, "at
least you might tell me what / am TO do
with poor Mrs. Merchistou."
"fes, yes" He thought "A minute. "She
must 60 home with us--the sooner The bet
ter"
You agree, them" burst out, breath.
lessy; you agree to this sepsrationl"
Entirely"
You join with her wicked husband in
his ingrattude-hi brutality -"
Peggy" James caught me by the shoul.
derS, with the sternest trown that eve, fell
on me in all our peaceful married life.
Peggy. may Heaven forgive you! You
know not what You are saying"
was completely awed.
"Mr. Merchiston has told you the secret.
and you are determined to keep itl"
"lmplicitly while his poor lit. lasts"
My husband was n man of inviolable
honor, and i Vas not the woman TO wish
him otherwise, even Tor me. ] urged no
more.
During the ten days that Mrs. Merchis
ton remained in my house, part Of the time
she was in a .ort of low fever, which was
the happiest thing ios her, poor soul.
made net single inquiry after her hus.
band. knew that Mr. Rivers was with
him at all hours, as doctor, nurse, and
! friend
One day. when Mrs. Merchiston was sit
Ting In the parlor With me, he looked in a,
the door. She did not see him. He qui-
etly beckoned me out.
"Well, Jamesl"
Speak lower, Peggy, lower; don't let
| her hear
And then saw how much agiia,ed lie
was; yet even that did not cutie remove
the bitterness with which could not help
mentioning the name of DR.. Merchiston.
Peggy, DR.. Merchiston is DYING"
l had not expected this it was great
! shock.
81 feared it woald be so," continued
james; IL have seen him sinking this long
time. Now the mind is at peace, but the
worn ont body -"
His wiie-hs poor wife," was all i
| could utter.
Yes, that is what come to say. She
must go TO him; he wishes it much. Do
you think she wil"
| smiled sadly. "Ah! James, she is n
woman"
And you women can forgive to all eter
nlty-Heaven bless you for III Besides,
she will know the whole truth soon"
asked not what this truth" was.
What did 1t matter He was dying.
but are you sure, James, there is no
hopei"
None, believe-and am almost glad
to belleyeit. There is no man ever knew
whom so deeply pity, and shall So thank
fully see gone TO his las, rest, as DR.. Mer
chiston."
These were strong words, enough to calm
down every wrong feeling, aud make me
hit 10 lead the wife to her husbands sick
nay, death chamber.
How we brought her thi;her forget
only remember the moment when we stood
within the door.
DR.. Mercliston lay on his bed, as for five
long months he had patiently and cheerful
Iy lain. lie had something Of that old
| qniei look now. but with cbange-the
strange awful change which, however fond
friends may deceive themselves, is always
clearly visible to colder gaze You saw
| al nn.n H-Ihni ,nnn ,rin IL,