The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-09-25

self .f r,r no -
l was beginning, however, to feel a
ease again, in the midst Of my wedding
guests, when a'domcstic came to me Y
say that person wished to sec me in tn
hall. Thinking it was some invited
friend, who had arrived at a late hour,
hastcnsd to the door alone. Imagine
my CONSERVATION when saw the wilt
figure OF Gilborne standing before me.
@Hov do you dol" he asked, address
ing me by my maiden name. "Won'
you shake hands with me" ere
gave him my hand.
"You tremblc," said he, fixing his wilt
eyes upon my face. "You arc not afrai'
Of me, i hopel"
"Oh, no." replied in an agitato'
voice, for his strange manner frightened
me, "why should | be afraid 7 Come in
"No thank you; You have company,
see, and make one guest too many
And am not dressed for party" salt
he glancing at his disordcred attire. "St
you will excuse me. la. ha. Wouldn'
| cut pretty figure 2
"But | cannot talk with You here
said !.
"Oh, | will not detain YOU minute
| havc-ha, ha. have 9 question to asl
YOU which is really so absurd, when
think Of It, that cannot help laughing
They told me- he said in pleasant anC
confidential tone, "they told me, ha, la
think of the thing-thcy told me thai
You were married." and he burst into 1
wild laugh.
81 know better" he continued, "bu,
thcy say it is so, and to satisfy them,
determined to come and ask you, for
suppose YOU ought to know, if anybody
You are marricd-lla, ha, ha. ! had sncl
a queer dream; | thought ] waa standing
in tho church door, and saw You coming
out with your husband, and you woulo
not speal; TO me. Wasn't it queer. ant
| knew all the time You would never mar
nv anybody but me. And We are moi
married vet. are we. But who is hero
tonight | never saw you dressed sc
beautiful before Ah," he added, strik
inc his forehead, 81 dreamed You were
dressed so at your wedding"
Thus the wretchcd man went on, some
times laughing and sometimes shedding
tears. knew he was insane; tried tt
stop him, but | was too much frightened
to speak. In my agitation ] took hold
of the bell wire and rang. A domestic
came, and sent her for MIR. Berford.
"Ecrford, who is he I" cried Gilbornc
grasping my arm. They told me tha
was the name Of your husband! Say
yeu arc-vou arc NOT married, arc you 7
AYES, Mr. Gilbornc," replied, trem
bling SO that could hardly speak. Ian
married. and here is my husband"
To my great relief, ! saw Mr.. Bcrforc
advance into the hall. Gilbornc started
back, and fixed his eyes upon my husband
with wild and fierce expression, whicl
caused me to fear for him.
But Edward was undarntcd. Return
inc Gilbornc's gaze with a firm, steady
commanding look, he advanced towards
him and demanded what he wanted.
The dangerous spirit of the insane man
was completely subdued. He hung hl'
head and burst into tears.
Nothing" he murrnured. 81 wan,
nothing now. have been dreaming;
will not trouble YOU again. May You be
happy"
He turned and staggered out OF the
door and heard his unsteady footsteps
die away in the distance.
"Poor wrctcll," muttclcd Edward, a'
he kindly took my hand, "he is to be PIT,
tied But YOU are agitatcd! | hope
he added, in an anxious tone, "you have
nothing TO blame yourself for in this
mattcr!'
IL wish had not" exclaimed fer
vcntlv. But, oh, Edward, feel that
have acted wrong; although, Heaven
knows, | never intended he should lov'
me-"
"Well, do not rcproach yourself toe
severely" he replied in monrnful voice
q Let us 90 back to the parlor, and forgc'
wha. has taken place" =.
We returned together, and Edward
presence alone sustained me for the rcs'
of the evening. Fear, pity and rclnors'
mad. nv heart faint, and my cheek pale
and was wrctched.
IL think / understand your feelings,
said Isabel, who listened with deep inter
est. al know how l should have fcl
uuder conviction that any thoughtless
ness of mine had ruined a fellow being
happincss--perhaps shattered his intel
lcct /. But YOU heard from Gilborn'
again =
Listen! lie disappeared. For NOR
than year he was absent, and nobod!,
knew what had become OF him. A
length there came reports to o OF
thin, haggard youth, who wandered abou
the country begging for his bread from
door to door, giving in return for charity
the touching songs winch he sung in
soft, melancholy voice, and the musica
tones OF an ACCORDION he carried Will
him, which he played with peculiar an,
feeling skill. Everybody treated him kind
ly, for although he was evidently oil al
insane mind, there was milincss, mel
ancholy enthusiasm about him which wol
all hearts. Search was made for him
His friends were not mistaken in thci'
suspicious. lie was the wandering Gil'
borne!"
"Oh, aunt" exclaimed Isabel, tears fill
ing her eyes.
They carried him back to c.
For several weeks he seemed contentcd t.
remain at homo, but at length his dispo'
sition to wander returned, and he disap
pearcd again.
One chilly, rainy day, was sitting
alone in my room, amusing myself will
my first child-thcn about six months
old-whcn there was ring at the door
Our domestic had gone out, and there be