The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-08-08

that i could hardly speak | AIN married, and
| here Is my husband"
"To my great relief saw Mr.. Berford advance
into the hall Gilbolne started back, and fixed
his eyes apon my husband with wild and fierce
expression, which caused me to fear for him.
But Edward was undaunted. Returning Gil
bornes gaze witha 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 his head and burst
nto tears
Nothing" he murmured | want 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 wretch, muttered Edward, as he kindly
took my hand, he Is TO be ptied! But you are
agtated! hope" he added, in an anxious tone,
"you have nothing TO blame yourself for in this
natter"
" l with ] had not" exclaimed fervently.
Bat. OH Edward, feel that have acted wrong;
although, Heaven knows, l never intended he
should love me-"
"WeT do not reproach yourself too severely
he replied IN mournful voice. Let us 20 back to
the parlor, aud forget what'has taken place"
We returned together, and Edwards presence
y.
Fear pity and remorse made my heart faint, and
my cheek pale, and | was wretched
!" think understand your feelings" said Isa
bel, who listened with deep interest. 81 know
how should have felt under a conviction that any
thcughtlessness ofmine had ruined fellow beings
happiness-perhaps shattered his intellect But
you heard from Gilborne again?"
/" Listen! He disappeared. For more than
year he was absent and nobody knew what had
become Of HIM At length there came reports to
c., Of thin, hagg:rd youth, who wandered
about the country begging for his bread from door
TO door, giving in return for charity, the touching
songs which he sung in soft, melancholy voice.
aud the musical tones of an ACCORDION he carried
with him, and which he played with peculiar and
feeling skill. Everybody treated him kindly, for
although he was evidently Of an insane mind,
there was mdness melancholy enthusiasm
about him which won all hearts. Search was
made for him. His friends were not mistaken in
their suspicious. He was the wandering Gborne!"
"0h, aunt" exclaimed Isabel, tears filling her
eyes.
"They carried him back to C. For seve-
raj weeks he seemed contented TO remain at home,
but, at length, his disposition to wander returned,
and he disappeared again.
"0ne chilly, rainy day. | was sitting alone in
my room amusing myself with my first child--then
about six months old-when there was a ring at
door. Our domestic had gone out and there be-
ing nobody in the house but me, left Ella play
ing on the floor, and went to open the door
81 started back with an exclamation of alarm.
Gilborne drenched with the cold rain was standing
on the steps. My first impulse was Of fear, and l
would have shut the door in his face, had he not
looked up to nae and said, in melancholy voice
"It rains. May come ins"
90 | was touched | held the door open while
he entered. There fire in the sitting room,
and 1 made him sit down before it to dry his
clothes. For ten minutes not word was spoken
by either Of US but his Wild eyes followed me
about the room wherever went. ! trembled with
an nde6nable dread, and oh! how ardcntly long
ed 10 hear the footsteps of Edward in the hall.
tried to speak to the wretched man, bat for some
reason could not; and his eyes still followed me
in silence
"At length, to my dismay, | heard Ella crying
in the next ROOM Gilhorne started.
" Is that your child ?" he asked.
81 trembled as replied that it was Turning
deadly pale, he started from his seat and approach
ed the room whence the cry proceeded. Much as
feared him, caught his arm. The thought that,
in moment Of frenzy, he might do violence TO my
child made me desperate.
You mist not go there / said. ] can hardly
tell what followed. | remember that his eyes
gared upon me with monetary blaze oi maniac
passion, that he pushed me from him, that a dizzy
sickness came over me, and fell upon the floor
When recovered my senses | saw him bend
ing over my darling Ella, as she lay on the rug,
gazing up with baby wonder into his face. With
a cry Of terror | sprang forward. He raised his
head. There WAS no frenzy in his eyes but tears
gushcd from them, and, rolling down his aallow
checks. fell like rain upon the face Of my child
" He kissed her, and rising from his knees,
begged my pardon in a soft and melancholy voice,
aud words 20 delicate, that burst into tcars BE.
fore could eaDhe was gone"
How singular !" exclaimed Isabel
From that day Gilborne's insanity disappeared.
lie is now a minister in c."
" Is That the man, the pious, benevolent, mild
preacher, whom everybody loves 40 well|
"Tbe same. lie turned to Heaven the afcc-
tions which were thrown away upon my unworthy
SELF believe he is happy, but even now, when
| hear of thoughtless hirtations, am pained by
the reflections which they call up"
" But they seldom have such melancholy ter.
minaton, dear aunt" timidly suggested Isabel.
" True Disapp ointments in love generally leave
sorrow in the heart, without shatterng the brain
But there are beings of such fine and sensitive
lures that the health Of both the mind and body
depend upon the soundness OF their affection"
Isabel bowed her head to hide blush and
tear and from that time she was never known to
indulge in thoughtless airtations.
barrister entered one Of the -Four Courts,
Dublin, With his wig so much awry as to cause a
general litter Seeing Currra smile, he said
6 Do you see anything ridiculous in my wgI"