The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-04-29

in slumber.
All her fears we're indeed confirmed;
she started back in horror! sa .s'a
@ God! is it possible!' she exclaimed;
'am | awake or dreaming!
Timidly approaching as if afraid
6cnd-likc voice would bid her begone, she
attempted to remove the dripping gar
ments, but her strength failed. AT
length she succeeded. and, throwing
shawl over him, sat down by bis side.
Pu hing the wet locks from his broad
brow, she stopped to kiss bis lips-those
lips polluted and wreathing with the
fumes of the wine cup-tbose lips which
had uttered only kindness, breathed only
love. aa o.sa
Poor Emily! Bitter we're her thoughts
as she kept her lone vigils over the un.
conscious sumberer. Little did he know
the agony of those hours-little compre-
bend the love which watched over him.
1t was the first time she had ever watch
ed over him. 1t was the first time she
bad ever beheld him thus; SO sudden the
shock, SO unexpected, and she with the
unconscious little one left alone-in fear
full su>pense-awful reality!
When William Ashton awokc to con-
sciousness he was an altered man. Like
Sampson of Old, he had laid his head in
a woman's lap-gisen the locks of bis
manhood to her keepiDg-would she be.
tray himl She bad beheld bis disgrace
would she desert him! His peculiarly
sensitive nature was keenly alive to the
least sense of impropriety, and once dis
graced, ho felt disgraced forever. He
lost his manly dignity, bis noble bearing!
Instead Of rousing from his letbargy,
finging aside the tempter's grasp, and
spurning temptation, for his own, his
wife aud little ones sake, from that day
his steps tended downward, nor could pa
tent endurance, heroic sacrifice stay
them.
o man! once fallen, that thou shouldst
sink, still lower, nor strive to regain thy
manhood. Yet with all the love of her
sympathetic nature, with all patience and
grace did the affectionate wife watch aud
pray for the coming of her better days,
and when loosed from bis self forged
chains, he should rise new man, strong
in body, mighty in spirit.
CHAPTER ii.
1t was one of those lovel ly antumn nal
days, of such holy dimness, such dreamy
softness, that rests like halo on the
brow of nature, that Emily taking her
work-a slipper she was embroidering for
her husband sought the wide vinec COW
cred verandah, and seating herself in a
rustic arm chair, looked out upon the
lovely landscape.
No sound save the drowsy hum Of
listless Ay or the occasional rustic of the
vine leaves, disturbed the stiffness of her
retreat.
The ost-kiug had already clad his
loyal subjects in their robes of departing g
and the forrest trees regally stood in
their many hued livery, or carelessly
nodded their plumes on the passing breeze
! Broad fields of golden grain waved in
gentle undulations and beyond, the pla.
cid waves of noble river. with its snowy
sails sparkling in the sunlight. Nearer
were their own beautiful grounds. taste.
fully arranged, and orname nted Will
shrubbery, and the smooth shaven lawn
along whose dowry paths little Willie wa
drawn by his faithful nurse. On ont
side was limped stream, tributary of tht
deep waters beyond and leading to it
pebbly margin, the rustic arbor wher'
in days agone were renewed these hol,
VOWS, pightiugs of love and fidelity
where were dreamed visions Of futurit
too airy in structure, too delicate iu colo
to withstand the waring elements Of life
0, how foDdly did her eyes rest on tha
holy spot, how vividly did memory recall
each noble aspiration, each holy resolve
and as she thous ht Of the past and pres
ent, sigh escaped her, and burDin
tear dropping on the half finished slipper
rested on delicate white rose, leaving
iudellible stain.
How ike my life,' she mnrmured
gazing at the embrodery-'tear stained
long ere it is completed.
She was interrupted by the sound G
approaching footsteps, and looking VI
beheld the stern form of her father.
You are welcome father, though thi
visit is unexpected. said Emily, raisiu
to meet him, and smiling through her i'll
concealed tears.
AS unexpected to NE as yourself, PEI
haps,' said he hastily. i have come,' b
exclaimed abruptly, ito offer you an
! your boy a home
Emily trembling grasped a frail trell
and sank into her seat.
Father what can you meant she gasI
ed with bloodless lips.
Mean, said be s.ernly. Il mean whs
| say. Haven't you heard! Has he NJ
t told youf"
'Heardl Who'll what! she said in breatl
t less suspense.
Hasn't your husband told you Of b
a failure, recklessness, destitution, and yo'
J. poyertyl'