Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1858-10-20

fresh traits of goodness. Ibelieve that
when once yOur word is passed it new
er will be revoked; and now, loving you
as do, ask you, will you become my
wife %
The little hand was pressed, and
silvery voice answered, Il will. l love
you as my life.'
That was all she said-but it was
enough. Volumes were contained in
that answer; and, true to Adelaide's
counsel, Lucy accepted Jimmy Hill
and he lost a firt, but found treasure.
While this scene was transpiring in
one part of the mansion, in another
saloon were Adelaide and the southern
er. Livingston Durward was very
fair appearing man, but something in
his eye bespeak licentious fire, and a
certain prominent feature on his visage
bespeak rather free acquaintance
with something stronger than water.-
He, too, made declaration ofloye, and
was referred to Pa"
Six months more, and there is a
double wedding. Lucy becomes Mrs.
James Hill, and Adelaide Mrs. Liy-
ingston Durward.
The former contcnted themselves
with making bridal tour to the wild
scenes which surrounded Niagara
The latter sailed to Europe.
With James Hill, everything went
on swimmingly. Business increased;
and, from petty store-keeper, ne be-
came wholesale merchant IN the
city. From counting his means by the
hundreds, he advanced to thousands,
and was known to be a wealthy man.
He bad a true help-mate in his wife
she always made home the happiest
spot on earth, and the best foved Of all
Ten years had been numbered with
the past. In q narrow street in New
Orleans is a crazy old tenement; its
dilapidated condition reminds one of
sc1me old caStle-ruln sinking 80 decay,
and We wonder If such a dismal hole
can possibly be tenanted. We enter.
It is the midnight hour. That hour SO
traught with dread, that hour when the
surerstitious believe that the spirits Of
the departed return to the earth, and
walk abroad as things of flesh and
blood; that hour when the assassin's
knife is so often unsheathed and bur-
led in his victims heart, and we con
tess that strange feeling, akin to awe,
takes possession Of us as we enter the
tottering old fabric. IEark we hear
voice.
''N ;@y does he leave me thus alone
hour after hour, night after night -
Why is he thus infatuated with that
which has proved his ruin ? Little did
| suppose, when promising to love and
obey, that my fate was beiBg linked to
that Of a gambler!
II married him to be a lady-I did
not love him then. ! do love him now.
Yes ! we have suffered together, we
have nearly starved together, and then
there kindled a flame, which is love-
bark is that his footstep? No! tits
far too steady; for his will tremble
meath the weight Of the Intoxicating
cup.
''Our babe, poor thing, how it suf-
fered; but last night it died--it is hap
py now "
Here comes four men, bearing a
corpse, and, with one wild cry, the wo-
man throws herself upon that form, and
says
''Livingston y
All! we recognize her now-snE
ONCE WAS ADELAIDE LELASD-now is
the gamblers widow.
One evening early in autumn, Lucy
Hill was seated in her reception saloon.
Everything betokened comfort; around
her played three little chertbs--her
children; beside her sat her husband,
his face wore the look Of contentment
and happiness, but his mind seems wan
dering.
Lucy" he says, cit is a long time
since we heard aught Of Adelaide
Yes, It's five long years; why does she
remain silent %
'Why it is, James, cannot conce-
i've; perhaps she never heard OF our re-
moval; our letter, informing her Of the
fact, may have miscarried."
Il may be wrong, Lucy, but l think
it is willful neglect. Perhaps her cof-
ters are full and she desires 20 forget
lis, and rs to forget her,"
"Perhaps so. There, James, see,
who is that wretched woman at the
door; her face seems familiar, yet |
| cannot recall when or where l had
seen it."
The door opens, and the intruder
enters. She speaks:
"James Hill, you know me not; but
once you told me, that in the hour of
need l must apply to You. Forgive
the past, for l have suffered much-I
am the once tickle Adelaide LeIand.''
That house was thenceforth tie wild
ow's home.
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