Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-08-26
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Mr. Rahy's guess bad been true one. The
pocket of Mr.. Heathcote had been picked by
one of his wicked companions in the bush,
aud he had murdered the thief for the pur-
pose of recovering the packet, in which hope
he had been foiled. This having been found
upon the body, had been judged conclusive
to identify it with his own remains; and for
these so many years he had not dared to show
himself in civilized parts to gainsay it, but
had lived the marauding life of a busli-ranger.
Tired of this. and having by a successful pill
lage obtained money enough for his transit
homewards. he had ventured back to Eng
land Finding his unfortunate wife well mar
ried and in such great happiness, his hatred
of her was redoubed and his determination
strengthened to prosecute her at all hazards.
The poor lady had never before had strength
of mind to reveal his extortions, nor the hor-
rid truth of his being still in existence; and
now her confession, and the certainty of her
having to leave her beloved Markham for this
dreadful husband. had brought her into the
most dangerous state. She had prayed for
death more fervently than any dying man for
life; when, therefore. the squire had carried up
To her the result of my interview with Heath
cote-for he did not needlessly distress her
with the account of his new atrocity, and of
the means whereby he had finally got rid of
him-she was almost beside herself with joy.
Her gratitude towards me was without
bounds, aud as she strove 10 raise her atten-
uated form from her couch to receive and
thank me, tears choked her utterance.-
The squire was but little more composed.
With their mutual confidence which had
been but this once broken, quite restored, and
their very life-b!ood, as il seemed. set once
more flowing in their veins, it fell to me to
wake them from their dream of new found
happiness, by reminding them of the real
position in which they stood. The reaction
from the extremity of despair to the certainty
OF safety had been too great TO admit OF any
thoughts save those of unailoyed content.
Good and Christian man As the squire was, the
circumstances of Mrs. Markham being still
the lawful wife Of Heathcote whatever that
mans character might be-aDd therefore
making her continuance at the Grunge
impossible, had never once occurred 10 him.
Tn. man having been thoroughly got rid Of
aud all idea Of personal annoyance at an end
Mr.. Markham associated her in bis MUD from
all relation with her first husband nj once.
The poor lady must indeed have thought
often of her sad case, but had put il from her.
probably as something too horrible TO be
dealt with Justly. Nevertheless she was the
first 10 see the rightness of the path which il
wac my daty Us clergyman 10 point out to
both OF them. II fever there was y Case where
spirit and letter seemed at war-if ever one
where Innocent error seemed to be more
terribly atclktu tuhu CItiuS itscil-l ac-
knowledge that il was this Of theirs My
heart was wrung for them To its core. But
1 hal 40 glinmer OF doubt as To what was nee
essary for them TO do Tenderly. bat firmly,
put il before them; aud before | had done,
Mrs. Markham said TO me that il WAS enough.
Il 20 said she. dearest George. at once,
while have still strength TO travel"
The yicarage, Madame, is Of coarse, your
home as long you please
II thank you, dear MIR. Gransley, bat /
leave Woodisiee," said she, las far behind as
possible, this very night"
Aud II claimed the good little old maid,
whom we had almost forgotten, she had been
so silent a spcctatar-.and with you. sister
Jane, TO the end Of the world, II you will
She Is my care. George, from heneeiofth. for
/ have wrong~d hsr in my heart.n
The sqaire's grief was terrible TO witness,
hut he made on opposition. Miss Markham
hid a small estate IA distant county. 10
which il was arranged that the two iadles