Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-07-08

I
foolish quarrel with Ainslie. You
never saw such q wreck as 1t made of
him. However she is we'll punished;
for with all her consumate tact and eff
fort 20 keep up appearances, it is very
plain that she is the most miserabel
woman in existence; as Mr.. Jefferson
Jones, whom / have never seen, might
perceive, if he wasn't, as all the world
says, the very prince of the donkeys." :"
Jones seized his hat, and rushed into
the open air, tugging at his neck-t as
if he were choking. Six times he went
like comet, round the square; then,
settling his beaver down over his eyes,
in very prophetic manner, he turned
his footsteps deliberately home ward.
1t was the deceitful calm before the
whirlwind.
He found Edith calm, pale, and self
possessed, as usual. He was quite as
much so himself-evcn went so far as to
compliment her on coquctish little
jacket that fitted her round figure very
charmingly. t.
I'm thinking of taking a short jour
ney, Edith said he seating himslf by
her side, and playing with the silk en-
cord and tassels about her waist. 'As
it is wholly a business trip, it would
hamper me to take you with me; but
you'll hear from me meanwhile, you
know how to amuse yourself, hey,
Edith?
He looked scarchingly in her face
There was no conscious blush, no change
of expression, no trcmor of the frame.
Ia -,,,;o,l,1 a., ,ron Have odj,o,e,l
marble statue.
Mr. Jefferson Jones was posed
Well, he babe her one Of his character
istic adieus; and when the door closed,
Edith felt as if mountain weight had
been lifted off her heart There was
but one course for her TO pursue. She
knew it-shc had already marked it
out. She would deny herself to all Wis
itors-she would not go abroad till her
husbands return. She was strcng in
her purpose. There should be no door
left open for busy scandal to enter
OF Ainslie she knew nothing, save that
Il letter reached her from him after her
marriage, which she returned uno-
pened. .
Ard so she wandered rcstlessly
.thron those splendid rooms, and tri
ed, by this seff 'aflffctcd pehahce, to
atone for the detection of her heart.
Did she take her guitar, old songs they
had sang together came unbidden to
her lips-that book, too, they had read
o, it was all misery, turn where she
would. ".t.r d. .-
Day after day passed by-no letter
from Mr. Jones. The time had already
passed that was fixed upon for his re-
turn and Edith, nervous from close con
fnement and the weary inward struggle,
started like frightened bird at every
football. ..aI !.-: ... ..s -.-....
1t came at last-the lettcr-sealed
with black t'He had been accidentally
drowned His hat was found; all search
for his body had been unavailing.'
Edith was no hypocrite. She could
not mourn for him save in the outward
garb Of woe, but now that he was dead,
conscience did its Office. She had not
in the eye of the world; but there is an
Eye that searches deeper, that scans
thoughts as well as actions.
Anslie was just starting for the CONT
nent, by order of his physician, when
the news reached him. a brief time he
gave to decorum and they met. 1t is
needless to say what that meeting was
4 Days and months of wretchedness were
forgotten, like some fearful dream
She was again his own Edith, sorr2wing
repentant and happy.
They were sitting together one eve
ning--Edith's head was upon his
shoulder, and her face radient as ser
aphs. They were speaking of their fu
ture home.
"Any spot on the wide earth bu
this, dear Ainslie. Take me away fro I
these painful associations"
Say you so, pretty Edith?'' said
r we'll known voice, Il but tried tha
faithful heart of yours, to prove it,
Pity to turn such pretty comedy int
tragedy; but 1 happen to be manage
5 here young man!'' said Mr.. Jones
, turning fercelv to the horror -strucl
? Ainslie. ..r -'
The revulsion was too dreadful
e Edith survived but a week. Ainslie be
o come hopclessly insane.