The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1859-02-17


head-looked out from his eyes-spoke
when he was silent.
VIII you come to dinner ?" he asked
I hesitated. Should I partake Of hts
hospitality the hospitality Of one Of
those fends IN human shape whose steps
take hold on hell? | knew his guilt
why delay TO declare it? Why not at
once, in burning words, upbraid him for
his yiIlainy aud lee. rs from pestilence.
his sin-curaed house? The man noticed
nv hesitation. He couli not, Of course.
interpret lis cause. As he repeated his
request, the look Of distress upon his face
excited a feeling Of pity, which for mo-
mcnt slightly disarmed ny resentment,
and. under the influence Of this feeling,
almost uuconsciousJy l passed into the
diniD@-room.
| an sorry little Nelly's mamma =
Il was glad he ala not dare to use the sa-
cred name Of wite}-''is not able to sit
down with US, he said 1t is many
mouths since we have had her presence
at our meals. She is suffering from the
effects Of slow fever, induced by the ell
mate, he added grayely, as he motioned
me TO 4 seat before hin.
The table glittered with silver plate
Obedicnt servants brought, on the most
costly servers, deIicacies such as [ had
never seen before. But. the skeleton sat
at the feast. | could not talk save il
monosylbIes. Ny host ate hastily~-al-
most carelessly-waitiug upon me win
many abrupt starts and apologies. Wine
came IL drank freely. Soon he sent
the little girl aud servants from the room,
and seemed striving to nerve himself to
conversation
You are from city, believe" 3"
he said nervou>ly.
I answered an affirmative.
" Did YOU ever know a gentleman there
bv tile name of-U. =. F-!"
4 know him. Sir" said sternly, look
ing the man steadily in the face, "and |
know him also as ruined, heart-broken
man" With an ejaculation Of anguish
he put his handkerchief to his eyes It
would have seemed hypocritical, but the
suffering on his face was unmistakable.
Perhaps you have suspected then =
he began in a 4uiyeung voice
Not calmly, but with the words Of an
accuser, ] told him what had seen, aud
thought. and felt.
Sir. said he. in tones which I shall
never forget. IF / have sjunel, God IN
Heaven knows what have suffered and
if in F.. bereavement he has cursed me,
that curse is fearfully fulfilled. Poor
NarviS dving-has been diving formonths
and | have known it. 1t has been for
me to see the failing step--the dimmiug
eve; It Is for me now, 10 see the ter
trrle struggles Of her nearly worn ont
frame: it IS for me TO listen to her Ian
guaca Of remorse. that sometimes almost
drives ne mad. Yes, mad-mad-lnad,
he said, iu frenzy, rising and crossing the
Hoor with long hasty strides. Then bury
in- his face in his hands, he exclaimed,
d. Too late-too late-I have repeuted p
There was q long pause. and he contIn-
ued more calmly, No human means can
now restore my poor companion. Tier
moral -cneibilitics bccome more and more
acute as She fails in strength, 20 that sine
rapraachos herself constantly
\ weary. mourntul sigh broke from his
lips. as if his heart would break
90 if h knew he exclaimed again,
"if lie knew how bitter penalty she Is
paving for the outrage she has committed
upon hin-hc wouid pity her-and if It
could be. forgive"
VIII You see her, sir"
I shrank from the very thought
She has asked for you, sir; donot de-
nv her request. Hearing that You came
from America. size cntrcatcd NE to bring
vou to her. | promised that | would.
" Will 70 then
Jn the cool, wide, matted stairs he led
me. into a chamber oriental in Is beauti-
full furnishing. It's chaste magniGcence.
There, half reclining in wide, easy
chair-a costly shawl Of lace thrown over
her attcnuated shoulders; the rich dress.
inc-eown. cIuginC, and followed to The
rava-o- sickness had madc-sat oucwh9sC
great beauty, and once gentle gifts, hat
made the light and loyeincss Of a sacred
home.
But nor! Q pity. pity.
The eyes only retained their luster
they were woauIly sunkcn. The bluzin-