The Nevada journal., 1859-03-25
Did you come from America 2 she

thing OF that country z l returned
growing more and more pleased with
her expressive face.
Only that mamma came from there,
and l think she added. hesitatingly,
that | did. But Mr.. c., will never let
me talk about it,
Are you, then, not the little daughter
of Mr.. c. asked, somewhat astonished.
1 am my mothers daughter, answer
ed the child, with a grave dignity in
one so young-and minute after she
arose and quietly left the room.
1 sat watching her white robes fitting
through the long shady walk opposite
my window, and knew that the child
brooded over some dark sorrow, for her
eyes were filed with tears.
Why was it. questioned myself, that
painful thought took possession of me
as sat there ? 1t seemed as if / were
sojpurning in an enchanted spot, ard
that some horror was suddenly to break
upon me.
Atmy side, nearly covering bcauti-
full table of letter wood, were several
costly gift books. took them careful
ly, for l have a reverence for books,
and turning to the fly leaf Of splendid
bound copy of Shakespeare read:
To Mary Francis =, from her
devoted husband, Henry L. r.
A thrill of surprise and anguish ran
from vein to vein. My thoughts seemed
paralyzed. The truth had burst upon
me with such suddcnness that the blood
rushed with a shock to my heart.
l knew Henry E. p, had
known him intimately for years. He
was a friend towards whom all my
sympathieS had been drawn, 70: he had
seen such sorrow as makes the heart
grow old before its time.
His wife, whom lie loved, had deserted
him. She had taken with her his only
child. She had desolatcd household
and forgetting honor, shame and every
thing that pertains to God, and fed from
the country with the man whose art had
won her wanton love.
How could | remain under the roof
that now seemed accurscd How meet
the destroyer of virtuc-the ficnd who
had revcled in such great conquest
could only think of the evil they
had done-not what they might suffer
through the lortures Of remorsc. 1t was
some time before the scducer came into
the room where | still sat with the chilli,
determined to meet him once more be-
fore | left the house.
o! how heart stricken his appear
ance Remorse sat upon his forehead
looked out from his eyes - spoke
when he was silent.
VIII you come to dinner 2 he asked.
l hesitatcd. Should l partake of lis
hospitality the hospitality of ono of
those fends in human shape whose
steps take hold on hell! l knew his
guilt why delay to declare it Why
not at once, in turning words, upbraid
him for his yillainy and flee as from a
pcstilcnce his accursed house The
man noticed my hesitation. lie could
not, of course, interpret its cause. AS
he repeated his request, the lyok of dis
tress upon his face excited feeling of
pity, which, for the moment, slightly
disarned my resentment, and, under the
influence of this feeling, almost uncon-
sciously passed into the dining room.
i am sorry little Nelly's mamma
q was glad he did not dare to use the
sacred name of wife )--'is not able 20
sit down with u.s. he said 1t is many
months since we have had her presence
at our meals. She is suffering from the
effects Of slow fever. induced by the
climate he added gravely, as he mo-
toned me a seat before him.
The table glittered with silver plate.
Obedient servants brought, on the most
costly servers, delicacies such as 1 had
never seen before.
But the skeleton sat at the feast
could not talk, save in monosyla-
bles. My host ate hastily-almost
carelessly-waiting upon me with many
abrupt starts and apologies.
Wine came. He drank freely. Soon
he sent the little girl and servants from
the room, and seemed striving to nerve
himself to conversation.
You are from- city, believe, he
said.
/ answered an affirmative.