The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-02-05

room, and seemed to bo trying to nerve
himself to conversation.
you are from city, 1 believe he
said nervously.
Ianswered in the Affirmative.
'Dii you ever know gentleman there by
the name-of-Il. E. F.-?' A I
'lknow him, SIR said sternly, looking
the man steadily in tie face, and know
him also rs as a ruined, heart broken man.
With an ejaculation of anguish he put his
handkerchief: to his eyes. 1t would seem
hypocritical, but the suffering on his face
was unmistakable.
perhaps you have suspected then'-he
began in a 9uiverng voice.
Not calmly, but with the words Of an ac
cusor, told him what had seen, and
thought, and felt. ..r.,
Sir said he, in tones which never shall
forget. IF have sinned, God in Heaven
knows lhave suffered; and if in F.'s bereav-
ment he has cursed me, that curse is fear
fully fulfilled! Poor Mary is dyins-has been
dying for months and have known it.
1t has been for me to see the failing step
the dimming eye; it is for me, now, to see
the terrible struggle of her near Y wornout
frame; it is for me to listen to her language
of rcmorse, that sometimesSplmo drives
me mad. Yes, mad-mad- he said
in franzy, rising and crossing the floor with
long hasty strides. Then burying his face
in his hands, he exclaimed. 'Too late-too
late-I have repcnted.' There was long
pause, and he continued more calmly, No
human means can now restore my poor com
panon. Her moral senslbilitics are more
and more acute as she fails in strength, SO
that she reproaches herself constantly
a weary mournful sigh broke from his
lips, as il his heart would break.
80! if he knew he exclaimed again, 'it
he knew how bitter a penalty she is paying
for the outrage she has committed upon him
he would pity hcr-and if it could be for.
given.'
Will you see her, STRIP
shrank from.thc very thought.
'She has asked for you, sir; do not deny
her request. Hearing that you came from,
America, she cntreated me to bring you to
her. promised that would
Il will 90 them
| Up the cool, wide, matted stairs, he led
me, into Il chamber oriental in its beautiful
furnishing, its chaste magnlilccnce.
There halfreclinins in wide, easy chair
IA costly shawl of lace thrown over hcI
attcnuatcd shoulders: the rich dressing
gown, clinsing, and followed to the ravage
remorse had madc-sat one whose great ant
once gentle gifts, had made the light ant
! lovlincss of II sacred home,
But now o pity! pity!
The eyes only retained their lustrr; they
were wofully sunken. The blazing fir,
! kindled at the vitals, burned upon her sharp
ened checks, burned more ticrcrly, NOR
hotly us she looked upon my face. coul,
think no more of anscr-I could only say t
myself.
'Oh. how sorry am for ydM!'
She knew probably, by her husband
manner, that was aware Of their circum
stances.
Her first question was,
'Are you going back to America, sir?'
The hollow voice startled me. scemc'
to see an open scpulchrc.
ltoid her that it was my intention to re
turn at present.
'Oh. then YOU will take nv little chill
back to her fllhcr:' She cried, the tears fall
ing. Il am DYING. and she must 20 back t
him, 1t is the only r"paration can MAKE
and little enough, Oh little enough, for tn
bitter wron. have done them.'
'Mary you must contro! your feelings,
said my host gently.
'l.ct me talk while may was the answer
Let me say that since the day left my
home | have not seen a sing gc hour Of hap
pincss. 1t WAS always to omcalways JUS
ahead and here is what has come-th'
grave is opening and must Z" to Judgment
o, how bitterly have paid for my sIn.-
Forgive M, % my Gud-forg!vc.'
1t WAS Il solemn hour, that which sprn
hy the dying pcnltant. Prayer she listened
to attenlIvely ly-shc did not seem to join
or if she did, she gave no outward sigh
Remorse had worn away all her beauty
even more than illness. She looked to th
future with desparins kind Of hope, anC
but feeble faith.
Reader the misguided woman of Crylui
lies beneath the stately branches Of tn
palm tree. Her sweet child never met he
father in her native land. She sleep. unlc
the troubled waters of the great wide sea
Where the betrayer wanders | cannot tel
but wherever it is, there is no peace 70
him. How often rings that hollow vvic
in my car--'Tcl him my story, Warn, q war;
everybody