The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-10-21

when domestic came to me to say that a
person wished to see me in the hall. Think
ing it was some invited friend who had ar
rived at late hour, l fastened to the door
alone. Imagine my CONSERVATION, when l
saw the wild figure of Gilborne standing be-
fore me.
"How do you do ?" he asked, addressing
me by my maiden name. Wont you shake
hands with me-"
l gave him my hand.
"Yon tremble,' said he, fixing his wild
eyes upon my face. You are not afraid
of me hope?'
ooh, no" l replied in an agitated voice,
for his strange manner frightened me, " why
should be afraid? Come in.'
No, thank you; you have company, 1
see, and l make one guest too many. And
| am not dressed for party" said he glanc-
ing at his disordered attire. $50 you will
excuse me. Ha, ha! Wouldn't 1 cut a
pretty fgure?"
But l cannot talk with you here" 1
said.
ooh, will not detain you minute.
have-ha, ha? l have question to ask
you which is really so absurd when I think
OF it, that cannot help laughing. They
told me-" he said in a pleasant and con6den-
tial tone, they told me, ha, ha think of
the thing-they told me you were married."
and he burst into wild laugh.
Il know BETTER" he continued, "but they
say it is so, and to satisfy them, l deter
mined to come and ask you, for 1 suppose
you ought to know, if anybody. You are
married-ha! ha! ha! / had such queer
dream thought l was standing in the
church door and saw you coming out with
your husband, and you would not speak to
me. Wasn't it queer? and knew all the
time you would never marry anybody but
me. And we are not married yet, are we t?
But who is here tonight? l never saw you
dressed so beautiful before! All" he added,
striking his forehead, 81 dreamed you were
dressed so at your wedding.'' ..
Thus the wretched man went on, sometimes
laughing and sometimes shedding tears. 1
knew he was insane l tried to stop him,
but was too much frightened to speak. In
my agitation 1 took hold of the bell wire
and rang. A domestic came, and I sent for
Mr.. Berford.
"Berford! who is he?" cried Gilborne,
grasping my arm. "They told me that was
the name of your husband. Say-you are
you are not married, are your"
eyes, Mr.. Gilborne," replied, trembling
so that could hardly speak, II am married,
and here is my husband"
10 my great relief l saw Mr.. Berford ad-
vance into the hall. Gilborne started back,
and fixed his eyes upon my husband with a
wild and fierce expression, which caused me
to fear for him.
But Edward was undaunted. Returning
Gilborne's gaze with firm, steady, COM
handing look, he advanced toward him and
demanded what be wanted.
The dangerous spirit of the insane man
was completely subdued. He hung his head
and burst into tears.
"Nothing," he murmured. "Iwant moth
ing now. l have been dreaming; will not
trouble you again. May you be happy"
He turned and staggered out of the door,
and l heard his unsteady footsteps die away
in the distance.
"Poor wretch" muttered Edward, as he
kindly took my hand, che is to be pitied
But you are agitated. hope" he added,
in an anxious tone, "you have nothing to
blame yourself for in this matter!'
81 wish had not" exclaimed fervently.
"But, oh, Edward, feel that have acted
wrong, although, heaven knows, I never in
tended he should love me!''
"Well, do not reproach yourself too
severely" he replied, in mournful voice.
"Let US go back to the parlor, and forget
what has taken place."
We returned together" and Edward s
presence alone sustained me for the rest of
the evening. Fear, pity and remorse made
my heart faint and my cheek pale, and l
was wretched.
II think / understand your feelings"
said Isabel, who listened with deep interest.
know how l should have felt under a
conviction that any thoughtlessness of mine
had ruined fellow beings happiness-per
haps shattered his intellect! But did you
hear from Gilborne again ?"
Listen He disappeared. For more
than year he was absent, and nobody
knew what had become of him. At length
there came reports to c. of q thin,
haggard youth, who wandered about the
country, begging for his bread from door to
door, giving in return for charity, the touch
ing songs which he sung in soft, melan-
choly voice, and the musical tones of an
accordion he carried with him, where be
played with peculiar feeling and skill.
Everybody treated him kindly, for although
he was evidently of an insane mind, there
was mildness, melancholy enthusiasm
about him which won all hearts. Search
was made for him. His friends were not
mistaken in their suscipion. He was the
wandering Gilborne"
"Oh. aunt J" exclaimed Isabel, tears fill
ing her eyes.
"They carried him back to c.. For
several weeks be seemed contented to remain
at home, but at length his disposition to