The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1859-04-21

can Aardly tDlnK now IL was thaC leV-
er cried at all; but | know it was be-
cause was parted from you. I'm so
glad broke that window down; they
had taken the bars down on purpose,
guess, and got thro' and have found
you. Oh! take me with you, dear
Leo; don't let them get me again. -
She clung about his neck with the ut
most tondness, returning freely all his
kisses and expressions of love. She
had forgotten utterly that he was not
still her own.
"What are you doing with that mad
woman!" said II rough voice close by
the side Of the unobserving pair.
Mercy screamed feartully. "Save
me, Leo-don't let him take me away
from you; for pity, oh, for pity. Do not
give me up"
"Who are you, SIR, demanded Leo.
"Who are you, more like,out here in
the graveyard, making love to a mad
woman!'
my name is DeWolf; now will you
have the goodness to answer me
civilly" said Leo, with dignity.
"Excusc Inc, sir; ! did not know
YOU
The mans whole dcmeanor was in
stantly changed, and why! Oh! be-
cause Mr.. DcWolf was a very rich
man--or his ,cye was, which the tel-
low supposed(radical crror) was all
the same.
Il am one of the keepers of the
insane asylum where that person has
for several years been confined. She
has to day been breaking out, and a
pretty hunt I've had after her. sup
pose you won't interfere withmy duty,
sir"
NO, but you can go your way, now.
I'll see that all is right, and we shall
have less disturbance.
The man went away.
what did you say to him. could
not hear, you spoke so low," asked
Mercy.
"Oh, told him that he needn't put
hmselfto to any more trouble about you,
for that would take care of you"
Good Leo-dcar, blessed Leo how
kind YOU are; but did you hear him
call me mad womanr That is Just the
way they talk to me all the time, and
Leo, it sometimes makes rae afraid
that am mad, or shall soon become
So
oh! hush, dear Mercy; do not talk
in that sad way. Listen to me, now.
| am not prepared to take you home
with me tonight. 1t would not do
and | want you to be a good girl, and
be ruled by me, as you know you al,
ways love to be, don't you, Mercy!
and the traitor kissed her.
'Ycs indeed, Leo, love to obey your
every wish. | wish that | could find
such real delight in obeying all the
will Of my God
| lneilablc was the love that beamed
from those beautiful upturned eyes
into the eyes of Leo.
A wrench Of agony at the strong
mans heartslrings told him how he
ycalncd for what he had willlully
cast aside; he felt confident in his own
mind that were he free to take Mere,
home with him, the insanity whicl
had made her his victim could sool
be charmed away; but although he hac
brought this wo upon the gentle being
who was now SO happily nesting t.
his bosom. and whom alone he loved
he was not to be permitted to minis
. ter to her cure.
; There was desperation in the
thought, but it must be struggled will
and over come. After few moments
| painful silence, Leo said, while ht
softly passed his hand over the whit,
face and clear eyos Of her he held
81 knew you loved to please INC, my
sweet Mercy, and now will tell you
) what | want you to do. Go back
with me to the place from which
you escaped in such an undignitied
manner, and remain there for few
days, until | can come and take you
openly and honorably. BE a good
> |
patient girl, and wait happily for my
return. will come to you at the
very first moment that can do SO, ant
take you to be always with Inc. Viii
you do as ] desire"
"Yes-why should noll" said thu
maniac, in a willing, con,en.ed tone
And after another half hours tall,
and a hundred fond kisses and embra
ccs, Leo prevailed upon hmsel! tc
part with her, and left her with the
matron Of the. asylum. This meeting
though it worked a, much for q curse
, AZ for n blessing TO Leo, was an un-