Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-04-06

uau ueSoiateu nOuSehOld and forgetting
honor, shame, everything that pertains to vir-
tue and to God, had fed from the country with
the man whose arts had won her waDton love.
How could / remain under the roof that now
seemed accursed3 How meet the destroyer
of virtue-the fiend who had reveled in such
a conquest?
could only think of the evil they had done |;
not what they might suffer through the tor
lures Of remorse. 1t was some time before
the seducer came into the room where 1 still
sat with the child, determined to meet him
once more before l left the house.
Oh! how guilty how heart stricken his ap-
pearance Remcrse sat upon his forehead
looked out from his eyes-spoke when he was
silent.
"Will you come TO dinner 2" he asked.
/ hesitated. Should partake of his hospi-
tality; the hospitality of one of those fends
in human shape whose steps take hold on hell
l knew his guilt-why delay 10 declare it {?
Why not at once, in burning words, upbraid
him tor his yillainy, and fee as from pesti-
lerce his sincursed house2 The man noticed
my hesitation. He could not, of course in
terpret its cause. AS he repeated his request,
the look of distress upon his face excited
feeling of pity, which, for the moment, slight
ly disarmed my resentment, and, under the
influence of this feeling, almost unconscious
ly passed into the dining room.
81 am sorry little Nely's mamma''-I was
glad he did not dare to use the sacred name of
wife)-.sis not able TO sit down with us,'' he
said. ssft 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 be motioned
me- seat before him.
The table glittered with silver-plate. Obe-
dient servant broughts on the most costly ser
vers, delicacies such as had never seen be-
fore.
But, the skeleton sat at the feast,
l could not talk, save in monosylables. Ny
host ate hastily-almost carelessly-wating
upon me with many abrupt starts and apollo
ges.
Wine came. He drank freely. Soon he
sent the little girl and the servant from the
room, and he seemed 10 nerve himself to con-
versaton.
'sYou are fron-city, believe,'' he said
nervously.
/ answered an affirmative.
ssDid you ever know gentleman there by
the name-of-H. f. F-?"
ssI knew him, SIR said ste:nly, looking
the man sternly in the face, ssand know him
also as a ruined, keart-broken man."
With an ejaculation of anguish, he pnt his
handkerchief to his eyes. 1t would have
seemed hypocrltical, but the suffering on his
face was unmistakable-
"Perhaps you have suspected, then'-he
began, in quivering voice.
Not calmly, but with the words Of an accu-
ser, told him what had seen, and thought,
and felt.
ssSir,'' said he, in tones which l shall never
forget, "if | have sinned, God in Heaven
knows that have suffered; and if in FPS
bereavement he has cursed me, that curse is
fearfuily fulfilled! Poor Mary is dying-has
been dying for months, and have known it.
1t has been for me, now, to see the failing
step, the dimming eye; il is for me to see
the terrible struggles of her nearly wOrn-out
- 80 c. t;eta TO har Ian
of remorse, that sometimes almost drives me
mad. Yes, mad-msd-mad," he said in
frenzy, rising and crossing the floor with long
hasty strides. Then, burying his face in his
hands, he exclaimed ssToo late-tOo late-I
have repented.' There was long pause, and
he continued more calmly, ''No human being
can now restore my poor companion. Her
moral sensibiiities become more and more
cute as she fails in strength, so that she re-
proachss herself constantly"
A weary, mournful sigh broke from his lips,
as if his heart would break.
"Oh! if he knew he exclaimed again, elf
he knew how bitter penalty she is paying
for the outrage she has committed upon him
he would pity her-and If il could be forgive"
ssWill you see her, sir 7''
/ shrank from the very thought.
s'She asked for you, sir; do not deny ter
request. Hearing that you came from Ameri-
ca, she entreated me to bring you to her.
promised that l would.'
ssI will go, then.''
Up the cool, wide, matted stairs, he led me
into chamber oriental in its beautiful furnish
ing, its chaste magnificence.
There, halt reclining, in a wide, easy chair
"a costly shawl of lace thrown over her at
tenuated shoulders the rich dressing gown,
clinging and followed to the ravages sickness
had made-sat one whose great beauty, and
once gentle gifts, had made the light and
loyeliness of sacred home.
But nolD! o pity pity!
The eyes only retained their lustre +; they
were wofully sunken. The blazing 1re Kim
died at the vitals, burned upon her sharpened
cheeks, burned more iercely, more holly as
she looked upon my face. l could think no
more of anger-I could only say to myself:
"Oh how sorry l am for you 90
She knew, probably, by her husbands man
ner, that was aware of their circumstances.
Her first question was:
care you going back to America, sir 2"
The hollow voice startled me. l seemed to
see an open sepulchre.
I told her it was not my intention to return
at present.
ooh, then. who will take my little child
back to her father q" she cried, the tears fai-
ling. 81 am dying, aud she must go back to
him IT is the only reparation L can make
and little enough, for the bitter wrong have
done them"
t.I hoped, sir, you might see him. she ad,
ded a moment after, checking her sobs; "l
hoped You might tell him that his image Is
before me from morning till night,as knew he
must have looked when the first shock came.
Oh. sir-tell him my story-warn, on, warn
everybody. Tell him L have suffered through
the long, long hours, these many weary years.
ab. God only knows how deeply.
s.Mary. YOU must control your feelings"
said nv host, gently.
ri. .et me talk while may" was the answer.
,r that since the day ] left my