Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-02-08

hesitated. Should partake of his hospital
ity the hospitality of one OF those fends in hu.
man shape whose steps take hold on hell2 ]
knew his gnilt-why delay to declare it2 Why
not at once, in burning words, upbraid him for
his villainy, and flee as from pestilence his sin
cursed house9 The man noticed my hesitation.
He could not, of course, interpret its cause. AS
he repeated Lis request the look of distress upon
bis face, excited feeling of pity, which for the
moment, slightly disarmed my resentment and
under the influence of this feeling, almost un-
consciously passed into the dining room.
81 am sorry little Nelly's msmma"-Q was
glad he did not use the sacred name of wife,
''is not able to sit down with us" he said. "1tis
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 motioned me seat before him.
The table glittered with silver plate. Obedi-
ent servants brought on the most costly servers,
delicacies such as had never before seen.
But the skeleton at the feast!
| could not talk, save in monosyllables. 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 converse
ton.
"You are from ---- city, believe" he said
nervously.
answered on affirmative.
ibid you ever know gentleman there BY
the name of H. E. F--w
81 knew him sir" said sternly, looking the
man steadily in the face, "and know him also
as ruined heart broken man."
With an ejaculation of anguish, he put his
handkerchief to his eyes. 1t would have SEEM
ed hypocritical but the suffering on his face was
unmistakable.
"Perhaps you have suspected, then, he began
in quiveling voice.
Not calmly but with the words of an accuser,
l told him what had seen and felt.
."Sir," said he in tones which | shall never
forget. eff have sinned, God in Heaven knows
| have suffered; and ifin F's bereavement he
has cursed me, that curse is feartnly fulfilled !
Poor Mary is dyng-has been dying for months
and have known it. 1t has been for me to see
the failing step-the dimning eye-it is now for
me, TO see the terrible struggles of her nearly
worn out frame; it is for me to listen to her Ian
guage of remorse, that sometimes almost drives
me mad. Yes mad-mad-m lie said, in
frenzy, rising and crossing the floor with long
Lasty strides. Then burying his face in his
hands; lie exclaimed, TOO late-too late-l
have repented." There was long pause, and
he continued more calmly, "No human means can
now restore my poor companion. Her moral
sensibilities become more aud more acute as she
fails in strength, so that she reproaches herself
constantly" ;.
A weary, mournful sigh broke from his lips
as if his heart would break.
"Ol if he knew what bitter penalty she Is
paying for the outrage she has committed upon
him-he would pity her-and if it could be for
give her."
'Will you see her, sirs I"
shrank from the very thought.
"She has asked for you sir; do not deny her
request. Hearing that you came from America
she entreated me to bring you to her. prom
ised that would"
II will 60 then"
Up the cool, wide, matted stairs, he led me
into q chamber oriental in its beautiful furnish
ing, its chaste magni6cence.
There, half reclining in wide, easy chair-a
costly shawl of lace thrown over her altenuated
shoulders the rich dressing gown, clinging, and
followed to the ravages sickness had made-sat
one whose great beauty, and once gentle glits
had made The light and lovelness OF sacred
home.
But now " pity! PITY
The eyes only retained their lustre they were
wofully sunken. The blazing hre, kindied al
the yitals. burned upon her sharpened cheeks,
hnrned more fe-cely, more hotly as she looked
upon my face could think no more OF anger
i could only say to myself:
"Oh how sorry am for you J" :,
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
The hollow voice startled me. seemed 10
see an open sepulchre.
T told her that it was not my intention to re
turn al present. ,
"Oh then who will take my little child back
TO her father ?" she cried, the tears falling. VI
am diving, and she must 60 back to him IL is
the only reparaton | can make-and little 9,
nough, oh little enough, for the bitter wrong
have done them" -,
81 hoped sir, you might see him" }" she added
a moment after, checking her sobs; VI hoped
YOU might tell him his image is before me, from
morning until night, as knew he must have
looked when the first shock came. On slr-teli
my story-warn, oh, warn everybody. Tell
what have suffered through the long, long,
hours, these many weary years; ah, dou only
knows how deeply" -,
"Mary, you must control your feelings" said
my host gently.
s'Let me talk while may" was the answer;
"Let me say that since the day | lett my nome -
have not seen single hour of happiness. IL
was always to come-always just ahead--and
here is what has come; the grave Is opening,
and must go to judgment. O, how bitterly
have paid for my sin. Forgive me-, my 1od
forgive" ,,.
1t was solemn hour that which l spent by
that dying penitent. Prayer she listened to
she did not seem to join, or if she did, she gave
no outward sign. Remorse had worn away al
her beauty. even more than illness. She looked
to the future with despairing kind OF hope, and
feeble faith.
Reader the misguided woman of Ceylon lies
beneath the stately branches of the palm-tree.-
Her sweet child never met her father in her ma
tive land. She sleeps under the troubled wa
ters of the great wide sea. Where the oetrayer
wapders | cannot tell, but wherever it is, there
is no peace for him. How often rings that hol-
low voice in my cor
"Tell him my story! Warn, o warn every
body"
THE CHARITY OF SpEEoH.-Can higher com
nliment be paid to man than to say he speaks
IN of no one? And is any man better spoken of
by all than he who never opens his mouth to the
detriment of his fellow creatures And does
any one in the long run live more happily than
bap The cb,r;.v of speech surpasses that of