The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1859-07-13

he had eSpouSed talanted, accomplish
Cd, and beautiful lady. I was well &C
/ quaiuted with her also, and it was to nd
mire her many virtues and good qualities.
What was my astonishmcnt, therefore,
and sorrow, to see lady and q gentle
man embracing with the most endcaring
manner towards each other. Ny first
impulse was to turn the instrument away
( but | was confident had seen my friends
wife, and that the gentleman was an en-
tire stranger TO pe. With the knowledge
/ that her husband was gone to New Or
leans, knew not how to act, if | should
act at all. My Indignation was aroused ;
SO determined to write to him. | re-
questcd him, by letter, to return, giving
him vague hints, and praying him to call
on me before visiting his wife.
The next evening he WIS with me. 1t
was late, and sat reading, except when
| would pause to listen to the soft voice
of my hostess daughter, as it tloated
from her chamber along the gallery, in
lnodulations low and sweet. She sang of
the infdeIity of gay lady, whose lord
had gone to Palestine, and she told how
the weary palmer had come home, after
his weary pilgrimage, exchanging his glo-
| rious sabre for his humble staff md his
harp. She told how he came homo to
find that all his hopes of happiness were
fled, and to die in his grief for its loss
The romance was full OF sadness; and she
sang it so gently; aad she told the brave
knights sorrow SO touchingly that wept,
and | thought ofmy absent and unhap-
py friend 1t was late, when heard the
tread of a horseman galloping up the
avenue leading to the house. AS he en-
crgcd from the gloom, | recognized my
impaticntly expected friend. | fastened
to meet him. His look was cold, and
his hand remained passivcly in mine
He accompanied me to my room, with
out uttering a word or answering any of
my que, tons. Hurt as WAS by his cold
lcmeanor, l silently pointed to chair.
He seated himself. For few moments
there WI pause. He sat gazing upon
the carpet, and felt myself unable to
disturb his reyer;e. Suddenly raising his
eyes to mine, he gasped out, in hoarse
whisper, while the blood rushed to his
lace:
"About my wife,"
1t is difficult task to relate to an in
iuled man the tale Of his own injuries. L
found it so, but proceeded, as briefly as
possible, to relate to him all | knew. He
sat for short time with his eyes fixed
upon mine and silent, then arose and pac-
cd the room and finally muttered, be-
tween his teeth.
"Whero is the teleseope?'
| drew it from my desk and handed it
to him. Taking it, he advanced to the
window and quietly ranged it. l saw
his intention. There was n light i'll his
room, and the instrument was directed
thither. Several moments passed, and
he still stood gazing at the window as
though irresolutc what to do. Suddenly
turning around, he rushed from the room.
In moment his horses hoofs were clut-
tcring OH the pavement, and the wild
horseman was immediately lost in the
gloom. Greatly disturbed, | knew not
how to act. | knew not what deeds the
man might enact, in his fury. was
satisfied that he must have seen some
thing to have disturbed him SO greatly,
and to have moved ono so usually cold
and proud.
approached the window and looked
through tho instrument. They were
there, rs | had expected his wife and
the stranger. | felt that | had done
wrong to open the matter SO suddenly
aul directly to the infuriate husband
Trembling for what might be the effects
of my rasLness, | determined to watch
the result. The few moments ola short
half hour seemed to have been lengthen-
cd into the duration of SO many hours.
But the two persons of my glass increased
TO three. | saw the husband raise hls
band, armed with the heavy riding whip
which | had before observed when he
was in my chamber. The stranger fell
beneath tho heavy blow, unl SO palpa-
ble was the scene of which | was witness,
that l almost thought | heard the blow
and the crash of the broken skull. AT
this momont his wife threw her arms
around him, rs If to protect the fallen
nan. But what mystery is thiss He
who has slricken down his en- ,my-him