The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-10-19
George, I am miscnbly blue, when you ar'
out Of sight. What should I do to lose yot



out Of sight. What should I do to lose yor
altogether?'
And dropping her head upon his shoulder
she burst into passion Of tears.
Grieved and conscience stricken, ho tried
to sootho her, whispering softly:
BELLA, sweet wife. you arc nervous. an
afraid you are i'll. What foolish girl she
is, to be sure7' And he attempted to laugh
gaily, but gave only ghastly glimncr Of q
smile, while she raised her drenched face, and
said hurridly:
TO tell the truth, have such strange fan.
cies, sometimes. know how weak and foul.
ish they are, but cannot conquer them
When you are away everything horrible that
might occur comes up before mo. But will
tell you, rather, how proud was OF you,
the other, day listening to you In the senate
chamber. How my heart throbbod and eI.
ulted at every eloquent sentence and generous
sentiment. There Is one, said |, who is ready
to stand bravely forth for the right Of oil
mankind, who Is at peace with oil, and tho
name share will never bear single stain.
Bella, Bella, how foolishly you talk OF
such an unworthy specimen Of mankind a.
your poor husband, whose greatest pride is
the prize he won when that dainty finger
there accepted the plain gold ring that
shames those glittering diamonds near it.
And TO hide his saddened face, and divert
her attention, he bent over the jewelled hand
with all lovers fondness.
She twisted the wedding ring thoughtful.
ly around the slender finger, and said, in q
musing tono:
I'VE had an auspicious wedding that night
did we not! How merry your sisters were,
to SEQ mo 30 shy and silent, with the strange
awe l could not drive away. was almost
afraid to promise yes TO the momentous ques-
ton, lest my giddy nature should make me
fail in some way. But how boldly you spoke,
dear George. ! remember 90 we'll hearing the
clear ringing Of your voice above the tumult
in my heart. Well you might DO confident.
There is little danger Of your failing to lovo,
cherish and protect your Isabel. M earthly
temptation could make you peril your wife's
happiness"
The agitated husband moved uneasily,
dropped the hand he held, and thcn seizing
it, vehouently exclaimed
Bella, Bella, In mercy, stop. l am not
worthy such wife as you y
She looked up wonderingly into his face,
but he turned away to the window and lifted
the curtain.
1T is cloudy overhead, is II not?' she
asked quietly. Il had hoped 80 much for u
day of sunshine, but l fear there will DO q
storm Tomorrow
A low groan escaped him. 'Ay, hc NUT
tered, as ho strobe hastily out Of the room,
'thcre will be storm tomorrow
Gray and misty, without rain or snow,
the appointed morning camo out slowly from
the protecting mantle of night. In lonely
field, barren and bleak, shaded only here and
there bys faded, moaning pine, fit rendezvous
for such deed, was gathered group OF
gentlemen. Like the guilty wretch he felt
himself to be, Senator Phillips had stolen
away in the dusk of breaking day from the
chamber OF his wife and child little dreaming,
what shivcring throb his silent
kiss upon the pure, pale cheek had sent to
his Mary's anxious heart. Little dreaming
now, as he stood, calm and baughtily erect,
in outward seeming, with the deadly weapon
in tho hand her soft clasp had sanctiiicd for
better aims, how wild and fcrvent prayer
was rising up for him from those sweet lips
ho loved 30 well. Yes, very calm and cool
in outward seeming, but what q tumult ragged
within, Us no received the shining pistol,
handed by his friend, and glanced over at the
pale, grave face of the man before him. Was
he an enemy? His conscience refused to
confirm the charge. Nay, but even were 1t
no, without doubt, could ho find within his
heart the slightest desire to injure him? lie
tried to recall the offence. To dwell upon
the words that at tho time had left such
scorpion sting. How they had dwindlcd into
significance A few excited words OF person.
al abuse How trivial they seemed Tor one
to refuse to pardon and overlook, who might
soon be pleading at the Great Tribunal above
for mercy on his own sins. Ii true, they
were deserved, if false, how speedily his life
Of rcctitude could show tho lie. Was 1t for
such cause his audacious hand was
raised against the life his Maker had be-
slowed? One by ono his clcar-eycd Marys
came up before him. lie confessed
them true, and loathed himself that ho dared
not own them audibly, and yet still no stood
erect and silent.
Yes, there they stood, those gifted, gcner-
men with pallid lips and burning
Dyes, but yet no single throb, of resentment
Or enmity in either heart. Gladly would the
hands, 50 soon to speed tho fatal ball. have
met 10 friendly grasp; but tho worlds dread
augh, the world 8 tlinsy code ofhonor, raised
the pot ,nt barriers between, and they dared
not thurst them down, though standing there,
rs they believed, tovindicate their manlincs
md bravery Therefore, the stin'frozen
ground Was measured of, tho thrilling signal
given, and loud reports and binding smoke
rolling away In time TO disclose u
party Of horsemen close at hand.
Fly, gentlemen, oil the officers OF the law
,re upon US ? cries IN agitated second, and
in that moment OF confusion, not ono has
thought for anything but cscape.
The quick, fleet stepping Of flying horses,
md rumbling noise Of dashing wheels upon
he ground died OF in the distance, and the
oncly field Is quiet once moro.
What did you say to s., Warner?
In Heavens namo, what did you say? That
you saw Dayton stagger and fall after l had
driven of Have Ikilled him? o, heavens,
sm murderer
Sinking back into tho carriage, weaker
than any sobbing infant, Senator Phillips
waited to hcar his doom. What stern
hagcard face he raisedas hisfriend returned,
slowly, reluctantly, and yet with suppressed
excitement.
1T is truo, then?' escaped with q heart.
wrung groan from the duclist.
Il am afraid must hurry you away, Phil.
lips, II you would SOC your wife before you
ay to place Of safety"
Fly? No, no, s., have fallen low
enough, but not 80 low as that. hayo done
the decd, and what man there is left in mo
will stay and abide the issuo. Tho sooner
the punishment comes, the better. II IL can
quiet the 6end Of conscience Within
.But, Phillips, man, your wife and child.
You must think Of them
A cold shiycr ran through his stalwart
frame. hydidyou not caution me bcfore!'