The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1860-03-15

of this, and. looking round the silent
room, .whose only ornaments were the
things made sacred by her use, the utter
ldesolssion struck so heavily upon my
heart. that | bowed my head upon ny
folded arms, and yielded to the tender
longing that could not be reprcssed.
! The bitter paroxysm passed, and rails
ing my eyes, the clearer f9r that stormy
rain, l b.held EiEe Shading ike an an
sper to my spirits cry.
With great statt, regarded her, say
ing, at length, in voice lat sounded
cold for my heart }eaped up 70 meet her,
aud yet must not speak,
Eifie, why are you here? p
Wrath like and pale. she stood before
me, with no sigh If emotion hqt the slight
tremor Of her frame, and answered MY
greeting with sad hpmility =
came because / promised to cleayc
TO you through health and sickness, pow
city and wealth, and must keep that
vow ill you abSolre me from it. Forgive
m, but | knew misfortune had ief2llen
you, and, remembering all you had done
for me, came. hoping l might comfort
when other friends tese ted you
Grateful to the last - | sighed, low
to myself, aud, though deeply touched
replied with the hard won calmness that
made my speech SO brief
You owe me nothing, Ffc, ana l
most earnestly desired to spare you this. "
Some sudden hope seemed born of my
ragretful words, for with an eager glance
she cried,-
"Was it that desire which prompted
you to part from me2 Did you think l
>hould shrink from sharing poverty with
you who gave ne all I own Z"
No, de@r.-ah no. | said, Il kncw
J ur grateful spirit far too well for that.
It vas because | could not make yous
happiness, and yet bad robbed you Of the
right TO seek it with seme younger aud
some better man
I" Basil, what man? Tell me; for no
doubt shall stand between US now !?
She grasped my arm, and her rapid
words were 4 command
| only answered, "Alfren Vaughan
Ellie covered up ner face, crying AS she
sank down at my feet
oh, my fear. rny fear. Why vas
blind SO l1Gg ~
| felt her grief to. my hearts core; for
my own anguish made me pitiful, and my
love made me strong l lifted up t!at
dropping head and !aid it down where it
might never rest again. saying, gently,
cheerly, and with most sincere forget
fulness Of SELF
"My wife, / never cherished harsh
thought Of you, never uttered rcproach
whom your affections turned from a cold
neglected. guardian, to find tenderer
resting place. sax Your struggles dear,
your patient grief, your silent sacrifice,
and honorod you more truly than can
tell. Etfie. | robbed you OF your liberty,
but ! will restore il, making such poor
reparaJioa IS ! can for this long year of
pain; and whcuI you klest IN hap
pier home, my keen remorse viii ae ap-
peaged
As ceased, ,k kGie rc@a erect aud stood
before NE, transfo: MED from timid girl
into an earnest woman. Some dormant
power and passion woke she turned on
me 4 countenancc ag!oT with feeling,
q'ul in the &c, heart on the lips, and in
her voice an energy that held he mute
Il feared to speak before" she said
:" but now | dare anything for l have
heard you call nc wife and seen that
in your face which gives me hope Bas
il, the grief you saw was not for the loss
of any love but yours the conflict YOU
bcheld was the daily struggle to subduc
my longing spirit - your viii; and the
sacrifice you honor but tie remuneration
Of all hope, | stood betwcen YOU and
the woman Eham you loved, and asked
Of death to free me from that cruel lot.
You gave me back my lite, but you with
held the gift thao made it worth possess
ing YoQ desired to be freed from the
affection which only wearicd you. and !
tried to eonqner it but it would not die
let ne speak now, and then / Will be
still forever Must cur ways lie apart
Can never be more to you than now
Oh, Basil OH, my husband | have Low
ed YOU very truly from the first Shall
[ never Gnog the blessodEcgs of a re-
turn "
Words could not answer that appeal.
i gathered NY hfc's happiness close to
my breast, and in the silence of a fu ]
heart felt that God was very good to mc.
Soon al my pain and passion were con-
fessCd. Fast ard feWently the tale was
told and as the truth dawncd on that
patient wife, a tender peace transformed
her uPifted countenancc, pntiF to me J.
seemed an angels face. ID. s.-s
" au poor man now" I said, still