The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1860-02-02
CHAPTER II.
i" Mrs. Ross. DR.. Eustis. "

A quick glance of invest CATION at my
face, and one even more transient Of re-
proach to Pcrcival, proceeded her ac-
knowled -mcnt Of the introduction, the
high bred courteousness of which scarce
ly vailed the coldness of the welcome.
But the first step was taken. | had
formed her acquaintance and obtained
entrance to her house, and as often as
possible, without arousing any suspicion
on her part, for many succeeding weeks
did l seek her presence and study her as
one of the most difficul, pages Of the alb.
strusc book of nature.
Sometimes l found her almost gay and
joyous. as though the lghtness of heart
which probably originally characterized
her, from some unknown depth would
bubble up to life again sometimes in a
tender melancholy, as if her soul with
trailing pinlons mourncd its wasted treas
ures again in an apathy of Indifference,
benumbed, as it were, by the conscious
ness that unknown fate" could bring
nothing more than she already endured !;
aud then fierce, defent. comba,ivc, with
a flashing light in her splendid eye that
took the weird and wicked CLEAN of in
sanity. But in whatever phase | found
her, no word was ever spoken Of self,
and the most artful turn / could give
the conversation in that direction was
either foiled or met with friyid silence.
An a!l-sccing eye alone could know all
that she had to hear, but | as visitor
saw enough to understand that it was
every thing a coarse, tyrannical nature,
cmbruted by the constant use of strong
drink, had power to infict on a high
strung, refined and sensitive tcmpera.
ment.
Oft'ntimes, though, when the digni-
fed GOODNESS of her manner failed as a
check upon him, l saw the rough oath
vanish unuttered from his lips, the ma
licous ferociiy disappear from his ac.
tons, and his eye absolutely quail before
the steadfast look of naughty warnin.
she would fix upon him. Involuntarily
the thought would rise:
"God help you, man, should you ever
transgress the verge of her endurance.
Desperation could give that slender hand
grasp of steel upon da-ser's haft i,
conviction come that one blow nigh,
avenge the torture for years"
As the time progressed, Ross became
more and more addicted to habits Of in
temperance, and with each Bacchanaliar
or"iu he grew more and more ferocious
until he became the terror of the entire
community.
Even public curiosity, which, frou
her perseysring retirement had almos
forgotten her existence, commenced t.
wonder how Mrs. Ross endured his con
duct, and silent sympathy seemed t,
rise in her behalf.
Percival and | gradually became con
scious that she secluded herself from us
and under an exterior of calmness
knew he chafed to madness at his lack 0
power to rescue her from the horrors 0
her situation, and would, l thought. bu
for the restraining influence of q solem,
promise she had exacted from him, hav
sought with Ross deadly quarrel.
Finally, upon the occasion of publ
meeting one memorable night, Ros
drank as usual to intoxication, and rave
and ragged about the streets with NOR
than his usual frenzy of conduct insult
ing all, threatening all, hraudishing hi