The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-10-19
OFFICE IN HOoPER's BRICK B

o tall, graceful lady rushed wildly FORTH
Ills palled face grow moro deathly still, a
no recognized the aGtatsd countenance o
Mn. Dayton. .s.F
ut is you. then. Mr.. Phillipsi' cried she
almost incoherently. Tell inc, then, If 1t b.
true, this fearful rumor they have Whispered
through the town Havo you dared to rails
your hand against my husbands life Bu
where is he? lie is not with you. o, toll
mo he Is safe2'
Such hollow groan for areply. II seemed
to shake the lcartstrings Of the man, as he
strobe by, and tottered up the stairs TO hi,
own apartment. His wife advanced TO meet
him, very pale but with herown sweet serene
smile, he caught her hand, and his white,
dry lips moved, without an articulato sound,
and then with mighty effort no conquered
che faintness that oppressed him, and said In
O sharp, excited voice:
MARY, Mary, my pure, good wife, l took
YOU from your happy home TO be the angel
Of nv life, to warn mo from evil, and keep
me from sin, and SEQ what l have done !
have disrcgarded your warnings, and refused
to listen to your gentle pledaings. have
ruined myself, disgraced the name our boy
must bear, and wrecked your happiness for
eyor. o, Mary, Mary, | SEQ It now. You
were right, and was wretch to oppose my
sinful reasoning to your purer instinct, but
il is two late. have fought duel, and
stamped upon my soul the brand Of CAIN
Sweet and holy was the shining light oil
those blue eyes, as tho wife folded hor arms
around his neck.
This is sorrowful commencement, my
own husband, and yet IL your conscience Is
clear, we can bear II cheerfully. You know
what you have always said that 1t was the
only course man could pursue, and no
would have no cause for rcmorso, however 1t
might result
flush, hush, Mary, you will drive me
franticif you repeat the cowardly arguments
used. They were falsc-falso rs the honor
dared to prato about. What do they avail
mo now, when he who formed the pride and
Joy of 80 many loving hearts, n noble orna.
ment to his native state, and staunch pill.
lar in his country's cause, lies cold and life
less in tho shroud, my hand bodewcd with
the life blood OF his generous hearth What
was sho doing here, that poor young. thing
my wicked deed has widowed? How bright
and radiant sho shone, amidst the crowd at
the last leyee, and is II my work, that this
terrible doom has como upon her2 o, Ma
~, in heavens name, tell mo Ihavc not donc
this wicked decd!'
He turned his wild, haggard face implor.
ingly to hers, which palcd and flushed, and
palcd again, and then seemed to him to
kindlo with something Of the celestial glory
bc bad dreamed about, in angel visions In
stinctivcly no held his breath as she advanc-
cd, and caught his hand in hers. =,
Walter, Walter, you confess II now-all
tho sin and wickodncss of duelling! Tell
me again that you do, 30 that shall be sure
you forgive my daring stratagem.'
She paused, arrested by q sudden hurrying
on the stairs without. quick. light foot
step, followed by heavier tread, aud immo-
'tiiately the opening door disclosed the tear
drenched face of Mrs. Dayton.
May he como in p whispered she, anxious
ly. Il cannot bear It. Io is so utterly
wrctched It will break my heart to keep him
80 moment longer
Mary Phillips voice was thrilling in It's
solemnity, Us she turned to her husband who
had stood in spccchless dismay ut sight Of
tho intruder.
20, Walter, Walter Phillips, vain anduso-
less have bccn my earnest, heartfelt petitions,
rs well rs our pastors righteous rcmon.
STRANGE and rcbukc. You were obduratc and
firm, yet rec how this ono hour Of seeming
reality has scattered to tho winds your false
and fiimsy creed. Thank God that from this
day you sec the character of duellist in Its
true light. NY husband, my Walter, for
giyo your wifo that she had dared to circum-
vent your plans, and forced you to become
o, God DO thanked, no duellist, no murderer
but true Christian man, who shall con-
Tess from his inmost heart, shat vengeance
Belongs t1 the Lord, and lio alono shall re-
Iay. See, Walter, here is your reward
She uncloscd the door, caught the hand of
tho pallld, sorrowful man who leaned with
out, scarcely daring to Lift his eyes to hers,
and led him joyfully forward. What sud-
den starts! What vehement words! Ay,
and what binding tears Of Thanksgiving and
gratitude, falling over manly checks, rs the
rival senator's, tho whilom opponents, in
mortal quarrel, grasped hands, instead Of
deadly weapons, in a clasp, whose friendli-
ness and brothcrly lovo death only in future
could chill or alienato.
Mary Phillips, meanwhile, had stolen
away, and quietly returned with the waiting
friends, tho anxious seconds, who came in,
hesitating and doubtful as to the result Of
the ruse they deemed so unpardonable: Ess-
ily wero they rcassurcd at the first glimpse
OF those frightened faces.
And are you sure, Phillips, you quito for
give me for removing the balls, and cheating
you into supposingpoor Dayton finished upF
asked Mr.. s., once moro, after tho agita-
ted explanations had been required and CIV
en-. You know how irresistible that little
wife Of yours can be. Hang me II believe
I could ever get up a duel Of my own after
those solemn words Of hers!'
Senator Phillips turned where his wife
was bending over her boy, to hide the reliev-
ing tears excitement had hitherto forbidden
to flow, and said, as well rs his tremulous
voice Of thrilling tenderness would allow:
MY wife, to you We owe this joyful tor
mination Of what seemed so terrible trage-
dy. No words can thank you now, yet be
sure your gcntlo influence can never fail
again. We will trust that other husbands
arc moro easily convinced Of their sinful sem
timents, if not, pray heaven that they may
be saved, like me, by such wife and such