The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1860-03-15
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the ease and liberty | coveted were ua-
disturbed, I was not safls6ed;h Solitude
grew irksome, and study ceased to charm.
Itried cid pleasures, but they had lost
theit zesi i,-4renewed old frienhslips, bat
they weaued mesa Il forgot Agnes. and
ceased to think her fairas looked ut EE
fie, ard sighed foT my lest youth vissas-
re Myliitle wife grew very beautiful to
me, for she was blooming fast into era.
cious womanheod. felt secret pride
in knowing she was mine, aud watched
her as | fancied fond brother might,
glad that she was so good, SO fair so much
beloved. ceased to mourn the play.
thing [ had lost, and something akin TO
reverence mingled with the deepening
admiration of the man. SIS ~
Gay guests had filed the house witl,
festal light and sound ono winter snight,
and when the last bright feare had van
ishcd from the threshold of the door, 1
still stood there, looking over the snow
shroudad lawn, hoping to coolthe fever
of my blood, and ease the restless pain
that haunted NE.
shut out the keen air'and wintry sky
at length, and silently ascended tos the
deserted looms above. But in the soft
gloom of yestibue my steps were stay
ed. Two figures, in fowery alcoye fx-
ed my eye. The light streamed full up
on them, and the fragrant stiffness Of
the air was hardly stirred BY their low
tones.
Efie was there, sunk on low couch,
her face bowed upon her hands; and at
her side, speaking with impas.ioned
voice and ardent eyes, leaned AifreI
Vaughan. s e4 .s
The sight struck me like q blow, AMI
the sharp anguish Of that moment proved
how deeply had learned to love.
''Elhe, 1t is sinful tie that binds you
to that man he does not love you, and
it Should DO broken.-- for this slavery
will wear away the life now grown SO dear
- me" a.. f- s
The words, hot withindignant passion,
s,no,c ME ikea wintry blast, but not so
coldly as the broken voice that answered
them:- sl .-a a.ae. @Z
"Hc said death alone must part us
two, ana, remembering that, cannot lis
ten to another love" ar ~ a
Like guilty ghost stole away, and
in the darkness of my solitary room
struggled with Dy bitter grief, my new
born love. never blamed my wife,
that wife who had heard the tender name
so seldom; she could scarce feel it-hers.
[ had fetteIed her free heart, forge tting
il would one day cease to be childs. 1
bade her look upon me as father; she
had learned the lesson well and now
what right had to reproach her for lis.
tening to lovers voice, when her hus-
bands was SO cold :? What mattcred it
that slowly, almost unconciously, | had
learned to love her with the passion of "a
youth, the power ola man? had alien
atcd that fond nature from my own, and
now it was too late. rf
Heaven only knows the bitterness Of
that hour 81 cannot tell it. But thro'
the darkness of my anguish and remorse
that newl " kindled love burned like
blessed fire, and, while it tortured, puri-
fed. BY its light saw the error of my
life; self-loye was written on the actions
Of the past, md knew that my punish
nent was very just. With child's re-
pcntant tears, | confessed it to my Fa-
ther, and lie soiaced me, showed me
the path to tread, and made me nobler
for the blcssedness and pain of that still
hour. IS ID Ff ~ ss
Dawn found me an altered man for in
natures like mice the raip of a great sor-
row melts the ice of years, and their hid
den strength blooms in late harvest of
patience, self denial, and humility. | re-
solved to break the tie which bound poor
Effie to a joyleSs tate and gratitude for =
selfish deed, which bore the guise of char
ity, should no longer MAR her peace I
would atone for the wrong | had done
her, the suffering she had endured aud
she should never know that -lad guess
ed her tender secret. nor learn the love
which made my sacrifice SO bitter, yet SO
just. ee-t e.f g.a as1 w91t bu
Alfred came no more and as watch
ed. the growing pallor of her cheek, her.
patient efforts to be cheerful and serene,
| honored that meek creature for her con-
stapcy to what she deemed the duty Of
her life III s.F f rsa..f4rs se#s
i did not tell her my resolve at once,
for could not give her up so soon. .Is
was weak delay, but had not learned
the beauty, ola perfect selfforgctfulness;
and though clungto my purpose stead
fastly, my heart still cherished des-
perate hope that | might be spared this
loss. f.
In the midst of this secret conflict.
there came letter from old Adam Lynd.-