Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-12-12

deal it out TO sim,. Of course.
Il expect my wife is somewhere in the
city, said he, 'and Tn anxious to find her.
Can you help me? And after that, | want
more help
What is your name ? was my frst ques-
ton.
Henry Mallows,' said be-
/ was thunderstruck. Taking another
careful look at him, | discovered that his
face and dress evineed every mark of dis
sipation. / could see plainly enough that
he had but just returned from a long alb
sence of that character, having abandoned
his course only till he could in some way re-
cruit hIs pockets, and come back determined
to strip his poor wife OF all she had. To see
the man of whom | had been thinking so
soon-the very calSe of the trouble over
which my unhappy client grieved-rather
startled me, albeit | am somewhat aeeustom-
ed to surprises of this character. | watched
and studied him closely. | could not for
moment keep my eyes off of him.
From his own telling, | became convinced
that he was determined to find his wife
! again, simply to live off of her, or to appro-
pirate her savings if she had any. | at one
time even suggested, that as he had been
absent so long, according to his own confess
ion, she might perhaps have obtained a legal
separation.
He was struck with surprise at the posi-
bility of such thing then declared it could
not be possible, for he knew Mary would
never do such thing, and finally sprang to
his feet with excitement, and said be must
/ find her at once. saw his urgency, and
took advantage of it.
! i can help you, said l.
Can you? he asked, his face lighting
| quickly.
Come here tomorrow afternoon at half
past three O'clock will you? Not moment
before, however. Be punctual at that hour,
and you shall find your interests all an
Swered'
He promised me with much eagerness,
and took his leave.
Meantime, said |, as he was shutting the
door, keep perfectly quiet. Do not make a
single inquiry of any one. | can help you
if any body can
He bowed his thanks and was gone.
A few minutes afterwards | left my office
in search of the residence of the wife She
had given me her street and number, and
had no difficulty in finding her.
i want you to be at my office Tomorrow
afternoon at four o'clock, said | not five
minutes sooner, however,
Yes, sir, she answered, satisfied that /
was looking closely after her interests.
l passed the night more awake than asleep
thinking how | could best secure the object
had in view-how that odious and inhu-
man law could be evaded, that otherwise was
certain to make wreck of this unhappy wo-
mans household The forenoon slipped
away as it always did. After dinner | sat
and waited for half-past three o'clock to
come. was apprised of its arrival by the
opening of the door, AID the entrance of my
man again.
Punctual!' said he.
He looked better than on the previous
day, though could see that he had still
been feeding the fires of dissipation the over
night. led him into back room, leaving
the door ajar, and sat down and began con
versation with him. | saw more plainly
than before that he was determed to get al
his wife had, whatever it might be. Ant
still, from various questions put to him tt
divert his thoughts to other objects, | saw
as plainly that at heart he loved his wife
and noble husband
While we were occupied with nothing bu
these generalties, l Keeping his curiosit,
piqued to learn what might have of impor
tance to communicate, the town clock hare
by struck four. Involuntarily | started il
my chair. At the same moment the doc
opened in the other ROOM | told my maj
to sit still a few moments, and | would b
back again. But in going out, was care
iul to leave the door ajar, that all we said il
the outer office might be overheard.
The poor lady was there, prompt enough
| asked her to be seated, she little thinkin
that the cause of all her trouble was just i
the other room. She waited apparently fo
me to introduce the subject for which | ha
requested her attendance.
L can obtain your bill for you think
said /, In loud tone but if | should te
you that your little savings would be ur
touched without this proceeding, would yo
still insist on carrying it through?
'No-never, sir !; never in the world! ! sh
answered, clasping her hands. 4 woul
not cast Henry away. | love him yet.
always shall love him! He may wrong n
more than he has, but it will make NO dife
ence with my heart. do this only for tn
sake of my dear little gil. She must /
cared for, let who may be the sufferer. Oh
dear Henry, why wouldn't you be to me VIII;
you once was?
This last exclamation was uttered in sue
touching tone, and came so fresh from h
wounded heart, that man must have bee
IcSS lIldIl d tudu "IlO COuIu udRC Dcdlu III vi
moved. In an instant almost, the repel
tant husband, moved by her words Of a.
guish and supplicatien, came running o,
from the inner room and threw his arm
around his wife.-He called on her to forgi'
him His heart was smitten. To find b.
thus true to him through the whole of
treachery, and to hear from her own lips tn
8 she still loved him in spite of his negligenc
cut even him to the ouick of his natura +
could bear it no longer.
They embraced and wept and emhrac
!, each other again. He confessed his guilt
r lie declared that she should thus suffer
longer. She forgave him all, and withdre
: her petition for divorce altogether | ss
item leave my office with jog in company.
: They went home. Since that time he h
been an altered man, and model husbar
: And som times love to think | may ha
had a hand in it all.