The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-10-19
ing eyes, and the beautiful southerner cried,

shiveringly:
Hush, hush, Mrs. Phillips, you arc say.
Ing such terrible things you frighten me
'Ay, but the reality will be more terrible
still. Ms. Dayton friend, sister, you will,
now is the time for US to act as becomes true
wives and Christian women, would we avert
the threatening cloud Of agony and shame.
What can / do?' asked the stately wo.
man, helplessly, no longer striving to conceal
her terror and distress, and turning appeal
ingly to the slight, girlish form beside her,
whose undimmcd, serious eyes were liked,
like somo poor cast-away's at sea, upon some
distant speck Of hope, shining out OF the
distant horizon, scarcely certain enough Tor
cheer, and yet not vague enough Tor des.
pondency.
Let me tell you tho wild hopo that has
flashed upon me. With Heavens help, Mrs.
Dayton, VIC may yet frustrate this wretched
duel, and accomplish greater blessing yet,
open the eyes sof those we love to tho fearful
sin and wrong they have contemplated
She held out her hand, as she ceased, and
| IL was warmly clasped. Thus more like de-
voted sisters than the rival wives who had
entered the little cloak room where this con-
yersation had been held, in pride and cold
ness, they passed out, to mingle again with
the crowd, and avoid suspicion Of their
knowledge of the coming meeting, rumors Of
which were already circulating in anxious
whispers through the rooms.
At an unusually early hour on the morn
ing Of the day after the lcyee,a hack stopped
before one Of the private dwellings in fash.
ionable street, and two ladies, closely veiled,
and wrapped in a large gray shawls, descen-
ded hastily, and requested a private interview
with the master Of tho mansion, an inluen-
tial citizen, and q warm friend Of Senator
Phillips.
His start ofsurprisc and perpleIity. when
the wells were raised, and disclosed those
pale rarely beautiful countenances, deepsned
into sorrowful dismay when their errand was
unfolded.
Full two hours Of the precious timo that
was flecting 30 rapidly away, was spent in
argument, remonstrance and fearful plead
ing. and still the stubborn heart Of Mr.. s.
was unmoved, and his iron will unyielding,
but when he led them down the steps to the
carriage, the little hand Of tho last slight
Squire he assisted in was carried rcvcrentally
20 his lips, while he repeated earnestly,
Sod bless you, Mrs. Phillips, for tho true
hearted woman that you are I! You have
succeeded. where no other could have dream
ed Of moving me. You have my promise.
Even though I loso my friend thereby, l will
do a. you propose
A grateful glance from theswimming blue
eyes, a feeble attempt ut thanks from tho
quiyering lips, and the carriage turned away,
10 draw up again ut another door, where the
second Of Mr.. Dayton resided during his stay
10 town. II required less persuasion here.
Whatever man Of Mr.. SIS well known
integrity would consent TO-, would be right
and proper for Mr.. W, although he ad-
lied. as he shook his head dubiously:
Il am sadly afraid. ladies, your husbands
would scarcely forgive MS for making such q
farce Of this event.
Never fear. Mr.. W. replied Mrs.
Philips, gravely, .but actors in real liic will
thankfully exchange tragedy for the most
trivial comedy. But Heaven knows, il is all
serious and thrilling still. Only lot nothing
deter you from fulfilling your sacred prom
isc.'
And now the youthful wives were at liber-
ty to return home and wait tho approach OF
the dreaded hour. What an embrace was
that with which they parted, who so brief u
time before had barely exchanged the coolest
ciyilities! What thrilling kiss, and lnger-
ing clasp Of hands, and what true feeling
lent its pathos to Mrs. Dayton syoicc, as she
whispered warmly:
.Pray for us both, Mrs. Phillips, and pray
that the heart of the proud woman you have
stirred to better feelings, may never loseyour
gentle influence
That evening as Senator Phillips uncloscd
the door of his private parlor, a radiant fs-
ure came flying towards him, and two soft
hands imprisoned his tendcrly, while the
sweet bsaming face was upturned sportively
for the customary kiss. Ii was given fer
,cntly, and a stillcd sigh came with it.
'God bless you, my own little wifo"
Yes, Walter, bless me by blessing you.-l
You know that is my constant prayer. And
surely it Is generously granted US. We have
health, prosperity, and domestic harmony.
Do YOU know, have been pondering oil the
day, how little realized my own qappiness,
with your love my constant shield from
harm. Once came the terrible thought that
l might lose you. o, Walter. | dared not
look at il moment, the very faintcst glimpse
sent such shivering despair to my heart.
O, my Walter, what precious care you must
take of yourself, for Charles sake, and mine.
Poor wee fellow, there he lies asleep on the
sofa. lie tried No hard to keep awake to say |
goodnight to .dear papa, but even while he
was babblipg about what he should tell you,
down fell the little, heavy eye-lids, and Nor
phous has locked them securely now
She led him TO the sofa, where handsome,
rosy boy of three summers lay curled up like
a playful kitten, the round, rosy arms thrown
up around the nobly formed head, crushing |
down thick cluster Of moist tangled curls.
Still holding her husbands hand and thus
compelling him to remain there. she remain
ed some time, thoughtfally gazing down at
the pretty slumbercr. l.
The brow Of Senator Phillips grew dark
with some swiftly gathering cloud, and there
was q fixed, white look about his lips, that
betrayed some powerful but sternly controlled
emotion. All, what n pang struck homo to
the heart of that proud, strong man, as no
stood speechless in that Eden Of peace and
love. Ho turned away abruptly. He could
not bear the sight Of his wife and child ,thos,
precious beings whose earthly hopes his own
hand might dash away forever, that very
morrow. For what? Ah. Senator Phillips,
"a shallow reason said conscience, plainly,
when YOU dared to speak Of yindicating hon.
or, and escaping the brand Of ignominy.--l
Well might your heart sink, icaden weight
within the coward breast that dared not say
boldly, MY brother, l have sinned Your
life and mine are the Creators only, TO save
or to destroy, rs sscmcth best. Forgive and
bc forgiven
No word or look Of Mary Phillips betrayed
her knowledge Of her husbands agitation:
and his own emotion required too powerful
control for him to detect the nervous tremo-
ling of the hand he held 50 fondly,, or the
wistful glance that followed him. when he
,,,.,,I go 20 hide some sudden spasm,