The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-02-21

And he rose to 60. ''0If.H .t
'Oh my dear husband, please don't 60 Of
again. said she in pleading tones.
"Take your arms from about my neck,
woman, or will strike you.'
No, Harry; you arc but je'ting. You
would not strike me, your own Csrie'
.wouldntI7 Then to convince you, take
that And heavy, brutal blow fell upon
the slsnder form; and with an oath. the man
left tho room. slammins the door after him.
Not sound came from tbs stricken wo-
man. Gen. Lane listened In an agony OF
suspense for the faintest sound to relieve tho
dread he felt lest that heavy blow had killed
the frail, loving wife. Several minutes pass-
Cd. Then he could endure 1t no longer.
Il au old enough to be her father, he So
liloquised. Il will throw inside oil etiquette
and SEQ if she is hurt lie forthwith open.
ed the door and looked within. All! what
q sight met his eyes! Upon the door lay the
stricken wife, pale and motionle's, the blood
tricklins from the rounded arm where 1t had
come in contact with the stove. Lifting the
inanimate form, he laid 1t upon the sofa,
and tears-that were no shame to his man
hood-fell upon the pale young face. hs
bathed her face with water, and soon, to his
great Joy, the large, dreamy eyes opened and
rested upon him. She looked at him as tho
bewildercd then, In moment, recollection
returned, and flush Of shame dyed her fair
face. In answer to the questioning look in
her eyes, ho said:
MY room joins yours. madam. 1 knew
you were alone; and hearing no sound after
your fall, feared you might be very much
hurt, therefore took the liberty Of coming
in. Do not mind me. am IN old man
old enough to be your father. l will ring
for the chamber.maid to assist you, and then
leave you
20, no! I can do very we'll. Iwould not
have her come aud sec mo In full dinner
dress ut this hour. and seo this blood, too
Trying to rise, she fell back family, and
tears pressed through the closed lashes,
Il am deeply indebted to you, already
Gen. Lane; and, IL you will assist me into
my bedroom, can then manage alone
Tcnderly tho noble man supported tho
slight form into the adjoining room. Az hc
turned to leave, sho said:
General, you will keep this dreary scene
secret, will you not? l should die with
modification to have Il known throughout
the house.
Il will never speak Of It, madam; but I
would advise you to inform your brother.
and hayo him remove you from under Mr..
Leeds control. Excuse my bluntncss, mad
am It is meant in kindness. My heart
aches for you, and cannot but speak plain.
ly. Good night, madam
Next day the sweet face was very pale,
and the eyes heavy; but that was the only
trace Of last nights conflict. The wounded
arm was covered up from the brothers sight,
and he never dreamed Oh n's on,y ''''e'
suiierings. Mr' Leeds dlu no' fe'ui" '"a'
day. The brother ana sister spent 'no e'''
ming alone-he reading alone WINE S"e sow
cd. 1t seemed almost ike '"o P''A'a"' wv
nings ut their own dear home, and some-
thing very nearly aPproaea'as !" ' ,s
fingered ABOUT 'no hls VI 'aA' '"A'V'' "''
Ten o'clock camc' anu no marry "'" 0''''
en-twei'c-0ne' 40
1t is strange what keeps Harry. Is he in
the habit Of staying out 30 late, Carrier
Before tho sister could reply, there was
the tramp of many feet upon the stairs and
in another moment knock at the door. On
opening it, four men entered, bearing rude
litter, on which lay the body Of Harry Leeds.
Drunk, exclaimed lIr. Sloan, his suspi.
cions for the first timo giving themselves
vent.
No; dead, SIR answered tho man; 'he
was killed in drunken brawl.'
The wrctched wife sank to the floor In
deadly swoou, while the brother shed manly
tears over the wreck Of what once wasa good
man-the loved friend Of his early years. OF
the sad burial, and tho bcreaved woman's
grief. we need not speak. She had loved
ds.d Iand