The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-01-16
CHAPTER III.


We must now phss over an interval of twelve
months, and we find Mr.. and Mrs. Ripley settled in
luxurious home in the ncighborhood of London.
Money works wonders No sooner was it known
that Charles Ripley had acquired 100000 by his
marriage, than those who had been most severe in
condemning his past errors, showed every disposi-
tion TO cultivate the most friendly intercourse with
him. Ills was nature which exhibited its most
favorable characteristics under the influence Of
prosperity. The affection or his wife and the COM
fort of respectable position, served to render him
a very different person to what he had formerly
been. The outward decorum of his life was un-
questionable; not breath of slander could be
raised against him.
But was he happy? Could he quite forget the
loving, trusting girl whom he had 50 cruelty for
saken? Not quite. There were moments when the
thoughts of Ellen affected him most painfully, and
often did her pale, pensive face rise up before him,
and cause him TO shuddcr involunarily in the
midst Of mirtA aud 9ler.
To quiet his conscience, he had, shortly after his
marriage, addressed letter to Ellen, dated from
coil6e-house, inciosng a Gfty-pound note, and IN
founng her that peculiar circumstances prevented
the continuance Of their intimacy. This letter was
returned from the Dead Letter Office and Charles
solaced himself by rejecting that he had done all
in his power to make amends for his pcrfdy.
Thus far he seemed to have pros1ared in his
course of dupicW, But retrbutivc justice was
about to strike a sure and deadly blow.
Charles" snid Mrs. Ripley, as they satat break
fast enc mornings about year after their mar
riaga, 81 heard YESTERDAY Of very dear friend of
mine, who is now confined in lunatic asylum.
am very anxious to see her, but do not like going
alone. VIII you accompany me ?"
A ready assent was immediately given by her
husband. Little did he imagine what results that
visit would produce.
Ellen Leslie and Caroline Parker was educated at
the same school, and very sincere friendship had
existed between them.
OF this Charles knew nothing. Yet no sooner
did he take his place in the carriage which was to
convey them TO the asylum, than strange and un-
defined presentimont of evil came over him.
His apprchensions were not altogether ground
less, seemingly trivial circumstance was about
to bring his cruel rcachery TO light and overwhelm
him with shame and remorse.
The purse, containing tho two hundred pounds he
had carelessly flung some months ago into draw
er in which were other things, was discovered by
Mira Ripley only that very morning, just she
was about to 20 out. AS she meant to take larg-
cr sum of money than usual, she was glad to find a
purse so adapted for that purpose, She intended
of course to mention the circumstance to her hus-
band, but in the hurry of departure il escaped her
recollection.
II may, perhaps, be asked why Charles had not
destroyed the purse We cannot auswert the ,lues-
ten. Instances are continually occurring in which
far deeper laid schemes than his defeated and
exposed through want Of caution in some minute
particular.
Few words were exchanged the way. Mrs.
Ripley painfully agitated at the prospect Of
meeting her friend under such altered circumstan-
ces, whilst her husband, though fiom different
cause was still less at ease
On arriving at the asylum they were shown into
the ordinary visiting room, which happened TO be
empty. Mrs Ripley seated herself and Charles,
oppressed with gloomy forebodings, gazed out of
the window
What fearful places are asylums for the insane
What tales Of bitter suffering and heart rendiDg
anguish might we learn in theml How many
bright hopes and brilliant anticipatons are there
obscured by the most baneful Of all malades And,
alas how many victims Of human cruelty and in
justice arc to be found within those abodes OF wreck.
ed intellect
Who knows but some sueh thoughts as these
passed through the mind Of Charles Ripley at this
most eyentful moment Of life? Perhaps the
scourges of remorse were beginning already sting
him.
But his reverie was soon cut short. The door
opened, and oh the bitterest thoughts were prefer
able TO the sight he theE beheld! There stood the
deeply injured Ellen Leslie, pale as spectre, and
worn almost 10 skin and bone. The recognition
was mutual and II was wen thar it produced