The mountain Democrat., 1863-12-12

0Afeu the lace. ne 00eArVen thae the SAsSA-
ner Of her death had neither blackened
nor distorted It for the frst tine he was
aware Of her identity with one he had
seen walk the world In maiden pride; OF
had be felt inclined to ask the young
things name. He knew it D0W-And half
forgetting bis art, sighed forth;
Had she been as good Is she was fair,
this is not breast which could iacer.
atel'
lie turned away 10 make some prepAra-
tiop for his horrid work, When = he@S1
sigh, which seemed to bear on its breath
the word, Mercy 7 recalled him to the
side Of Caroline be seized her wrist-a
feeble, HutteriDg pulse vibrated thrilingly
to his touch.
She opened her eyes, gazed upon him,
saw the surgeon, and all bis accompany.
ing horrors. She sprang from the board
and threw herself at his feet, her own dis
array affected her not. the feelings of this
world she believed had passed forever; but
in the most earnest accents she articu-
lated:
Il know not whether I am in the pres
ence Of God or a devil, but l am inno-
cent =
Innocent repeated Ebreson, in his
sepulchrai voice.
Yes she replied, wringing her hands,
in pity torture me not or say that this
dismal place is but purgatory-thatI do
deserve, for l did carry knife about me,
that might put an end to my own life,
rather than be bis; but of the crime for
which suffered he knows me guiltless I;
and thou, terrible being cans't read in
my soul that | speak the truth. Ohl-
thou look st just this will not last eter.
nally. Spare, save me and will wor-
ship thee!
Such an appeal, in such circumstances,
and under such a delusion, could not for
a moment be doubted. EbresOn. in q
transport Of gratitude, poured over that
dear bruised throat the vinegar which he
kept at hand, as disinfector, weeping
forth:
lie calm, my child and fear me not
you are with a fellow creature who be-
lieves, and will protect you. This earth,
and the life so miraculously preserved,
SudIl lCl Dt eHueHTeu 10 you.
Instantly screening her limbs from the
chill air, he led her TO his own room, con-
signed her to bed, and brought her food
and wine, while his servant slept, and
would have left her to rest, but that her
state still bordered OH delirium; SO he sat
all night, like an elder brother, beside her.
But now, what was to be done? To an
nounce her existence to the world, cruelty
as it had used her, and branded as was
her lowly name, might but provoke fresh
prosecution she had no power to prove
the crimes Of Gortz; her new benefactor's
bare assertion of her innocence would not
have impressed others with like convic.
ton; for Ebreson was, as vet, an obscure
and needy man. The only course left for
her was to fly, call herself something else,
and, in distant part Of the country, live
in retirement; but how could she gain
living, while unable to mix with her kind.
EbreSon resolved never to abandon her !;
he could toll for them both. He would
trust no one with bis secret; Caroline, he
thought, would no longer be exclusively
his, it he shared the knowledge of her life
with his dearest friend. He had one broth
er in the place, Catholic cure. Locking
up his treasure, he stole out ere dawn.
awakened this holy man, borrowed ell his
money by telling him that debts and some
quarrel, consequent on hasty marriage,
forced him TO change his name and resi-
dence.
The priest charged himself with for.
warding all goods Ebreson then hired a
swift conveyance, babe Caroline array
herself in his attire, packed up his books.
instruments, wardrobe, and started.
When his servant rose, the cure was
ready to account for everything. Ebre-
son found in his poor Caroline such intel
lect and virtue that he married her. The
good cure settled with them, and they
knew not what had become of Gortz, save
that he had left the theatre of his great
wickedness.
One night Frere Basil entered their
abode with face Of dismay.
Brother, he said, 4 came from shock.
ing sight-the death bed of . despairing
sinner. was called 10 to administer the
consultations Of religion to an aged man,
who has not long resided here. He will
have no physician, though the people
about him think he cannot see another
sunrise; yet poverty is not the sole cause
of his rcckleSSnesS. He refused the SO.
crament, calling himself unworthy of it
so FASTENED to secure your charitable
aid
What is this unhappy patients name:'
asked the wife.
'Gortz, sister
Now, all gentle saints be praised = she
cried. NO questions, brother; our neigh
Dor, the notary, must accompany US all.
Pray heaven we are not too late 7
This party accordingly hurried on to
the wretched abode of the dying man.
As they entered his chamber they heard
him rave:
Talk not to me Of sealed confessions
the whole world gaped on her degrada-
ton, and have wandered for twenty
years, like the accursed, undying Israel.
lite; still no rest from that thought. ] can
give ye nothing, mercenaries! Ifye find
any gold, bury it at the gallOws's foot, or
lay it out in masses-but nol-DO hopes
of pardon for thy murderer, innocent
Linar ,s
Caroline drew aside his curtain. At
first he stared without recognition. When
she called him by name, believing that he
beheId her spirit, he cOweringly hid his
face, but she, removing his hand from his
eyes, whispered .--.-
Peter Gortz take courage! l bring
you peace and pardon. You are no mur.
derer. The queen of heaven enabled her
servant wondrously to save me from death
and you from despair. lam a happy wife
and mother. Yonder is my husband,
come to serve you If be can.'
The moment Gortz was assured Of her
life. he started I'D, and--retributive jus.