Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-02-05
JAMES HARPER, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

ment-it was her husband, il was de
liverancel But not was only tn
wind and rain, or the shutters creaking
What an age every minute seemed 4
be. Oh, heavensl the feet moved
Does the thief mean to leave his hiding.
placel No. 1t was only slight, prob
ably involuntary movement, to ease him
self by changing his position. The clocl
strikes-only once, it is the half hour
only-and the clock is too fast, besides!
How much anguish, how many silent
prayers in these trying minutesl She
took up a book Of devotion and tried to
read, but her eyes Would wander from
the page to fix on those heavy shoes.
All at once q thought arose that chilled
her to the very heart. Suppose her
husband should not comel The weather
is stormy, and be has relatives in the
village he went to. Perhaps they have
persuaded him It was unsafe to travel
at night with SO large sum of money
about him; perhaps they have forced
him, with friendly violence, to yield to
their urgent invitations to wait till morn
ing. 1t is striking eight-and nobody
comes. The idea we have alluded TO,
appears to her more and more probable.
After two hours of such agony, the
unhappy lady, whose courage has been
kept up by the hope of final recue, feels
her strength and hope fail her. Soon
she hears a noise under the window,
and listens, doubtfully. This time she
is not mistaken. The heavy outer-door
creaks on its hinges, and shuts with
clamor; well-known step is heard on
the stairs, and q man enters-s tall,
stout man. 1t is he, it is hel At that
moment. fhe had been the worst Of all
husbands, he would have been perfec-
ton in his wife's eyes. He had only ia
ken of his wet cloak and put away
his pistols. and delighted at again see-
ing what he loves most on earth, opens
his arms to embrace his wife. She |
clasps him convulsively, but in a mo-
ment, recovering her self.possession.
puts her finger on his lips. and points
to the two feet peeping out under the
curtain.
II M. Aubry had been wanting in
presence Of mind, he would not have
deserved TO be the husband OF such
woman. He made slight gesture to
show her he understood her. and said
aloud, Excuse me. my dear, / left
he money down stairs. I'll be back
a two minutes" Within that time be
returned. pistol in hand. He looks at
the priming, walks to the alcove. stoops,
and while the forefnger Of his right
hand is on the trigger, with the other
hand, he seizes one of the feet, and
cries iu avoice Of thunder, Surrender.
Or you're dead manp' He drsgs by
he feet into the middle of the room
nan Of most ill-fsvored aspect, crouch
ng low to avoid the pistol which is
leld within an inch Of bis head. He
s searched. and a sharp dagger found
IN him. He confesses that the girl was
nis accomplice, and had told him N.
Aubry would bring large sum home
hat night. Nothing remains now, but
o give them over to the authorities.
Madame Aubry asked her husband to
pardon them, but the voice Of duty is
ouder than that of pity. When NJ.
Aubry heard from his wife all she had
zone through, he could only say, "Who
would have thought you so courage
'usl" but in spite of her courage she
vas attacked that night with violent
lervous fever, and did not get over her
leroism for several days.