Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1864-02-20

Atlast, recollected Of an aunt the only |
near relative [ had living, and | deter
mined 10 60 10 her. But she lived at the
extreme end of the city, and it was a long,
long, walk for weak woman like myself,
and at any other time 1 should have
shrunk from it, But now the bitter thought
in my heart shut ont all others, and my
pride buoyod me up. 1t seems very strange
to me now, how / could have dared to
pass through all those long by-lancs and
alleys, many Of them the homes OF intem.
perance and sin, at such time Of night
alone. But | did not think of this then; and
when, at last, reached the stately dwell.
iug of my aunt, | rank the bell with firm,
steady hand. 1t SO happened that my
aunt had not retired, and it was she who
answered the summons.
"Why, Mabel, isit you :" she asked, as
she saw my pale, tired face by the light
Of the lamp she carried. "Wbat can have
brought you out in such an hour, and
alone too? Is your husband ill?"
MOO God--no!' cried, bitterly.
Come up stairs with me, Mabel. |
am sure something troubles you, Come
and tell me ALL
l took the hand she offered for had be-
gun to grow weak and faint, and she led
me up to her own chamber.
"Now tell mc ALL" she said, MS she
placed me upon the sofa and sat down be-
side me.
And did tell her all. Told her how
had left forever the home which had been
for so short time an Eden to me, Told
her how had left the one who was dcarer
to me than lie, never to go back again.
She listened calmly until she heard me
through
''You have done very wrong in desert
ing him. she then said.
"But he badc me go-he said he hated
me-
"Hc was angry, Mabel, and did not
know VIII be was saying
"I wish I could think so, i said, shak
ing my head sadly "but believe he
spoke truly
"It may be SO, But, Mabel, am sure
he loves you-at least, l know he once
did,
"Yes-but that is all over now," l re-
turned bitterly, "But will never 20
back. He has wronged me, a d he must
atone for it,"
"You are too proud, Mabel. You know
Ernest ST. Orme's nature. You know that
he is quick and nasty, and also ihat he is
proud. if you are ever to be to each 9TH
er what you have been, one Of your proud
hearts must be humblcd. One must aak
forgiynsss oftho other. You are wo.
man, Mabel, and it should be your task to
do so. You have each wrongod the other.
Then why should not you, the weaker
of the two, ask his forgivness, even though
he has double wronged you. and forget al
the past! Believe me, Mabel, you would
never regret it,"
81 would never do so-even though il
should lay him in his grave !" replied
proudly.
IL hope you will think better of This to.
morrow" she said, looking sadly into my
face "Your mind will then be clearer,
and trust you will sec how you are wrong.
ing yourself and your husband. Bnt you
are weary and should retire now. viii
show you to your room
slept little that night, and when went
down the next morning, my proud heart
was az firm as ever.
"You are ready to 60 back to your hus.
band now, are you not !" my aunt asked
when she came down
"Nevcr ~
''Be it SO then," she said, while sad
light shone in her pale, kind face. at
may be for the best, At least, come what
may, you shall ever find a welcome home
here"
For one month I stayed there quietly,
and then there came over Inc an irresisti
bic longing to look upon the place where
| had spent three such happy, blissful
months once more, and, if possible, to see
again that face so dear to me. told my
aunt of my longing, and she bade me 60
1t was the first time 1 had been out dur
ing the whole month | had been there.
had lived so quietly that only one or two
of the trustiest servants knew that l was
under the same roof with themselves.
mith Oh fanlinr ok a.