The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-11-11
tiful face. could swear to you, although

tone.
"Jndeed it is not. | am a gentleman.
Besides, l am bound, professionally, to
keep the secrets of my clients"
"Will you not take seat, sir ? " she
said.
took the seat and we entered into con-
versation. told her l was glad to know
that she was lharried to distinguished
lawyer. She bowed, but could not recover
from her embarrassment.
"Do you know my husband ?" she at
last asked me.
Slightly" I replied. "He once in
vited me to call and see him."
care you not coming?"
eyes, if you wish me. Why don't you
ask me- and make me commit myself?
pledge you my word l have no feeling to-
wards you but that of respect. Why don't
you make me commit myself. If I visit
you which l shall gladly do-attend you
to church and other places, how could
dare to say anything against you, and who
would believe me-
"You are shrewd," she said, "and
shall expect you to come"
The lady's conduct was so entirely
proper that could scarcely realize what 1
had known of her in Baltimore. Yet there
her manner and department were ladylike,
and suppose that it was an ungovernable
fit of jealousy and wrath which made her
act as she did. l talked with her almost
| all the evening. Her husband came for
her rather late, making the excuse that he
was detained from witnessing the ceremony
by urgent business with client who had
just come to town to see him. We re-
newed our slight acquaintance, and his wife
! told him that she had invited me to 20
with her to church on Sunday. GAS you
know" she said, "you are always at bust
ness even them"
about the lady, and learned that her con-
duct was in all respects unexceptionable,
and that she was member OF the Episco-
pal church.
On Sunday went to church with her.
When we returned we found that her hus-
band had not yet got back from his Office.
| Taking off her bonnet and shawl she took
| seat, with quiet self respect, beside me
on the sofa, and said" will tell you my
little story"
"Don't,"I replied, "if you feel the
least misgiving. l confess that l should
like to hear it; but curiosity is passion
which is not always either amiable or
proper"
81 am convinced you are true gentle
man," she said. "The man that I lived
with in Baltimore ruined me under PROM
Use of marriage. I loved him wildly
madly. only forgot we were not mar
ried-thatis all. God will pardon me, 1
trust. He left me for another. was in
the hospital for while, insane. l had
some little money, and it occurred to me
one day-oh! the presentiment was so
strong!-to buy ticket in the. lottery. 1
bought it that afternoon, and drew ten
thousand dollars What a wild joy and
thankfulness l had that l was independ-
emit l determined to husband my means
and to leave Baltimore. Then thought
would tell my false lover. Perhaps the
money would bring him back. But this
was only the thought of moment. 1
felt cold chill at my heart against him
in thinking how much he had made me
suffer. changed my name. thought
my new tooth was well put in but your
eye is quick. Invent to New Orleans and
there passed for a widow. My present
husband met there. We boarded in the
same house. You see he is much older
than am. He said it was his resolve to
never marry but he courted me within a
week, staid and solemn man as he is.
Here he is leading lawyer, gentleman
of talent and position; and if | have de-
ceived him in not divulging MY secret, 1
may be pardoned on account of my reso-
luton to lead new life and better one
God will give me strength and grace-he
has given me strength and grace to go
and sin no more. And now feel that
you will be my friend"
My eyes filled with tears at the earnest
ness and eloquence of my fair companion,
and said to her, honestly and sincerely {:
eve will be friends indeed"
Repeatedly after this l visited the city
of this ladys residence, and we always met
on the friendliest and frankest terms She
had no children, and occupied her time in
study, reading, music, and acts of charity.
After while met her in Washington,
her husband occupying leading position
under the new administration, and she
was one of the most admired and courted
ladies IN the capital One day received
an urgent note from her, saying she
wished to see me as soon as possible. ]
called instantly.
"Be sure your sin will find you out. .
said she to me in low tone, as l entered
her parlor and found her seated alone on
the sofa.
"What a changed" l thought. 1t
seemed to me she had grown twenty years
older in day.
"Alas! my betrayer is here" she said
to me in an hysterical manner. "He
came up and spoke to me in the street
this morning How be threatened me
with exposure if did not give him money
My God! how he talked to me in the
| open street! And was so frightened that
could not do or say anything. What
shall l do? Yes, indeed, the way of the
transgressor is hard
My blood fairly boiled against the scoun-
drel "Where is hep" said 1.
Here is bis address. He gave it to
me when l met him. 1t seems be saw me