Charles City intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa) 1864-1866, 1865-11-02

the nearest vehicle, Aunt Helen took
time 10 think of Maude. By this time
all the others were collected round the
still form taken from the boat, trying
to restore animation. 1t was almost
a hopeless task for some time, but be-
fore Maude came with Aunt Helen's
arm supporting her, to look upon her
work, the dark eyes had Enclosed and
Horace was breathing, family but reg
ularly.
Rodney was unwearying. Every
suggestion of value came from his
lips. and when at last the little spring
wagon of neighboring farmer drove
no. it was Rodney who lifted Horace
from the grass, and pillowing his head
upon his breast took his place in the
wagon and prepared to be his nurse
on the homeward drive.
The others mounted, and in few
moments every one was gone from the
scene of the mornings pleasure, and
the dangerous excitement. Mande
dashed homeward at her horses fullest
speed. Passing the wagon in her
headlong career she refined up one mo-
ment for Rodney's assurance that Hor-
ace was no worse, promising, in hus-
XIV voice, to have all in readiness for
them on their arrival, she dashed for
ward again.
II was nightfall before she spoke
again to Rodney. The surgeon had
paid his visit, the invalid was ordered
to perfect quiet. Aunt HELEN had in
stalled herself nurse, and Maude was
wandering miserably about the house,
-hmorseful and terrified, dreading eve-
a., sound from the sick room, and try
ing vainly to calm her thoughts to
pray.
Turning in rapid walk up and
down the long parlors, she found her
self face to face with Rodney. Pale as
ashes, with every feature forced into
stern, rigid composure, he stood before
her. Maude," he said, in low tone
al am here to say farewell /"
She gave q gasping cry, but coult
not speak.
When you pray tonight, he contin
ued, THANK God that you are not .
murderess. That man will live. liv,
to take my promised place by your side
live to win the love you never gave
me, but held always ready for him
He has earned the right now to claim
it, and from my heart, trust he may
make you happy"
Still speecbless, she raised to hin
her pale, imploring face, the dark eyes
praying him for pity in her hour o
remorseful agony. The look cut his
heart like a sword. He caught her il
his arms for one moment, while pas
sionate cry burst from his lips" God
forgive you God bless you I Maude,
my Maude, and then the lovely head
dropped low, and Maude forgot her
pain in long. long fainting fit. When
she recovered he was gone
Days Of anxiety followed, for fever
set in from Horace's long immersion
in the water, and the slow, tedious
drive in his wet clothing, and his life
was in hourly danger. Aunt Heller
had kept Maude away from the SICK
room, for she knew she had heavy
troubles to bear. Rodney had written
to Mr.. Hilton, and withdrawn from the
firm, and the old man seemed to have
turned all his love from Maude to the
wanderer. Hourly reproaches were
added to her anxiety about Horace,
and Rodney's parting words were {
new misery. Was she then bound Il
Horace by this dreadful tie of risk ant
peril incurred for her sake. All his
selfish follies, his scoffing at religion
his empty batteries came to her mem
DRY with sickening distinctness, and
with them came the contrast in The
heart she bad thrown aside.
Three long, weary days passed
when one day Aunt Helen came t.
seek Maude in her own room.
"Maude," she said gently, Hor
ace Elliot wants to see you alone.
will remain within call in case you
need anything, for-for"-
"He is dying Z" .s
"The doctor had advised him tn
wind up his worldly affairs, but says
even now he moy recover"
Must got"
al think you must. God help
YOU, my child /" and with this prayer
aud warm, sympathizing kiss, Maude
went to the sick room.
Pale and very feeble, propped mp
with pillows, and breathing with diff
Guilty, Horace looked but little like the
gay cavalier Of few days previous,
yet ia the dark eyes was new light
and over the pallid lips lowered a
faint smile With slow steps Mande
came to his side.
81 have sent for you,' he said, in a
faint voice, to implore your forgive.
ness I"
"Oh, DON'T" she cried, in voice OF
agony, forgive me. ! have murder.
ed you!n
NO. he said gently, Il shall not
die. But have been very near death
for three days, and shall rise from
here a penitcnt, humble man. Maude
Hilton, / have had in my heart for you
lifetime of misery by the act that
places me here, implore you to for
give me ] am married man
She reeled back, sick with horror.
Privately married two years age
to |. loving girl, who is patiently wait
ing my return to her. My poverty
made me wicked, and your wealth and
beauty tempted me on, till was
ready to deceive you, gain possession
Z Of your wealth by . second marriage
and then hardly know what my
future plans were. Can you forgive
me?"
! She was silent q moment then ti,G
tiue woman.nature flashed out from
the crusts of vanity, and the misery o.
her remorse. "Will you let me SEND
for your wife 2"
He bowed assent.
If she loves you, her place is here
Horace Elliot, forgiveness is scarcely
a word between us two may W.
both prove our penitence ; and-youl
wife-is my sister when she comes