Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-10-05
the altar to love, honor and obey"

4 y.
| There was no start The passionate ag-
ony other face settled down into calm, ashy
whiteness, as she turned to meet her hus-
band. He stood there with clenched hands
and sneerng lip.
''This is the girl who was all purity and
affection" he went on 'the woman who
was all truth the woman who was all
| honor"
Proceed" size said calmly; you can
not break broken heart"
"Give me the picture, most injured Of
women"
She laid it i'll his hand mechanically.
"Ah the country parson" he sneered
"The young hopeful of the house where |
first saw you, kneading bread and making
cheese"
1t seemed strange to speak of such home
.ly duties to that tall, queenl woman stand
ing there i'll her silks and jewels but they
made no impression on the stony face.
Then his irony changed to hot wrath
"The penniless puppy !" he cried, "the
low deceitful canting parson ! The pale
faced baby! ~ and with one quick move
ment he dashed the locket to the floor, and
ground it under his heel
"lt's like you," was all she said
eyes, madam, it is like me !" he thunder
ed "and let it be like you to exhibit no
more Of this sentimental woe, or you leave
my house forever w
81 can leave it now," she said, calmly.
But that would never do. Charles War
ren was proud of his beautiful wife in the
thronged street and gay saloon, and the
disgrace Of discarded wife must not sully
his naughty name. So Edith settled into
her former stony apathy and stayed, with
no hope in earth or Heaven.
And what of Claude? Many were the
struggles that had deepened the light in the
brown eyes, and whitened the manly cheek
as the weary years rolled by. Sometimes
it seemed as if he must entirely give up.
Was he, into whose heart the rebellious
so often entered, worthy to point out the
path of life to others Was he who could
not root out from his soul the image of an
other mans wife fit to preach of that living
God whose every thought was pure? No
one who listened to the musical voice. who
noted the sweet smile, or gentle manner,
ever dreamed of the many dark hours that
crossed his way of the frequent wrestles
of agony in the quiet closet but through
all the darkness, and toll, and anguish, an
all powerful right hand sustained him
loving Father poured balm on the turbulent
spirit, and out Of every trial he came calm
and purified, nearer the perfect day.
And when the war clarion pealed over
the land, Claude Clay was among the first
to answer the call. Books and sermons
were laid aside, and the musket and KNAPP
sack taken instead with brain and soul
he had toiled for the nation and now when
her rights were trampled under foot, he
would give health, comfort, life if need be,
for her safety: and it would be 50 blessed
to die for the old flag
So he went forth
"With high vows sealed, and sinews
stceled," and away down on the crimson
soil of Maryland, the bullet came. 1t was
a wreck of manhood that lay on the narrow
hospital bed day after day, babbling Of
"home," and mother" and the bright birds,
and buttercups of days gone by
forever At last the mind returned, and
he lay there white, and motionless, so like
DEATH save the Deep earnest look in the
great, brown eyes.
And then came pale, sad-eyed woman
to the bedside, clasping the thin hand with
gentle tenderness.
'EulIu J. WHlSpercu Iuc Wedh IpS.
Edith at last" was the low reply
Il Edith after years Of change and agony :
Edith who is free and who will love you to
the end"
"With this, and this ?" pointing to the
SCARED brow and useless hand.
'Maimed body and scared heart. We
will put them together and form life that |
will be true till the angel calls" was the
answer of perfect love and trust.
And an all-wise Maker overlooked the |
past, and spared the one love Of her bruis-
ed heart No more pains and struggles
now. Hand in hand they go down life's
pathway, with hearts that never falter in
the great love they bear each other with |
souls that would not have been so pure
and lowly, but for the mighty waves of dis
and agony, that deluged them
in the painful past; with eyes fixed on the
pearly gate which they will enter
at last, to dwell forever in that blessed |
home "Where the wicked cease from
and the weary are at rest"