The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-03-22

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: one of whom she was now thinking SO
r sadly.
ooh! Ashley" A sigh quivered on
her lips, and her eyes had strange glim.
! mer in them, as though there were tears
there. "If he only would come back to
tell me that he forgave me; if l only
could see him once more, if he is living,
and ask him to forgive me. | would give
, worlds if it were in my power"
She sat down in the grey dusk and
leaned her head upon the arm of the
velvet covered rocker. Her attitude was
: detected her face expressive of keen
sorrow.
Mrs. Berrian came into the room.
Georgia, are you here ?" she asked,
for the shadows of coming night filed
the room
81 am hers," Georgia answered; did
you want meS?"
ASHLEY Leicester is at home he came
this afternoon" Mrs Berrian said.
ASHLEY at homer'
Georgia rose up in her strong excite
ment, a great joy breaking out over her
, face he was yet alive, and near her.
The thought was full of keenest JOY; a
sweet relief crept into her heart; the
heart that had been purified by the FIRE
of bitter trial.
eyes, so your father told me inst COW.
No one expected him. They say he is
very weak not expected to live but
short time, poor Ashley !" and tears filed
kind Mrs Berrian's eyes
Mother" Georgia said, suddenly, 81
am going there to see him to night, at
once; I wronged him; l drove him away,
mother; [ was the one that was to blame,
and I want him to say that he forgives
me ~
Georgia, you are a noble woman, the
mother said, while tears of motherly
pride filed her eyes; "God bless you
aud Ashley
Georgia's pride had vanished now.
She was woman, q true and noble wo.
man With frmness born of her noble
purpose, she ordered the carriage, and
threw on her cloak of black, edged with
narrow strip of costly fur, and the hood
of soft merino.
She went down the steps and on the
the pavement, she paused one moment to
still the wild beatings OF her heart; then
she entered the carriage, and was driven
rapidly away.
A drive of few moments brought her
to the home of the Leicesters. She
alighted and ran up the steps. She
pulled the belI-rope with a strangely
tremulous hand
Il was holiday among the servants,
and Mrs. Leicester came in answer to the
summons. She started back When she
saw VITO it was that stood there but
Georga did not wait for words of welcome,
but entered the warm hall. 4 colduess
had sprung up between her and the Lei
cesters after Ashley went away for though
they knew nothing Of the real state of
affairs between the two with any degree
of certainty, they suspected that some
thing mad gone wrong.
"Mrs. Leicester, Ashley is here ?"
Georgia said, while al! the time her heart
was longing TO pour itself out in pas
sionate pleadings for forgiveness to him.
Yes he is in the library He is very
weak, His journey home has worn him
out. think it would be better to wait
till tomorrow before you see him, the ex-
citemeDt might prove too great for him in
his present exhausted state"
"Oh, Mrs. Leicester, let me 90 to hin
for just one moment, just long enough
to ask him to forgive ne for the wrong |
did, him-for I wronged him-I acted
shanefuIly toward him, and | have come
to ask forgiveness [ must see him.
If he should die, and without telling me
that he does not hate me--if he should
die before have acknowledged my error!
Oh! Mrs. Leicester, let me GO" she
pleaded
"Oh, Georgia +! don't talk of bis dying
He must live for you aud me-" Mrs.
Leicester cried, and with a burst of tears
she flung her arms alb ut Georgia'a neck.
"He loves you yet, Georgia"
ooh, if be only did," Georgia cried.
"He does; for while be was asleep
saw ribbon attached to something that
he held between his fingers. It was your
picture, Georgia. saw it."
"Oh, Mrs, Leicester if he may be
spared to US, how happy we shall be ~
Georgia said.
God grant he may. Come, I will
show you to the library"
Georgia followed Mrs. Leicester to the
library door.
"Go 10. God bless you both y and
Mrs Leices ter left her.
Ashley Leicester heard the door open
softly, heard the rustic of a woman'8 dress,