The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1866-01-31


less, his lips without color. Sometimes he
seemed to writhe as his wife spoke; he
was not so much under the influence Of
drink as she supposed; bu, there came
look IN his face as he lifted il, that blanch-
ed her own still more.
"So-it would give you pleasure. would
il, tn see the last of me -
The candle. light flickered-it was burn
ing down To the frame that supported it.,
and at every expiring effort. a lurid red
ness flashed over the small room over
those two white iaces--oser the innocent
beauty Of a little girl lying in profound
slumber near by.
Henry. wish II had pleased God 10
let me follow you to the graveyard. rather
than TO see yeu the wreck Of what you once
were. Better the death Of the body than
the ruin Of the SOUL"
Well. my lady, IL that's been your wish,
you needn't have been 80 long telling it..
I've been willing any time within the last
five years TO leave. and glad Of the chance.
No wife shall say TO me that when went
over her thrrshhuld for the last time. il
would be happy hour 70. her. wish you
every possible JOY Of year release. madam;
! ain now going out Of your door Tor the
last time"
As he spoke he sprang from the room.
The cold wind stresmed in Tor a brief se-
eond and put the candle-light oat--lhe
chamber was buried in darkness.
Not sound came from the woman's lips,
a. she sat there, Tor a ling time. Then,
when thought had racked her soul beyond
the power of silent endurance, she moaned
aud sebbsd and wept as il her very heart
should break.
Mamma" cried little voice in the
dsrknrss-" are you here, mamma! Is that
yuu cryingi"
Hush. my darling-hush-and sleep /;
Il is very late"
Has papa cOme yeti | want 10 kiss
him."
oh! how that innocent question smote
her heart. She had driven one whom her
little child could still love. still caress with
infantlne tenderness, from his home. For
moment her pulse almost stopped with
horror. as she remembered the cam, steady
way IN which he took leave OF her. She
hurried 10 strike light. Ii shone direct
y upon the portrait of her husband, as he
was nn his marriage day; and clasping her
hands, she stood GREATNESS, scanning those
almost fAsltless linesments. Then fear.
iul thought took possession Of her; "0h !!
| vas too hasly," she cried. al have said
too mrch. aud may have his death to an.
swer for"
Springing 20 the entrance, she flew down
the stairs, unlatched the door, aud stand
ing an the stone step. called the name OF
her husband repeatedly.
"Oh! which way could he have gone :"
she walled, striving to look through the
thick darkness. and feeling the sharp drops
OF fine rain striking against her face.
Out she sped in the stormy night; ran
breathlessly. first 20 one corner, then to
another; but not sound. save the distant
baying Of watch dogs, could she hear. Al
must frantic. she flew up the street, peer
Ing into the dark porches Of the houses.
X was nearly midnight. and she met no
ane un the way. Recalled 10 herself, al
last, BY the wet cllnging Of the garments
around her limbs, and the chill tremors
that shot through her frame. she sobbingly
took her way homewar,l and entered TO End
her little Mary griesing aud calling for IA
ther aud mother.
" But why didn't you bring papai !
want TO Mss papa" cried the child.
My Mary will never kiss papa again,
| lear" murinured the sorrowiui woman,
soothing the child in her arms.
That night Of long intense agony! That
watching Tor the morning When IL came
THAT pale. hsggard face, that looked out
from the window, so :earless-so stony
yet so awfully grief struck!
/ Aviolent fever succeeding prostrated the
mother, and when sho arose from the brink
OF the grave. they dared not tell her till