The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1866-11-22

lieu. ana with q Ialnt iaugn Tepileu III tue
affirmative, adding there was little dan
ger of her being called on to redeem
the pledge, as brave men were scarce.
Clarence Howard bowed his stately
head and turned away to hide the burn
ing spot her taunt had brought to his
cheek.
Other guests now arrived, and the sub
ject which had for few moments exciteo
them all SO much was apparently FOR
gotten.
The usual hour for tea had passed,
hut the party still waited the return OF
George Barnard He came at last, ana
tl,ev were soon seated around the stump
taous.y furnished table. Then IL was
that Clarence Howard was missed, and
many were the ordinations and surml
ses at his strange disappearance.
In the passage betw cen the parlor and
diuingroom. George had found an oppor-
tntIity TO whisper into his sisters ear
None saw the gasp, the flush that wins
per caused And when Margaret o!i'cIa
ted at the head of the table mistress
of the house, she was herself again
YES more than herself
How brilliant she was that night
Her keen repartees cut here and there
like daegers. The flashes of her wit.
the spa king OF her dark eye, the bnrn
ing of her crimson cheek, fascinated
Wife she surprised her young friends
All knew her lively disposition. She
was ever cheerful, but tonight she was
so CAV, and there was something about
her ringing laugh SO strange, and, oh
how lovely she was
Poor, pale, deformed Laura Brainard
watched Maggie with delightful adniira
ton, and sighed to think that she could
never be like her; for Laura was very
plain and this made her almost worship
her beautiful sister Once she took her
hand in hers as they stood together
Good heavens. Maggie, your hand Is
like ice /
Tie sudden closing Of her sister 5
hands on hers with "a nerveless force that
almost caused the nails to enter the flesh,
warned her to be silent, and caused her
to shrink with pain.
At lenggh the evering was over, the
last GOOD night was spoken, the last
guest departed, and the sisters together
sought their chamber.
Laura gazed on Maggie with astonish
ment, almost with fear, to see her look
so changed Oh, how ghastly how bag
gard she was
matter with YOU z
.Matterg' she repeated-'matter
Enougllis the matter. Oh, God forgive
me, sinful creature that / am )"
why. what have YOU done !!
Done? Oh, Laura. Laura T! 1t Is 4
fearful thing To sport with human lite
Would that | had died ere those wild
words had been spoken and she threw
herself on the bed. buried her face in the
pillows. and weEt until her whole frame
was eonvulsed.
w hat is it all about? / do not IN
derstand You. How have you plsyed
with human life? W hat wild words have
YOU spoken
Margaret looked up az Laura, and
catching her by the arm, almost shrek
ed as she said
Clarence Howard has gone to Auburn
! to enlist. and II goadcd him on to it.
Wretched girl that | am. II he dies,
shall have murdered him. This poor
hand, for which be risks so much, could
never bring him back to life again
WHY, Maggie, yor surrey do not dream
Of such folly as to keep promise given
in such testing manner
/ Not keep il? Yes: tue poor boon he
/ Graves shall not be withheld If Clar-
I VI
| nv reckless offer, he shall have it; when
/ he goes forth to meet the enemy on the
/ battle field. he shall know that his wife,
| Margaret, is praying for him at home.
.But Won do not love him.
Yesterday | thought So too. and l re
iected the offer OF his hand but to light
/ when George told rae that he met him
as lie left the village, and brought me q
/ message from him. the scales fell from
| nv ewes, ani then knew my own heart 5
weakness
We will not linger over tae rest OF
that sad night, but hasten on with our
/ tale.
Clarence Howard returned to Clair
vile in three days after the party at Mr.
/ Brainard's :, and he was dressed in the
| uniform of private in the = Regi-
| ment, y Y. Volunteers. He had enlist
| ed for the love of Margaret Brainard
but he was to generous TOO enforce re
| luctant fulfillment of her pledge. We
knew | er resolution. and it never wav
| cred He was TO leave in one week, and
they were married the day before his
| departure.
There was no wedding display; but
many kind affectionate friends were as
semhled in the old Clairville church to
witness the marriage ceremony, and cor
| daily wish them JOY, and pray for every
blessing to attend the young couple
through life.
The parting of the youthful husband
| and wife was indeed one of heart sad
ness: but each strove for the others sake
| TO hear it bravel Maggie. always no,
| BILE and unselfsh, thought more OF him
than herself. and crushed back the tears
and forced the trembling lips to smile
adieu when he pressed her to his heart
! in silent anguish but the word good
| bye" she could not speak, and she turn
| cd away without word / saw her face
| at that moment-it was like that of 8
| corpse. She went into another room
| for a few moments, but was at the win
dow again, waving her hand TO Clarence
as George touched the whip to the horses
| and they started away.