Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1868-01-09

s H M v
1t was quite dark whom Martin, slightl,
flushed with the good liquor he had imbib
ed, ratified up to the door of his own dwell
ing. There were lights in many ofthe win
dows, and bright fire in the slecping-room
which the chilliness of the evening rendered
veey acceptable.
"Welcome home !" he said, as he lifted
Lucy out of the vehicle, SIN glad enough
to get you here; for thought Martha, in hei
good nature, meant to keep us there al
night, and you looked tired to death, Come
in
Officious hands were leading the horse
away, and the front door was thrown open
tby gayly dressed female, who courtesied
lowly to the newly welded couple.
Martins face grew purple with passion.
"You here still? What you have
dared!" His hand was raised to strike her,
but his brides cry Of alarm checked the i'm
pulse.
With mockery of respect the woman,
who had evidently been drinking, deeply
courtesied again.
"I'm truly sorry, sir, to disobey your or
ders, but couldn't leave till my work was
finished I'm an old servant, Miss Lucy
Pearson,-I beg pardon; Mrs Martin, l
ought to say,-Im an old servant, and the
masters sick of seeing me about, and told
me to go. But couldn't leave till I'd seen
the bride and wished her joy of her hus-
band"
The taunting tone CALLED Martin beyond
endurance. With a terrible imprecation he
sprang forward, and seizing her by the
shoulders was about to thrust her from the
door, but she clung to him.
''Not to night! for Gods sake, don't! /
have not place to lay my head in. Let
me stay till the morning, and then swear
to you that I'll go without any more trou-
ble."
"Not an hour, not minute !" he vocife-
rated, shaking her off.
She Iose sullenly.
"My shawl is in the kitchen. l suppose
may fetch that?"
He nodded, and led Lucy away. She
leaned heavily upon his arm, and when he
had seated her in the armchair her head
dropped back. She was faint with terror;
but before his clumsy fingers had united her
bonnet, the sensation passed off, though she
shook from head to foot, as if seized with
ague.
Filled with remorse, Martin leaned over
her until she made an effort to say that she
was better; that if he would leave her for
few minutes she would be well again. But
he drew chair beside her, and sat toying
with the ring he had placed on her tiuger.
Lucyl" so changed was the voice that
she hardly knew it, "Lucy, I've done a
wrong thing in marrying you, but ] never
saw 1t till we two stood at the alter"
She raised her eyes wonderingly.
81 told you once" lie went on, :" that /
had never seen woman like you, and 1
never have; and ! thought it would be a
clever thing to marry such an Industrious,
good girl, let alone the sweet face that l
liked you for. But l forgot that all the gain
was on my side; that I'd nothing to give
you in return"
"You have been very generous, she fall
tered. But for you l should despair of
my fathers recovery"
I'm giving nothing but what can well
spare while you give yourself he answer
ed. ''But your hearts is not in the gift,
Lucy!
Her face dropped. 'Ill try to be good
wife, Mr. Martin
81 don't doubt that. It's in your nature to
be good and kind, and I've no right to ask
more after what you've seen tonight"
Suddenly the profigate dropped on his
knees, and folded his arms on her lap, his
features quivering with emotion. "I,ucy,
I'm ashamed of myself; I'm sick Of my life.
I'd give the Holt away, and take my spade
on my shoulder to get you bread, if could
but put away with it what am!'
Her best feelings moved by his evident
sincerity, Lucy leaned towards him until her
cheek nearly touched his forehead.
80, il you will but think like this always,
If you will but live the good life Mrs. Ben
nett praises in you father, think, yes, l
think we may be-happy."
1t cost her a struggle to say 80 much, for
the sight of that miserable woman had dis
mayed her, and she felt afraid of the man
who was humbling himself before her. She
had no faith in her own influence, nor any
deep and all-enduring affection for him TO
stimulate her into endeavors to arouse OF
control him when he wavered.
For some time she received no reply. AT
last he said emphatically, 'I'll try, Lucy
I'll try!"
"Now come into the Kitchen" he cried,
rising as he spoke; 81 saw the tray on tne
table, youll be glad of cup of tea." At
the door he paused, and put his arms round
her. "My little wife, he whispered, "do
you know you have never kissed me? Put
your lips to mine now, in token that you be-
leve me when l say mean to try to be
worthy of you"
Lucy obeyed, land with fervent God bless
you Whenever had the voice of Martin ut
tcTtu u DicbsiHS bCiOIC lt IcicuSeu
and led the way into the kitchen, He looked
uneasily around, but no one was visible ex-
ccpt an old woman, who was half asleep
over the fire.
"Come, Betty, stir yourself, exclaimed
her master, as he put Lucy in a chair at the
table. " Is the tea made p
''Sure, sir, Rachel made it an hour ago.
Shall draw you some ale ?"
But tonight Martin was not inclined for
his usual draught. He was troubled in
mind, and his head ached.
"No, Betty, I'll not have anything" and
he began to walk restlessly about, while
Lucy filled herself one of the old-fashioned
china cups. BY and by he came back to the
table. Son second thoughts, I'll have some
of your tea, Lucy"
She handed him her own cup, and he
drank it at a draught. "Thanks but it has
queer"
A piercing shrek echoed through the
house, and from closet the woman Rachel