The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1869-02-18

the ghastly pallor of her cheek-the dilated
uostril-the quivering lip and the intensely
mournful eyes, she covered her own face
with her hands aud burst iuto tears, while
the young husband, awed by the terrific
silence of her he had wronged, grasped for
breath and staggered back against the wall
Then Lucy clasped her forehead and first
gave voice to her anguish aud despair in
one fearful cry, which could but wiring for
ever through the souls Of that guilty pair,
and fell in death like swoon at their feet.
After the insensible girl had been re-
moved to chamber a stormy scene ensued
in the room beneath. The parents and
guests were alike enraged against W., but
the tears and prayers Of his young wife, the
petted beauty and spoiled child, at last soft
ened somewhat the anger Of the parents,
and an opportunity for an explanation was
accorded to the offenders.
A sorry explanation itproved. The gen
tleman affirmed that the first sight of Ellen S
lovely face had weakened the empire of her
palmer sister over his affections. Frequent
interviews had completed the conquest Of
his loyalty; but he had been held in check
by honor, aud never told his love, until,
when on his way to espouse another, ID an
unguarded moment, he revealed it, and
answering ACKNOWLEDGING from Ellen.
They had thought best, III order ''to save
pain to Lucy and prevent the opposition
from her, and secure their own happiness
to be married before their arrival at c..
Lucy remained insensible for some time.
When she revived and apparently regained
her consciousness, she still maintained her
strange silence. This continued for many
weeks; when it partially passed away, her
friends saw with inexpressible grief that
her reason had tled--that she was hopelessly
insane But her madness was of mild and
harmless nature. She was gentle and peace
able as ever, but frequently sighed and
seemed burdened with some great sorrow
which she could not herself comprehend.
She had one peculiarly, which all who
knew her must recollect; this was wild
fear and careful avoidance Of men. She
could not, she would not be confined, but
continually escaped from her friends, they
knew not whittier.
While her parents lived, they by their
watchfui care and unwearied efforts in some
measure controlled this sad propensity but
when they died, their stricken child became
a wanderer, homeless, fr;enlless, and for
lorn.
Through laughing springs, and rosy sum-
mers, tramp, tramp, tramp--no rest for her
OF the crushed heart and crazed brain.
l remember her as she was in my early
childhood, towards the last of the weary
pilgrimage. AS nv father and elder broth
ers were frequently absent, and as my
mother never closed her heart or door on
''Crazy Lucy" she often spent an hour or
two by our tireside. Her appearance was
very singular. Her gown was always
patched with many colors, and her shawl
or mantle worn and torn. ultil it was open
work and fringe. The remainder of her
wardrobe she carried in a bundle on her
arm, and sometimes she had a number of
parcels OF old rags. dried herbs, &C.
In tie season OF flowers, her tattered
bonnet was protusely decorated with those
which she gathered IN the woods or by the
wayside Her love for these and her Neet
voice we're all that We're left her of the
bloom and music of her existence. Yet,
no ; her meek and child-like piety still
fingered. Her God had not torsaken her :;
down in the dim chaos Of her spirit the
smile Of His love yet cleaned faintly-in
the waste garden Of her heart she still heard
His voice at eventide, and she was not
afraid. Her Bible went with her every
where-a torn and soiled volume, but as
bo1,, rt;n oDJ - lo al.
ished, my dear reader as, the gorgeous copy
now lying on your table, bound IA ''purple
and gold and with the gliding untarnished
upon the delicate leaves.
Thirty years from the time ol the COM
mencement Of this mourntul history, ou Il
bleak autumnal evening, rough country
wagon drove into the town Of c.. It
stopped at the alms-housc and an attcnu-
ated form was lifted up and carried in, and
the wagon rumbled away. Thfs was Lucy
Dutton brought to her native town to die.
She had been in decline for some
months and the miraculous strength which
had long sustained her in her weary wan
dering at last forsook her utterly. Her sis
ter had died some time betore and the
"Auo" w huSOduu utto oOUu ttltCl lCl1OFCu
to the far west, SO Lucy had no friends, no
home but the alms-house.
One day, about a week from the time of
her arrival, Lucy appeared to suffer greatly
and those about her looked for her release
almost impatiently till morning. The mat
ron, who was by her bedside when she awoke
was startled by the clear and earnest gaze
which met her own, but she smiled and bid
the invalid "Good morning. Lucy looked
bewlldered, but the voice seemed to reas-
sure her, and she exclaimed: "Where am
l; and who are you? | do not know you.'
A wild surmise flashed across the mind
of the matron, the long lost reason of the
wanderer had returned But the good
woman replied calmly and soothingly
"Why you are among your friends, and
you will know me presently"
''Then maybe you know Edwin and
Ellen" rejoiued the invalid ''have they
come? Oh, | had such terrible dream /
dreamed that they were married Only
think, Ellen married to Edwin Strange
It's that l should dream that"
"My poor Lucy" said the matron with
a gush Of tears, ''that was not dream,
twas all true
'All true !" cried the invalid ''thcn Ed |