Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1870-01-28


needless for us to know.
The house remained very quiet, When
Jackey's bedtime came, he heard his
mother bring the child to the door,
and opened II for him to enter But he
would not look at the little fellow in his
white nightgown, who stood pulling at
his coat. Beside him, on the mantlc.sheM
lay the pistol ready for use. lie could
not touch or look at the child, but mo
toned him away, turning his back on
him.
Eight o'clock came. He heard his wife
come again to the door, softly listening. !
He remained quite stin. She should
think him asleep. "By nine o'clock all
would be safe" was part Of her plan.
The clock in the hall rang out half-past
eight. Nine Bender took up the pistol,
and, concealing 1t in his breast left the |
chamber. Passing the door Of the child's |
room he laid his hand on the wood, with |
q sudden, passionate tenderness, as though
IL had been the boy himseE, "Jackey
Jackcyw he cried Tomorrow the child
would be ealone-withoutf father or mother
1t might have been different.
@ But it was too late now. He went
down the stairs, and entered a small un
lighted room adjoining the parlor. !
In another moment there was roll OF
wheels on the street, carriage stoppeda ut
the door, and then there was q low ring
at the bell .HE.I. -.
"They carry the matter boldlyw he
muttered. Whatever agony of pain the
old love that would not be stitled had cost
him tonight, was over now; an mpla-
cable madness seized him fury with
which the hound pants the moment before
it falls upon its prey. They were in his
power. rrrt-l Hf. .t.--
lie crept nearer to the door; held it
ajar, his hand upon the lock. lie heard
Crompton enter, ana the next moment
the soft rustic of Mary's dress. He could
not distinguish hor words, but the tones
Of her voice made him shudder. Not for
years had they thrilled with such nervous,
low, hysterical laugh not far from tears.
Crompton spoke in whisper. Once she
raised her voice little.
"You do not know what to-day is to
me have waited for it for yearsp -.r
Bender raised his hand-his finger was
ON the trigger. He pushed the door, but
before it opened, Mary left the parlor so.
ing lightly up stairs. She had apparently
forgotten something for her flight.
He stood waiting, her steps sounded
above him. When she should reopen
the door would be his time.
She was on the stairs. One moment
more-then-sh she broke into the verse OF
an old song an old silly habit of hers TO
| sing when her heart was full:
"sac true his heart, sac smooth his speech,
| His breath like caller air;
Ills very step has music int
| AS he comes up the stair.
For there's nae luck about the house,
There's nae luck at a. --.'I r~- -
| There's little pleasure In the house O. Al
| When my gudemans awa'."
1t was his song. He had liked it best in
their old courting days; nc had made her
sing the children to sleep with it always
The pistol dropped from his hand. "She
is true! My God she is truep
He stood there, for how lonT he never
knew. He heard the low murmur of their
voices The devil, be sure, did not leave
him altogether ---e -vgDll
NHe fancicd her hand in Orompton's-
their lips meeting. But the weapon lay
at his feet untouched.
4 Why should he not at least open tho
door9' He had right to their secret
whether guilty or not. The man trembled
Great drops of sweat wrung out on hi
forehead. q
"Sho is my WIFE, She is true woman
Though she kill me, yet l will trust il
her" Yet there was nothing to fight bacl
the devil of suspicion but that CHEEKY ole
song '.at- lu..
The halldoor opened and shut at last
There were hurried voices outside, ant
then the carriage rolled away. Was sh
gone?
He thrust the pistol in his breast an,
opened the door. Mary stood there, he
face flushed, tears in her cyeA folding III
a strip of paper. When she saw him
she sprang forward, and hugged hin
close. F
"The money the money !" she sobbed
"For the mortgage!" crying and laugh
ing, till she cried again; telling him be
tween times that she made it-she-in he
usual tumultuous fashion. "Oouldn' b
UNDERESTIMATE Z - l-slt-s A-a. ~
"No, don't understand" he said, soth
ing and petting her as he had forgotten t
, do for many a long day, II have bee
, more duh than you know, Mary. But it,
over now, thank God. ,-.rr.i. -.. /
at was all my drawing, you know, San
My one talent, as you. used to call il
When you were so hard pressed tw
years ago, i thought / might turnit to az
count. I went to the Academy of d.
sign And did turn it to account
Designing Don't you understand m
now? Friend Matthew Saul said l ha
. very pretty gift, indeed. EverybOd
was anxious to help me. It's auch frien(
: ly world, SAM" creeping closer to him.
4 is it, Mary? Perhaps so. God knows
$50 they took me into the establish
! ment, and paid me for designing new pa
terms for gas-fxtures. Ten dollars ston
That was two years ago. And have NJ
= drawn the money till to-day. heard
y (taking breath, and speaking slowly, thi
you were not TO receive your back pay.
II l went to Mr.. CrOmpton this afternoo
IL and asked for settlement. He is Il
" business man, and so considerate an
3 kind 1 always thought how much alii
/ you were, and what good friends yC
would be, when you knew him. 1t WASH
L. l. payday, and it took some time to mai
Dl out my account. But he offered to brir
n the money himself tonight, that mig
- give it to you as a surprise in the mornin
y And he did bring it, and there is enouG
u TO pay off the mortgage and now ha'
" y, you nothing, and nobody you can call yo
" own-not even me-"
n Sam Bender only held his wife close
re his breast and kissed her. She was
Us used to his silence-when he was deep
~ moved-that she did not heed it.
~ "You thought me brutal-lnad
=, night, Nary
Ill aBiess your dear old miserable fac
OF how could 1 be SO silly? You have be
d. ill and nervous, and the Disappointing
ut to-day was more than you could bear.
tn understood it all sent Jackey in, thin
TO ing he would comfort you, Shall we
or and tell Jackey about the mortgage
e anxiously.
I'D al doubt If he would understand"
Id "Perhapsnot, /" looking blank. "Thou
en- Jackey understands great many thin
ed that would surprise you. He's a We
wise child. Who can that be SO late
IS, Crompton's carriage againp
vn The door opened and the handsol
its Irlshman entered with a lady on his ar
1g He blushed little as he glanced down
m. her, laughing and looking handsOn
zee than ever. "I asked leave, Mrs. Bend
you remember, once, 70 make known |
nk promised wife to your have broul
he her tonight She has an errand to yC
yn husband which, she fancies, will l
se- wait" .l.L H|.. ..