The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-04-12
DEVOTED TO MORALITY and GENERAL TELLIGEN

/ fastidious about such things; but I could
fever be happy if there was any such
dark spot which my thoughts could turn
back upon. But Oh, have loved Alice
so much; she seemed almost an angel.
could have staked my life on her
purity, ard yet you, her mother, come
! to me with such dreadful words. Iwish
you could tell me ail-it is my right to
know"
The strong man was weeping as only
men can weep. His agony was fearful,
but there were no signs Of relenting in
the face that looked at him.
| At last she spoke. "Alice is pure,
aud by Gods help I will keep her SO.
You demand an explanation as your
right. You shall have it." And then,
| for the second time that day, she re-
counted, the ending Of those uncomples-
ed years; of the life that had gone out
ih the shadow of her prayer.
1t is but justice to say that the man
looked as though he suffered while he
was listening. Was it for his sin, or
because sin had brought its own retri-
butiop5 God kuoveth.
The story ended, she asked, "What
have you to say low.
He acknowledged it, for he could no;
we'll do otherwise, but he asked, Surely,
Mrs. Maynard, you will not separate
| Alice and me, for this indiscretiou that
has happened to end so disastrously.
| You do not know how common such
things are; why, could point out to
you many an incident, involving some
of the best men in our society. l shall
be true to Alice in every sense of the
word. I do not need to tell you that, I
am sure. Let this unfortunate occur
renee remain between US two, and the
devotion of son shall win your conf
dence again, and in our happiness you
will soon forget the seems and talk of to-
day. I wish, indeed l do, that twas in
my power to make some reparation to
that poor girl 1 tell you, will send
money to the house and have her
handsomely buried"
She heard him through. Then said,
"By what right do you demand purity
in Alice that SO far exceeds your own.
"It is different altogether. Is it pos
sible, Mrs. ':.Maynard, that woman OF
your age doesn't understand something
ofsthe ways of the world?"
81 have had lesson in them today
that am not likely to forget. You say,
the mother of your children must be
pure Do you think you will be held
guiltlessP Is there no danger of the
sins of the father being visited upon
the children?
81 will say nothing of the young life
| that has gone out in darkness. God
knows her soul, sin-staiued and crushed,
will be required at your hands at that
time when the wrongs of this world
shall be in some measure righted' But
Alice's purity can never be mated with
your crime. l. hold you, Robert
Ainsworth, just as surely murderer as
though you had in a moment of passion
shormy Alice through the brain. She
believes, in her trusting heart, that you
can prove yourself innocent. I go to
tell her you are guilty, and by your OVID
words do I condem you"
"Have you no hope for me in the
fnturef You forget that you are wreck,
ing AIice's life as we'll as mine. Can
you not forgive me? 1t would be carry
ing out the mandates Of Him you pro.
tess to serve. My life shall redeem the
past"
"I hope it may, ifit is possible l
forgive you, though thought when l
wiped that forehead, and closed those
eyes which had once looked SO eagerly
for your coming, that it would be i'm
possible. Had she lived, would you
have deemed her fitting companion
for Alice? I know of DO law that
makes her more guilty than you. Alice
will mourn over her shattered idol, but
strength is born Of suffering; she will
learn wisdom of its silent lessons, she
will yet be thankful that she was saved
from destiny worse thap DEATH"
Days after Dame Rumor credited
| Robert Ainsworth with q crowniug act
to his wellknown libcrality inasmuch as
he had "paid all the expenses Of the
poor girls burial"
"Just like him." said some one to
Mrs. Maynard. "He is so benevolent.
The woman Who gets him for husband,
Will have prize"
Lis possible that be may think diff
| fsrently If his conscience is not,too
leninent towards him.
God will judge between them. She
| fell, from her love for him; he, through
, his selfish lust. How many times in life
has that proved dress which is counted
| gold.
The stars have gene cut, one by one.
The night is dark.
And the story is told.-Rhode Island