The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-04-12

| iastidious about such things; but could
bever be happy if there was any such
dark spot which my thoughts could turn
back upon. But oh, l have loved Alice
SO much; she seemed almost an angel.
I could have staked my life on her
purity, ard yet you, her mother, come
to me With such dreadful words. I wish
you could tell me all-it is my right to
know"
The strong man was weeping as only
men can weep. His agony was fearful,
but there were no sigps of relenting in
tie face that looked at Him.
| At last she spoke. "Alice is pure,
aud by Gods help 1 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 uncomplet-
ed years; of the life that had gone out
in the shadow of her prayer.
1t is but justice to say that the man
| looked as though he suffered while ne
was listening. Was it for his sin, or
becadse sin had brought its own retri-
butiop7 God knoweth.
The story ended, she asked, "What
have you to say now.
He acknowledged it, for he could no:
we'll do otherxise, 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. shall
be true to Alice in every sense of the
word. do not need to tell you that, 1
am sure. Let this unfortunate occur
renee remain between us two, and the
devotion of son shall win your conf
denee 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, l will send
money to the house and have her
handsomely buried"
She heard him through. Then said,
"By what righ. do you demand purity
in Alice that SO far exceeds your own.
sit is:different altogether. Is it pos
sible, Mrs. '.sMaynerd, that woman of
your age doesn't understand something
ofsthe ways of che world?"
81 have had lesson in them to day
that an not likely to forget. You say,
the mother of your children must be
pure Do you think you will be held
| suiltlessY 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
ycur crime. L. hold you, Robert
Aiusworth, just as surely murderer as
though you had in 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
future You forge. that you are wreck
ing Alice's life as we'll as mine. Can
yoo not forgive me? 1t would be carry
ing ous 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 wher 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? know of no 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 it's silent lessons, she
will yet be thankful that she was saved
from destiny worse than death"
Days after Dame Rumor credited
Robert Ainsworth with a crowniug act
TO his wellknovn liberality iuasmuch 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 he may think diff
fsrentiy If his conscience is nosstoo
leninent sowarde 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 dross which is counted
gold.
The stars have gone cut, one BY one.
The night is dark.
And tho story is toId.-Rhode Island
Press.