Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1872-02-09

the end, do what we will, and why should W
torture ourselves by vainly fighting ngans
fate -
"What can we do ~ was the woman's nm
swer. This life Is torture to me--so nea
you constantly, and yet SO far removed. VIVA
was thut2"
''They listened inteutly, but heard nothing
"Then fly from this ife," continued Percy
still holding Grace in close embrace; ~ vii
arrange everything, and on the other side o
the ocean, with the means which can speed
| ly get together, we ran defy pursuit or detec
tion. Say you will, darling"
Grace uttered no word, but she flnng he
arms around her lovers neck, and lingering
kiss was all the answer he needed And will
the kiss still warm upon her lips, the wifi
went 10 her husband.
During the next week Percy made NIL tn,
arrangements for the elopement He got to
gether all his available funds, which were con
siderable, and engaged passages, under an as
sumed name, on an European-bound steamer
The appointed DAY came at last Mr.. llanford
went 10 his Office as usual, leaving the lovers
together. They set to work, with u couple o.
hiihed servants, to complete the packing oil
their trunks. A carriage was in readiness,
and they entered il ia time just to reach the
steamer in season. Closely shutting the win
dows to avoid being seen, they were whirled
off. The gait at which they ratified over the
pavement quieted Percy's fears Of being toe
late, but, somehow they seemed a long time in
reaching the wharf. Still on and on, with no
abatement Of speed; but still they did not mr.
rive at their destination. Percy pulled aside
corner OF the curtain, and peered out They
had still many blocks to 60. Then he looked
nervously ut his watch.
Good heavens /" he exclaimed, 'it is past
the time We will be too late p
80, Percy" sobbed the frightened Grace,
"what shall we do ~
BY the way of reply Percy flung open the
window Of the front Of the carriage, and shout
''lou internal rascal you have made us
miss the steamer
81 know it, boss" he replied, ms he refined
up his horses, ''thai's what Mr.. Hanford hired
me to do. And here's letter he told me to
give you, after druv you round till too late
for the steamer"
Percy took the letter with trembling hands,
and read as follows
Percy AND GRACE IL saw and heard you
in the hall, after you returned from the opera
Since then | have watched you by detectives
who have reported yonr every movement and
plan TO me. have frustrated your e,opement
by bribiug the driver, and as you are reading
this, ! will be leaving you in the same steamer
in which You had engaged passage. Thus !
aid you in the accomplishment of your wishes
leave you to each other, and you may depend
upon never being molested by the foolish hus-
band and father. ION will never see me again
NICHOLAS HANFoRD.'
Perry and Grace gazc6 al each other in ut
ter hewldernent, and neither uttered word
on their way home. Arrived there the wifes
grief and remorse found vent in rcpen nat
tears, while the son was not less deeply affect
ed. Their eyes, until then blinded by their
increasing love, were now opened TO the folly
and crime of their course Either would have
given life itself tohave blo,ted out the preced-
ing weeks, hut regrets were useless They sent
letters, full Of pleading and repentance, by the
next steamer, and in the meantime teegraphed
by the cable to the steamer office in London,
asking Mr. Hanford TO wait for the missives. -
But upon his arrival in England he was found
to be insane, and was placed in an asylum
Another month, however, found him again
under his own roof, Percy having gone TO take
him home. lie seemed to have no recollection
of the event which had crazed him, but his
reason was permanently unscated For three
wears he wandered harmlessly about the house
The best medical aid was summoned, but their
efforts were fruiless and the patient never
recovered his reason until within an hour If
his death four years afterwards. Then bis
brain seemed to awaken suddenly from long
sleep, and he clearly remembered everything.
Calling Percy and Grace to his bedside, he
said
"My children, for such both seem to me,
die with nothing but forgiveness for you.
was foolish TO think girl could love an old
man rs n husband, and blame myself rs much
as I do you for the result. ] have one request
TO make and wish you 10 soemnly promise
10 grant il implicitly"
Both promised.
at is that you shall, MS soon MS proper after
my death, marry each other"
And so be died most truly mourncd by son
and wife who had long repented the wrong
they had done him. Although each had cher
shed the love for the other, they had scrupu-
lousy avoided, during the four long years, amy
mention Of The matter. But now they felt at
liberty TO discuss il.
A year elapsed, and one spring afternoon,
the clipping couple of five years before were
quietly married. The years of sorrow had |
only chaslened, but not cooled, their hearts, |
and the memory Of their error served as a |
and rs sad remembrance of the |
dead And now they have children of their |
own, for whom they pray, LEAD them not |
into temptation"