The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1872-08-22

looks like blood"
Pooph, pooph " said the hus-
band, taking her arm under his, "il
looks like letter Of invitation to a
wedding. Come, come, leave the
letter alone if it troubles you SO,
Let's 90 to our room and prepare
for bed"
And off they went. They went
upon deck, and left me with the let
ter. ! remember that | kept look
ing at it as / smoked my pipe; it
seemed to fix its great red eyes upon
mine, fascinating like the eye of a
serpent. 1t was red, wide, raw,
staring like the nav of a fierce
wolf. | took my great coat and
hung it over both clock and letter,
and went upon deck TO finish my
pipe.
We were now in the vicinity of
Cape de Verde islands, and the ship
was running before a fair wind at
the rate of ten miles an hour. 1t
was a splcndin tropical night, the
stars were shining, the moon rising
above the horizon, as large as a sun
of silver, the line Of ocean
parting it, and long streams of bare,
shimmcrins light falling upon the
waves, which, as they broke, spark
led like jewels.
All was still, except the fall Of the
officer OF the watch, as he paced the
deck, gazing, as | was, upon the
shadow of the vessel, stealing over
the water.
love silence and order, | hate
noise and confusion. The lights
should have all been cxtinguished
by this time; but | thought | saw
Il little rcd line Of light beneath my
feet. At another time and place
this would have made me angry;
but that the light came from the
cabin Of my little dcportcs, | deter
mined to see what they were about.
The young girl was saying her
prayers. A lamp swung from the
ceiling lighted her room. She had
on q long, white night dress and her
fair, golden hair noatcd over her
shoulder, and almost touched two
little bare feet which were peeping
from under her white dress, so
pretty. | turned away; but pshow!
said /, | am an old sailor What
matters it?
The husband was sitting upon a
little bench, his head resting upon
his hands, looking at her as she
prayed. She raised her face to
Heaven, and then | saw that her
eyes were filled with tears. As she
rose, he said:
"Ah, my sweet Laurcttc, as we
approach America, | cannot help be-
ing anxious-l do not know why
but | feel that this voyage has been
the happicst part of our lives"
$50 it seems to me-" she answer
ed. Il only wish it might last for
ever"
Suddenly clasping his hands in a
transport of love and affection he
said:
"And yet, my little angel, ] see
you cry when you say your prayers,
and that | cannot stand, for | know
what causes it, and then | fear you
must repent what you have done"
Repent" she said, in a sad tone.
" Repent of having come with you" %
Do you think because | have been
yours only such a very, very short
time, that | should not love you ?
Was | not your wife? How can you
be sorry that | should be with you,
to live with you il you live, and to
die with you if you are to die"
"Ah, Laurettc, Lanrctte! When
if our marriage had been delayed
only five days-only five days-that
then | should have been arrested
and transported alone, | cannot for
give myself.
At this the little one stretched out
her round, white arms, clasped his
head, pressed his forehead, his hair,
his eyes, smiling like chcrub, and
murmuring all sorts Of woman's
fond things. | was quite affected,
and considered it one Of the prettiest
scenes / had ever Witnessed.
"And besides, we are so very
rich, too !" said she, bursting out
laughing. "Look at my purse,
one gold louis d'or-all my worldly
wealth."
He began to laugh, too.
=" Yes, dear, | have spent my last
half crown. | gave it to the fellow
who carried our trunks on board y
"Ah, poor" cried she, " what
matters it? Nobody so poor as
those who have nothing at all; be-
sides | have my two diamond rings
that my mother gave me; they are
good for something all the world
over; we can sell them when you
like; besides, / am sure that the
cartain meant kindly by us, and |