Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-06-28

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Whirling down the precipice, and
was dashed upon the rocks below.
The next instant the angry brother
would have given worlds to be able
to recall the deed.
''MercifuI heaven what have 1
done ~ he shrieked, staggering back,
as Amy fell fainting at his feet.
The moon hid itself under cloud,
and the air seemed dark with howl
! ing fiends. His brain whirled; and,
with the fearful word murder"
trembling on his lips, he fed from
| the spot and was lost to view in the
darkness.
It was Christmas Eve. Night was
slowly coming on, and a white car
| pet was fast gathering all over the
field and hedges the wind blew in
fitful gusts, scattering the feathery
flakes in whirling eddies through
the leafless forests.
Robert Lesson raised the carriage
window, and peered out into the
gathering gloom. The prospect of
whistling Wintry winds and blind
ing snow was not cheering.
He gazed long time at the trees
and rocks whirling past, as the train
Numbered on; and then, with a sigh,
he let the window slide down into
its place, and took from hiss5sacszcf
8 small clasp bible.
Though your sins be as scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow" he
read.
eyes," he murmured, ''but such
a crime. My God Cain bore the
aceursed mark Of murder to the
grave"
"There is forgiveness for all with
in the limits of infinite love-"
voice seemed to whisper in his ear.
ooh, that l could think So" he
groaned inWardly. "But murderedi
God knows l have repented it dong
and bitterly since-repented it with
an anguish of despair that beggars
description. Poor George %
And Robert Lesson buried his
face in his hands, and Wept bitterly.
He did not look up again until q
porter called out, f'Glen ClifP
''Home," was the word that trem-
bled on Robert Lessons lips as he
descended from the carriage, and
stood on the platform. ''Home
again, after an exile of ten long,
weary years"
lie grasped his travelling satchel,
and through the binding storm and
fast gathering gloom of that dark,
December night he plodded on to-
ward the well known beacon light
that starred the glen nearly mile
off.
cit is a dangerous undertaking"
he murmured; "bat can endure it
no longer. | am so changed that no
one viii know me, and l must see
the old home again, or shall die"
The storm grew 1iercer, and dash
ed the binding snow in his face as
though to drive the unWelcome in
truder back. Still he toiled on up
the hill where the hazel cepses
grew, and where he had so often
played when a boy, among the low
growing pines of the sloping glen.
Robert Leeson turned away his
head with shudder, as he came in
sight of the well remembered gorge.
''POOr GeOrgeP p he grOaned, with
a face almost as white as the driving
snow. "Would to God l had been
dashed down yonder cliff instead
Oh, the years of anguish and re-
that l have endured might
almost have atoned for that one act
of needless passion; and yet, oh!
why did return to suffer such tor
ture? Shall l turn back even
now ?''
He pressed his hand to his throb-
bing temples, and stood a moment
irresolute-but only a moment.
fNO / will go on. The beacon
light in the window urges me for
ward. One look into the old Wiu-
dow, sud then j viii 90 forth once
more into exile. Oil il is q hard
punishment hut mast bear it7
And so he plOdded on.
The mansion gradually doomed up
as he drew nearer. There was the
old, familiar window, with, it SEEM
ed, the same climbing vines, and the
same cheerful light cleaning out
like star.
cam / right in going farther p
One glance may bring more anguish
than years of silence and doubt.
The chairs may be empty, and the
hearthstone surrounded by strange
faces. Shall I turn back2 No, L
can not. haYe dared too much to
pause now"
1t was a neat though rather old
fashioned room. A daintily gar
nished table was spread in the CEN
ter of the apartment /; and a blue
eyed maid, with reddish golden
hair and dimpled cheeks, fitted in
and out of the room, preparing the
evening meal.
One would never believe, to look
at Amy Winthrope, that she had
passed her twenty-sixth year. There
are some persons to whom nature
has granted the boon of perennial
youth; and Amy was one of these.
A bright fire blazed in the CRATE,
before which sat Squire Lesson
with his feet stretched out toward
the warm glow, and his head bent
upon his breast. BY his side sat the
companion of his joys and sorrows,
industriously engaged with her
knitting-needles; and every now
and then a half-smothered sigh
would escape from her lips.
She was q mild-faced matron,
with large, hazel eyes, once bright
as twin stars but now dimmed with
many tear, and silver hair that lay
in shining bands over a furrowed
brow.
On low stool in the corner, with
the fire-light glowing full upon him,
sat a man perhaps twenty-eight
years of age. He seemed to be en-
gagged in tracing imaginary lines on
the wall on the opposite side of the
room, and one would readily guess
from his peculiar manner, that he
was not in his "right mind" 1t
was a well-shaped head, and rather
a handsome face; but the vacant
stare gave unmistakable signs of in
sanity-harmless, quiet insanity
After time his hand dropped list
lessly upon his knee, and he began
in plaintive voice to sing
"Thcy carried her down BY the waters side.
And buried her in the sand"
''That was long before he went
away" he murmured TO himself
''Aunt Mary, what was it Doctor
Hardy said yesterday about George
regaining his reason ?" aked Amy.
Mrs. LeesOn did not answer save
with a deep-drawn sigh.
els supper almost ready, Amy ?"
asked the Squire.
every nearly" she replied. 81
am only waiting for the tea to draw.
Aunt Mary" she continued, kneel-
ing on the hearthrug by the side of
Mrs. LeesOn, you are sad this even
ing"
Mrs. Leeson started.
"EI-what was it you asked me ?
was thinking Of something else.''
"Dear aunt" said Amy. taking
the wrinkied hand in both hers. sEdo
l not know of whom you have been
thinking, when other mothers have
their happy families gathered
around them ?"