The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1874-11-20

hard, unkind thoughi. toward the erriug
took christian charity from NV soul.
could only think of the evil they had
doHe--n0t what they might suffer
through torturos OF remor.e. II was
some time pcforc the scluccr came into
the room where still sat with the child.
determined 10 meet him once more be.
fore / lef. the house. Oh how guilty
how hesrt-strieken his appearance
Remorse eat on his forehead--looked
out from his eyes-s1oee when he was
silent. VIII Won come TO dinner. he
asked. hesitsled. Should partake OF
HE hospiteliy--th hospitality Of one
or those fiends Ia human shane whose
steps take hold on he'll. knew his
gHlit-why delay 10 declare IL? Why
not a, once in burning words upbraid
him for his villiany, aud Zee A. from q
pesuence Ms sin-cursed housei The
man noticed m, hesitation. lie could
not. OF course. Interpret its cause, As
he repeated his request the look Of dis.
tress upoa his face excited q feeling Of
pity, which for the moment slightly dis-
armed my resentment, and under the
influence OF this feeling, almost uncon-
sciousiy passed into the dining room.
am sorry little Nclly's mamma. I was
glad he did not dare 10 use the sacred
name Of wife) is not able TO sit down
with us, he said. II Il many months
since we have had her present at our
meals. She is suffering from the effects
Of n slow fever induced by the climate,
be sddei gravely, as he motioned ne u
seat before him.
The table glittered with silver plate,
Obedient servants brought, on the most
costly server, deIicacies such as had
never seen before. But, the skeleton
sat at the feast could not talk. save
in monosylabes. NV host ate hcstiiy--
almost carelessly--waiting upon me
with many abrupt starts and apologies.
Wine came. He drank freely. Soon
he sen, the little girl and tho servants
from the room, and seemed striving TO
nerve himself for conversations. You
arc from ----- city, | believe; he said
nervously. | answered an affirmative.
Did you ever know a gentleman there
by the name of II. +. F---2 knew
him, sir, said stcrnly, looking the man
in the face, "snd | knew him also q
ruined heart-brokcn msn," With an
ejaculation OF anguish, he put his hand.
kerchief 10 his eyes. 1t would have
seemed hypocrical, but the suffering
on his face was unmistskable. Perhaps
YOU have suspected then. he began in a
quivcring voice. Not calmly but with
the words of an sccuscr told him
what had seen, and thought. and felt
Sir, said he, in tones which shall nev.
er forget II have sinncd, God in hca-
ven knows ! have suffered and IL In
Fs bereavement, he has cursed me, that
curse is foarfully fulfllcdi Poor Mary
is diving, has been dying for months,
and have known II. 1t hiss been for
me to sec tho failing steps--ihc dim
ming cyes-it is Cor me now TO see the
terrible struggles OF her nearly worn
out frame, it's for me TO listen 10 the
language Of remorse; that sometimes
almost drives me mad. Yes, mud--
mad--mad"--he said in frenzy, rising
and crossing the floor with long, hasly
strides. Then burying his face in his
hands, he exclaimed, too late, too late
Il repented." There was along pause !;
man means can now restore my poor
companion; her moral sens.bilities 5e.
come more and more acute as she fails
in strength, she reproaches herself con.
stantly." A weary mourning Sigh broke
from his lips as ii his hesrt wonld
break. ooh. If he knew" he exclaim.
ea again, If he knew how bitter pen
atty she is paying for The outrage she
has committed upon him he would pity
her--if il could be, forgive her. VIII
you see her, sir? / shrank from the
very thought She has asked for YOU,
sir, do not refuse her request. Hearing
that you came from America, she eL.
treated me to bring you to her, pro.
missed that ] would. | will 90 then
UP ihe cool, wide matted stairs he led
me into chamber oriental in its bean.
tiGul furnishings, its chaste .magnf.
conce. There, half reclining in q wide,
easy chair--a costly shaw of lace
thrown over her attenuated shoulders,
the rich dressing gown, c!inging and
followed TO the ravages sickness had
made; her thin, transparent fingers,
claspod and initrclaspcd, sat one whose
great beauty, aud once gentle gifts, had
made the light and loneliness Of ~.
cred home. But now! o pityi pity !
The ewes only retained thoi" i"aira
they were wolully sunIcn. The blaZ.
ing fire kindled at the viialS burned mp.
on her sharpened cheeks, burne more
Herccly, more hoty as she looked upon
my face. could think no more Of an
ger--l could only say 10 myself, o.
how sorry am for you! She knew
probably, by her husbands manner that
| was aware OF their circumstances
Her first question was are you going
back to America, sir? The hollow
voice startled me. ! seemed 10 see an
open sepulChre. told her that It was
not my intention TO return. at present.
O! then who will take my little child
back TO her fathcr2 she cried, tho tears
falling. am dying, and she must 20
back to him IL is the only reparation
can make--and little enough for the
bitter wrong have done them. hop
cd, sir you might see him. sho added
moment after. checking her sobs.
hoped YOU might tell him that his i'm.
age Is before me from morning ill
night as | knew he must have looked