Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1876-02-26

them to the steamer where Marion was
caressed and cried over, and finally Did
adieu.
They were In Europe year, wander
ing from one sunny land 10 another, ana
then they turned their faces hOmeward.
A year can do and undo so many things.
can effect such changes, that famlilai'
scenes become strange 70 US, and old
friends pass out Of remembrance. For
them it had done something, since the
gossips had forgotten to look wise and
shake their heads over a match which did
not meet with general approval.
On the return of the ThOrndykes, ono
of the handsomest houses on Fifth Ave
nue. was opened, and Mrs. ThorndykS
was ''at home for friends and consratu-
latiOns alike.
Rumor soon told strange stories Of her
not being happy, but she was never
known TO complain, and it was certainly
unreasonable for any woman with such
home and husband MOTTO gather some en-
iOyment out Of life.
One evening. late in December, 4r.
with an anxious, distufbed look upof lis
face.
Marion, shall have to 60 TO wash
ington tonight, and as il IS essential for
me to be back here before the New Year,
it don't seem worth while to take you
Still, it is not pleasant TO leave yau alone,
and our guests will not be here this week.
Now, what do you sayrp
az will remain here, Mr.. ThOrndyke.'
She had never called her husband by his
first name, or by any endearing appella-
tion-he had almost become accustomed
10 this mode of address from his wife and
looked for no other. "Grace wrote that
she would be here tomorrow with the
children, and have several engagements
TO fulfill, so you will have to go without
me.'
Had this man and woman been disap-
pointed in each other? In the beginning
they had both been very honest, know
ing that one was giving and the other re-
ceiYing. Their lives were not spoiled,
simply because there was an indefinable
something wanting to complete perfect
harmony.
John Thorndyke had learned what it
was to suffer during the past year. He
had found that he loved his wife more
far more than he loved himself, and all
his petty interests and selfishness had fall
len from him, leaving the mans noble
nature like the diamond in the rough
Ii was a difficult work, but he began the |
polishing with his own hand. He no
longer hoped; but he carried his sorrow
in his heart, not on his sleeve. Men en-
We'd him, thinking that they would be |
to such rare household gods.
He could not condemn his wife; he |
could not even find fault with her. Was |
she not always kind and womanly? She |
presided at his table, received his guests |
and hOnOred him. Why should lie ask |
more? Only week before, the fashion |
able world had been startled by learning |
of the flight of one of its fairest denizens |
with u penniless adventureT. He had /
shuddered, remembering that the woman /
prOfessed to love her husband.
Tonight a matter of pressing necessi- |
ty demanded his attention in the capitol, |
and he was speeding fast away from home |
on the Air Line Express.
Two days of hard brain-wOrk followed (
on his arrival-the review OF an impor- /
tant lawsuit then pending glance in 1
the House and Senate Chamber, and he /
was on the hOmeward journey.
So many things passed through his /
mind during the next few hours, His /
early life, that had been ruled only by 1
his own will and ardent selfishness; his .
and determination to win every /
thing he undertook. Then came the re-
of the meeting with Marion |
Thornton, his cool assurance and subse-
quent disappointment, the final success /
which had become worse than failure, /
and, last of all, the home without love-
These memories mapped themselves out .
so distinctly before his mental vision,
that the things of yesterday became real
tiles in the new light of to-day.
Out of his musings he was suddenly |
aroused by a crash, followed by a cOnfus-
ed noise of shrieks and cries; then silence .
settled over him, and he remembered .
nothing more.
Mrs. Thorndyke sat alone at her sump-
tuous breakfast-table. The cousin had .
not arrived, and she felt longing for
her husband that was altogether new to
her. This was the first separation since
their marriage, and in looking over the
year they had passed together, she found
that she had not done all within her pow
er to make their home happy one
''When he returned, things should be
it must not be said of her that
she had been found wanting.
y servant entered, bringing the MORN
ing mail; she took il from the salver and
ran over the letters addressed to
her; then, taking up the morning Her
aid, she glanced at the headings.
What was it that caused the fair face TO
grow pallid in the morning sunlight
What terrible calamity had swept the
peaceful look from the eyes? Only this,
found in the columns of that pitiless
awful disaster on the Philadelphia,
Washington and Baltimore Railroad
Cars thrown from the track. Fifteen
killed; many mortally wounded"
Then followed list of names, promi-
nent among which was that of ''Hon. JnO.
She was young, and her burden was
very heavy, because she believed she
must bear it without hope Of atonement.
For one moment only did Marion Thorn
dyke remain where her grief had met
her, but in that moment she held every
nerve in her body under a control that
must last until the end.
Ringing n bell, she ordered her carri-
age, gave few hurried directions to her
servants, then fastened to her bedroom.
Ten minutes later she returned, carrying /
a small traveling-b bag in her hand, and
got into her carriage, directing the coach
man to drive to the Philadelphia depot.
Drive rapidly" she said. Il must
catch the 10 30 train"
just as she stepped on board the train,
a telegram was handed her. She opened
it in the same mechanical manner in
which she had done everything since the
news of her. trouble had come, and read:
- Ohm is alive. Come to our house.
A. w. c."
"Oh, God, be merciful! Let me get
there in time - she prayed.
As the train moved out of the depot,
she heard persons speaking of the aCci-
dent. She even heard her husbands
name, but she only drew her veil closer
over her face, and looked out of the win
dow.
MY dear Marion, there is vet hope"
Mrs. Churchill said, rs she stepped from
the carriage. GLOW terribly you look"
Take me to him, Agnes, " Mrs. Thorn
dyke interrupted. ''it is my place to be
with him now"
Was this John Thorndyke, lying on
that bed, so white and still, the forehead
covered with bandages, aud the hair cut
entirely on one side of the head?"
"Oh, my darling" she sobbed, kueel-
ing beside him, you must not die. l can
not live without you"
For one moment the eyes opened, and
a glad light came into them, but no word
was spoken; and the doctor coming in.
told Mrs. Thorndyks shat the least excite
ment might produce a fatal result.
Through three long weeks Marion
uursed her husband. She would have
no one else near, and the kipd-hearted T.
did not forbid it, believing that .
stead of one. She had become almost .
hopeless in the long, sad watching. but .
she grew strong in love and patience, and I
asked of God not to leave her desolate.
One evening, rs she sat beside him, .
knowing that life and death were strug- /
CLING together, she saw a change come .
over the wan face. Going nearer, she /
said, softly:
John, my husband, what can do for /.
you?"
''NIine at last!' he said. s'It was worth
while to be under the jaws of death to
find my MariOn.'
she stopped his words with kisses.
Slowly but surely John Thornkyke I.