The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-09-05

with low moan the stranger sunk his
head on his hand. Thus he sat some
time, as if 10th to quit SO comfortable q
seat. ,..
She does not recognize me- men.
tally calculated the man. she does
not see in the miserable wretch before
her the man who once loved her. Well
no matter. I will go away; and not in'
trude myself upon her notice.. 1t is bet
ter she should not know me. &c '..' %
The woman was busy with her work
but she paused and looked at the man
as he asked,-
rs your husband about?'
mo. I have no husband was her
reply.
sDead?' . r- ,a
No; but he deserted me many years
ago. '.' 70. |
Brute = muttersd the man. +,
"'No, nothing of the kind 1t was q
cruel blow to me, but he was good
husband till he left me-
A short silence followed. E. -.
DO you think you would know your
husband ifhs were to return to you'?'
"A look Of surprise passed over her
face as she heard this query, but she
simply replied
Yes. I think I should recognize
him under any circumstances 49,
Even if he were poor, weak and
crippledr
She watched him with strange
look. mingled look of half suspicion,
half doubt.
'Yes,' was her reply. ....
Would you again live with him if he
we're to desire it2' .. Isl.
You ask strange questions, sir. How
ever. I have no objections to answering
them. I loved my husband dearly, and
knew that he returned that love. But
he listened to gossiping tongues till bis
mind was poisoned against me- . If he
were thoroughly convinced that the
charges he brought against me were un-
true, and desired a reunion, should
consent to it,
% Maryp cried the weak, husky
voice. Gan you not see in the suffer-
Ing, degraded wretch before you any re-
semblance to James Rice? Oh? can
you take back to your heart the misera-
bic, repentant husband who 80 basely
wronged you p
The platter she was drying fell from
her hand sbivered to atoms at her
feet.
Great Heavens! Gan it be!s Yes,
yes, it is my husband! Heaven be
praised .,.,..-...,...,,..,,,.. ,..--,-.
It was indeed so. Thus had taken
place the reunion of husband and wife,
after so many dreary years of sepera-
tion.
Tel, me, James, said the happy wife
after her great surprise was over, and
she had become calmer, where you
have been and how you have pros
pered.'
1T is all told in few words. Soon
after leaving you I entered upon a life
of dissipation, and my course has ever
since been downward. I soon lost oil
I had in gambling. My hope and pride
were gone. I have been an aimless
wanderer from place to place, with no
home, and my footsteps were at last
guided here, where I have received a
joyful welcome which I had no right
to expect. And you, Mary, how havo
you Jared p
'As we'll as could be expected. I was
so scorned and Knocked after you lett
me that was obliged TO leave the town
where we had lived so many years,
while he on whose account I suffered,
braved the storm, and still lives there,
honored and respected 1t was a Bit
ter blow, and hard struggle I found
it to be at first; but, after oil, l have
no reasons to complain of the worlds
treatment of me. I soon learned that
your estimate of DR.. Pierce was just,
but too late to avoid the penalty Of my
ipprudence. Let the dead past bury
its dead, snd forget all its misery in
tho joy and happiness Of the pres
ent.'
And here We will leave them.