Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-05-11
NO. ll2.
Gales and Sketches.
A LIFE FOR A LIFE.
Continued from yesterday.1

81 most certainly do was the reply.
| "Some intimation of the situation of af-
fairs sprang to my mind as | glanced at
the young woman strengthened and made
/ sure by what was afterward said She
stood an animated statue of delight Not
in motion. but in attitude and in the ex-
preston of her face. Her hands were
clasped and her eyes were slightly raised,
like one giving mute thanks for some
long -wished-for but scarcely expected
blessing.
"Most certainly do, said the old lady.
i am easily prevailed upon, especially
when my duty points out the way in an
unmistakable manner. She turned to her
son at this, and continued. not reproach-
ingly. but with dignity The name bear,
and the name your father bore so honora-
bly, for so many years, was never yet
tarnished by deed such as you have been
guilty OF committing. Being done. what
can be done to repair it must also be
done She must have noticed the delight
of the young woman shining so transpar-
emily in her face, for her tone changed,
as she continued: And do not deceive
yourself II is not done for her sake, but
yours. | would that all who bear my
husbands name shall be able to say that
they have never committed wrong with
out doing all in their power to set the mat
ter right. Proceed Mr.. JAMESON
"Did she wish to make the ceremony
more degrading and plebeian by calling
in Enoch, the driver of her carriage, to
| witness 1t
The ceremony was performed, the
young man rather greediy than otherwise
accepting the situation, making his re-
sponses readily and promptly while the
young woman answered with winning
modesty and elf-possesson.
II had received my fee, and the old
lady arose to go. | cannot tell you what
| there was in her voice that struck me. 1t
was not anger nor grief. 1t was not like
the determined cry OF man who is will
linglv, and with his senses all on the alert,
submitting to painful surgical operation
II have but this to say she said, as
she stood in the doorway, addressing her
self to her son. You have chosen your
path in this matter instead of the one
selected for you. Take it and keep it,
While your wife--and what a bitter sneer
she injected into chat word while your
wife lives you must he stranger to me
and my belongings She must never
darken the door of my housen
with that she swept out of the door,
down the walk. and. entered her car
riage. with her naughty dignity and her
family pride.
1.-The delighted expression faded awav
entirely from the face of the newly made
wife. She stood there still holding
her husbands hand. but lost to every
sight and sense like one benumbed or
stunned by sudden shock then sudden
ly recovering herself she flung her arms
about the young mans neck with sob.
crying ont, pteously. What have we
done? What have | done?'
He tried to comfort her with brave
and loving words and caresses, but il was
long before he could soothe her or drown
her selt-reprOaches.
The result was not long delayed. The
young man tried not to- but did feel and
was made to feel. the altered position in
which he was placed.
The story of the estrangement OF the
family became known in one way or an
other. never as it actually was until this
moment. and the two most affected by it,
accomplishing, found some to sympathize
with them, many TO sneer at them.
AT one time they had made up their
minds to remove to some other place and
commence anew where they were but
little, if at all, known; but the family
name was tower OF strength to The
young man, and he determined at length
to live down whatever effect might have
resulted from his actions.
Better, perhaps, had they gone away,
for the wife bore self-imposed the heav-
lest portion of the burden. Sne sank un-
der the thought that to her was due the
altered situation of her husband. Even
when held lovingly in his arms she con-
tinually expressed the wish that she was
dead, for, she said, AS long as live, you
will be shut off from all the benefits that
your family can bestow on you
1T was not long before, with fear and
tire milling, the apprehension of yet
more terrible change came upon him. He
watched her closely with loving solicit
tude. and appointed that the duties of one
of her servants should be never for one
moment to lose sight of her mistress.
"All terrible things come suddenly and
as crushingly as though unexpected We
may be watching for many hours and
days beside the bed of dear friend whose
thread of life we can almost accurately
measure, and yet, when it is cut, it seems
to be sudden and unexpected. So did
this come of which | am to speak.
at was wild night in the Spring. and
the streams were swollen more than bank
full. The wind roared like Gagged ami
NAL. driving the clouds like bits of fleece
over the sky and across the face of the
moon, which shone with itiul CLEAN.
The young man woke at the dead of
night. feeling the kiss OF his wife warm
upon his lips, and hearing the murmured
exclamation, Il will be burden to him
that love no longer He sprang up in
his bed to see glttering through the door
way of the room white drapery, and to
hear the patter of bare feet on the hall
beneath. Half awakened and dazed, he
flew after the retreating figure, missed it
in some of the rooms below, and Just
stopping to call some of the servants, he
fastened to the door. standing wide open,
and ran away down the field toward the
river, the white, spectre-like form gliding
rapidly away from him in the moonlight
He hesitated not, but sprang away toward
it. calling in beseeching tones as he did
so with all the strength of his lungs.
1T stayed not nor stopped. seeming
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