The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1880-09-03

his departure. Sarah went IN stairs
and sat down 10 review the situation
while she disrobed for the night. One
garment after another fell 10 the floor.
Suddenly she gave a little scream.
Had she seen some one pceping in
the window No. Was there a
burglar under the bed : No. Why,
then, this alarm 2 From beneath the
folds Of her only remaining garment
pceped
rnE COMPLY LIMB
That bore the name Of George. and
the hileous blue circlet Of letters
seemed to glare at her in the gas
light. For the first time she realized
her position. She was the promised
wife Of man she loved. and who, she
knew. would insist on a short engage.
meni. Aficr they were married
what, Could he fail TO discover the
fatal evidence Of her follyi What.
oh what should she doY She was
in disircss-in fact, knee deep -and
knew not what TO do. She could not
give John up, nor could she 60 to him
and say-"Dear John. | love you,
hut have another mans name tat
tood on my" No, mol She couldn't
do that. She went TO bed, but not to
sleep. All night that blue band seem
oil to stare her in the face. and she
arose in the morning pale and care
worn. Like a sensible girl. however.
she went 10 her motherly old aunt and
told her the whole story. The old
lady simply advised her to trust in
Providence aud this Sarah resolved
to do, hoping for the best. Time
rolled on, and
ANtG NbbhtNN hhh
Drew near. John was all devotion,
and so was Sarah, for that matter.
Nothing occurred to mar the harmo.
ny which prevailed. The trousseau
was made, the wedding tour planned,
and the cage" as John said, "was
ready for the bird" One bright morn
ing the wedding bells rang merrily,
and John aud Sarah stood before the
altar and took each other for better or
worse. The young bride allowed moth
ing to trouble her that morning and
she looked as sweet as a peach, while
John was all but blooming idiot, so
happy was he. Oh they went on
their tour. from which they did not
return for some weeks. All thoughts
Of that terrible mark had not passed
from Sarah's mind. hut she was con
iident and rs happy rs a big sun ilow.
err. She had taken 10 early rising
since her marriage. and the morning
air seemed to add to her beauty. As
much as we dislike to intrude upon
the privacy Of a ladys apartments
especially such a one as our heroine.
circumstances compel us to do so, in
order iha, We may give faithful mar
rative Of events. One morning Sarah
oversight herself. and awoke-horror
of horrors to find John
STANDING ny HER BEDSIDE.
Gazing intently at her, with a curious
look upon his face. 'Twere well could
the scene he described as twas por-
trayed to us; but since this cannot be,
those who read this story must draw
upon their Imagination for details.
Suffice il. then. that the bride of six
weeks lay there living illustration of
beauty unadorned. Her night dress
had become disarranged. leaving ex-
posed a portion of the l--limb upon
which the hileous blue eirclrt appear.
ed. Upon this was the gaze Of the
husband concentrated. Paralyzed by
fear and shame, the poor girl lay in
halfstupor, drcading, yet longing, to
hear him speak. At last-and oh !
how long the time seemed-he said,
as he pointed To the disfgured limb ;
"sARAn. WHAT Is THIsy"
"Oh, John, she cried, starting up
and covering the hated mark with her
gown, 81 cant tell you-how could
you look at me in that manner J"
GLOW !-humph Are you not my
wife ? DO you not think a man has
the riga-"
ooh, yes, but
"But whaty"
Then she sought n woman's refuge
tears.
John sat down on the bed by her
side.
"Now, Sarah, said he. "tell me
what that thing on your leg means =
Almost heart.broken, Sarah, with
many sob and burning blush, rela'
tel the whole story, withholding
nothing. When she had finished, her
husband. without a word, arose, put
aside the arm which she had thrown
about his neck, aud left the room,
What he would do she knew not. Sh,
had almost lost the power to reason
After awhile she went down 10 break
fast. John was not present ut thu
meal, nor did she see him again tha
l..s M. :. t..a A.. 49,. ..so.La