The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1881-07-07
WINE, INTO " ruxurlousTy rurmsnec roNsn,
where her mother sat-


beautiful woman, with dark hair
ana oriental eyes, rose from an ottoman
at their entrance and came toward them.
At least, she came half way, and then
tottered back, with deathly palIop
overspreading her countenance: while
e-Ernest-dropped Lilian's hand and
stood gazing at that agonized face.
'Marian-my wifel'
Ernest! Oh, is it possible that we
meet at last?"
There was dreadful silence, during
which, at sign from her mother, Lillian
fled, and those two were alone-after
seven long years.
The stern, grave face of Ernest OAR
rel was sterner and graver still-even
Lillian might have shrunk from it then
and Marian, the woman who had
blighted his life, fell at his feet.
"Oh! Earnest, my husband - my
much-wronged husband-forgive men
she cried, 'T have suffered deeply
ever since that day left you"
"Sufferedp repeated Ernest, in cold,
rigid tones. "Have you ever thought
of what have suffered?"
eyes, yes; ton thousand times" re-
piled Lillian g mother, in a voice we'll
nigh choked with emotion. "But mine
has been the undying worm of an accus-
ing conscience. Oh, Ernest, I have
been Justly punished for my wickedness.
never knew how dearly I loved YOU
until had lost you-unth I had sacri-
feed that which would have eiyen the
best years of my life to bring back. Re-
member what I had alwsys heen-a
spoiled, petted child, with never a wish
ungrahfed, and 1t seemed 80 hi.rd to face
poverty-even with you. 1 was very
young-only seventeen, remember. Er-
nest-and all through the dim vista of
years that lay before me L saw nothing
but went, penury and deprivation. [
fled in moment of madness, delirium-
anything you like to call it-leaving be-
hind me that cold note, in which
1 bade you never seek me. /
did not go home, for my parents
would have Immediately have COM
municated with you. [ went to an
uncle, who loved me only too well-sin-
full wretch that I was-and I told him
[ married O. beggar whom believed to
have been rich. He was a bachelor,
and lived a secluded life, away from all
relatives and friends. I think I was the
only creature he loved on earth, and we
two lived alone. At his house my little
child was born, an i 1t was then that I
began to think and long for You. L
wrote and told my parents-as soon as
l was able-of what I had done, and
bade them to seek you, and bring you
back home. They wrote, I know, but
never received any answer; and 80 I
thought you had treated me as I de-
served, and had resolved to forget me for
T,Sli IL
my uncle died, leaving me his heiress,
and took this house, in which L have
lived ever since, alone-quite alone,
with my child. Oh, Ernest, how I have
longed for you, and prayed to heaven
to send you back to me? I have seen
your name in the newspapers sometimes,
risen to fame. And now, Ernest, for
our child's sake, forgive me-take me
back, and try to think of me as leniently
as possible. I know that you can never
love me again. [ don't expect you to-;
but
"Indeed, Marian, you are wrong; I
have never ceased to love you," inter
rupted Ernest's cold, stern voice. "I
have been as truly your husband in
heart, all through these bitter years, as
if we had never parted. I have wept for
you and have prayed for you too, over
and over again. But"
"But you cannot take me back. No,
nop exclaimed Marian weeping. 'T
was wrong to ask it; only thought for
Lily's sake"
Sand, for Lily's sake, WILL" said
Ernest. "I love my child too we'll to
part with her now. Rise, Marian, my
wife-my well-beloved-the past shall
be forgotten; blotted out as though it
had never been, and we will begin our
marriage life again"
'T am not worthy. Oh, Ernest, T
have never deserved such love as this!"
said Marian, as she was clasped in her
husbands embrace.
it is all in your hands now, remember, -
he said, with grave tenderness, and
looking into the depths of her beautiful
eyes.
How long they remained thus, in
happy silence, they might never have
known had not a little hand, the touch
Of whose fingers Ernest Darrell had fell
before, been placed within his own.
He looked down and met the upturneC
gaze Of his child. In moment she
also was gathered to his arms, while
blessings fell upon her fair young head
And as she had fallen like sunbeam
across his path in the beginning, so die
she continue to the end; and through the
happy years long afterward he could
only look back, with JOY and thankful.
ness unspeakable, to the day on which
he had met her by the side of the brook,
carrying her basket of er-lilies.
Lime.PreserVed Wood