The Iola register., 1882-04-21

half, she consented as istlessly ~ an
idioic child.
They were married soon afterward-
she, yielding and obedient, and he, stern
and unsympathetic. Ten years had
passed and three children were born un-
to them. During this period Mary did
not seem to regain her mind, but re-
manned docile as . lamb led to the
slaughter, while he became more stern
and coarse than ever.
After ten years of quiet listlessness and
profound indifference, Mary Stockworth
was seated in her chamber watching her
children play and romp about the halls.
A negro girl. now a fuli-grown woman,
was introduced into the room, bringing
note and basket of choice fruit from
one of her neighbors. Colonel Stock
worth's heavy step was heard in the hall,
which attracted the attention of the ne
gress. She uttered . startled exclama-
ton:
"Lor', Miss Mary, that is the man l
saw riding through the woods that night
Mr.. Nelson was killedp'
"Hush, girl, that is my husband and
the father of my children said Mrs.
Stockworth, with her eyes flashing with
somewhat of their old light. Her senses
seemed to have returned with the utter
ance of the name of John Nelson, the
| first time she had heard it for nearly
twelve years. She sprang to her feet,
and, grasping the girls hand, said:
g Hush; would you hang my husband
and the father Of my children? Don't
say any such thing again"
:'I tell you, Miss Mary, that I would
know him if had met him in Heaven.
He looks now as he did the evening when
he nearly rode over me in his hurry to
get away. tell you it is the same man., -
reasserted the negress, most vehamently.
90, you must be mistaken" said Mrs.
Stockworth, her eyes literally flashing
fire and every feature instinct with vio-
lent excitement which the girl mistook
for anger at her remarks. She was sub
dued in a moment to submission to tho
will of the patrician lady, and quietl.
took her leave.
As soon Is she was alone Mary Stock.
worth was the prey to violent emotion
She sent for her husband to come to her,
the first summons he had ever received
from his wife. He fastened to obey the
call.
! When he entered the room he was as
tonished at the changed aspect of his
wife. She motioned him to seat some
distance from him, then rising like an
enraged tigress, like an avenging Meme
sis come to judgment, she stood before
him, her eyes glaring with supernal fury,
and her words Kissing and searching as
the final sentence of fate.
Colonel Stockworth, what were you
doing galloping through the woods that
night John Nelson was murdered? Why
were you there?' she said, but with out
q culver in the once melodious voice.
Stockworth grew very pale beneath his
swart skin; he quailed before her pointed
question. He rallied just moment, and
replied with brutal evasiveness:
''Still harping on John Nelson? It is
very unseemly to take such interest in
any man who is not your lawfully we'd
ded husband. Pshaw, Mary, it does not
look womanly and wifely."
Then you were the murderer-you,
the father of my children, and my hus-
band. That girl has just recognized you.
SIR" she replied with forced calmness.
What else was said in that interview
was never known to the outside world.
But his words and his'confession goaded
her to madness, and she fell with a
piercing shrek to the floor, where the
cool, collected villain left her lying, and
proceeded direct to the house of friend
near by, who trafficked in slaves. With
big reward he told the man that he
must purchase the girl from her master,
and send her away to distant parts by
the next day. The man did as he was
directed, completed the purchase, and
before the next morning the girl was
far, far away, never to return and appear
as witness against the wealthy Colonel
StOckworth.
From that day the madness of Mary
Stockworth was confirmed without an
inter1nission, save in the early spring
time, when the hyacinths were bloom
ing; and, after the season was over, she
secluded herself and would hold no con-
verse with any one of her friends and
neighbors. Somehow or other the secret
leaked out in after years.
Stockworth left home and was absent
five years. He could not bear the re-
proachful eyes of his wife that followed
his every movement like an accusing
spirit. He died in the course of few
years, while his wife lived to an ad-
vanced old age, and reared her three
children to be useful men and lovely
/ Il 60 oil he
outside world, and ell loved and pitied
her because of her many virtues and
long sufferings. This story is handed
down from past generations, and is actu-
ally founded on nfact-Louisuille Courier.
Journal.
| A PerilOus Adventure.
News has just been received of rath-
er perilous adventure which happened to
Mr.. G. K. Munroe, member of the New