The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-11-08
His nerveless hand loosened it's grasI

C0IIlUlC oull0IluS.
''Not SO, Lawrence. You see before
you the unhappy woman who was once
your wife. The years have come and
gone since last we stood face to face,
years of suffering to me, and yet 1 have
patiently awaited the will of Heaven.
Perhaps there may be more in this meet
ing than we either of us imagine"
"Not dead, not dead" he muttered,
with hushcd breath, as he gazed eagerly
upon her; "oh, then God has heard my
prayer. He has sent you to me that the
last act of my life should be my atone
ment to you. There, see me kneeling at
your feet, with the pride, the cursed
pride that ruined my life and yours,
trampled down forever. Oh, can you for
give me for the past, my wretched mis-
take which 1 have deplored in tears Of
blood ever since? I know 1 do not de-
serve it, but if you could only forgive me,
it would be the act of an angel Pity me,
pardon me-"
He had sunk at her feet in abjcct mis-
cry. His mind was once more cleared Of
all doubts, and he knew that he was in
the presence of the noblest woman God
ever made.
She was deeply affected by this evi-
dence of his contrition, and her whole
frame trembled, while the tears streamed
down her cheeks.
Now she could realize what this proud
man must have suffered in the days and
months and years of the dim past, and,
suffering, made no moan. She knew now
that all the time, he had been haunted by
the demon of remorse, that had we'll
nigh devourcd his heart.
The past with its gre.t wrong seemed
wiped out by this repentance of the
present.
"Kneel not to me, Lawrence, for what
sin you committed against me has long,
long since been forgiven. My act of
minute ago proves that I have never
ceased to love you. Ask the great
Master above to forgive you, but do not
kneel TO me.
"Oh, woman, every word you utter
sinks me into an abyss of shame. 1 see
myself q fool, Il knave, brute. Am
not worthy to touch the hem of your
garment. May Heaven bless you-and
forgive me" he moaned.
She made him rise, even assisted him,
and. weak and trembling, he sank back
into chair, almost incapable Of motion.
The fierce will. the strong frame, they
seemed withered up by the mad force Of
this demon, remorse.
"Oh, Lawrence, 1 thank God for bring
ing US face to face again. 1 have with
me proof of my purity, proofs that will
dspel all those terrible charges Of the
past"
peace" he said, Interrupting her; ~
would not look upon one of them for
kings ransom. Oh, did I not find out
the truth for myself? Has it not been
the consciousness of this that has pierced
my heart like knife at times, rendering
me almost mad? Wife, wife, have
atoned in suffering for my sins. God
has punished me we'll, punished me
we'll"
How she trembled at the mention OF
that sacred name! She was no wife Of
his; the law had come between long
years before. His wife Oh, Father in
Heaven, that would be too much!
Eyes, the old man went on, brokenly
"a thousand times have I clasped my
child to my heart, and, seeing your face
in hers, rained kisses upon it, in memory
OF you. Heaven bears me witness that
these long years have been one continual
season of bitter repentance. l sought
not gaiety, but when gave up all hope
of finding you, retired from life to brood
over the past, and give myself to the care
of my child. The old demon passion was
not entirely subdued, for when she told
me she loved the man who is the son Of
my enemy, forgot all the past Oh, to
think, after all my bitter experience, 1
had nearly brought ruin on that young
heart, tool Often have I raved in her
presence like madman, and tried TO
bend her to my will, for which God forgive.
me. He must have sent her to you to
bring about this meeting"
81 believe it, Lawrence. What have
suffered shall remain sealed within my
heart; you can imagine it; but never will
you hear the story from my lips. Tho
most bitter blow of all came to me when
heard that, in your anger, you had ap-
piled for, and received, the decree OF di-
vorce-that was no longer your wife,
~ "uo AeAAoS3 y O0' A"A9S u' AhthNSo5 NihN'
whoever told you that wilfully deceived
you. Ineverapplied for divorce, never
received one. So far as the law is con-
cerned, you are as much my wife as you
ever We're, though the bitter past can
never be wiped out-never; and we must
ever remain estranged."
''Oh, Father in Heaven, thank Thee for
this mercy. Husband, let us then try and
forget that bitter past. 1t has darkened
our lives for many years; why should it
shadow our whole future?" And she
stood before him, light shining in her
eyes, and flush upon her cheeks that
had not been seen there for many day.
Lawrence Richmond seemed dazed.
"Do hear Alright? Are you an angel,
that you can live down all natural feel
ings of outraged innocence in the past
that you can kiss the rod that smote you?
All what soul is there back of this,
noble, womanly soul, and l am unworthy
to receive you. Do not touch me, for l
have done you the worst wrong q man
could do a loving woman, his wife
thrust you out into the cold world, as
though you were accursed. God, in His
indignation, struck a blow at my heart,
but He should have palsied my tongue
my hand"
Hush, Lawrence. He knew what
was best. and it was through His will
that this meeting was brought about.
Let peace reign between US, and when
Carol comes, she will bless our reunion.
Poor child, she has troubles enough Of
her own"