Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1889-06-21


heavy upon his brow, and tho finger-marks
of care were plain across his fine forehead,
Sisters or brothers ho had never known,
mother and father were long since dead,
He was alono in the world, alone amidst
the inuumcrable who wcrc proud TO call
him friend or acquaintance; alone, with no
conhdunt no single soul to receive the words
that relieved the pont-up ycarnings and
emotions OF his heart, save Bessie, his low
Ing, truo, ever-patient Bessie, his alono, TO
whom he was god.
To her only did ho pour out his most
secret thoughts, his widest imaginings;
tortures of the inquisitoD, he knew, could
not wiring from her one word OF betrayal OF
his trusts.
From shadowed nook long she watched
him, then stole silently and, resting at his
feet, laid her beautiful head upon his knco
and raised her beautiful eyes to read in his
own the secrets of his soul.
With lightness of an angels touch his
great, brown hand fell upon her Dut-brown
hair, lovingly it fingered among tho soft,
short curls, his brow cleared, his gazo be-
came soft, tender, MS It rested upon her, aud
sigh of relief told how thankfullyohe rec
ognized the bond of love between them,
how willingly he resigned himself TO Its
power.
communion. But Thurlow was u creature of
moods, of strange, sudden, wild impulses.
At times he seemed unable TO resist the
terrible outbursts of passion that swaycd
him, soul aud body; the slightcstI seeming.
ly the most insignificant action OF those un'
der his control-and ho considered all who
acknowledged him us master TO be under
his supreme authority-the most trivial
movement of ono of these would render
him frantic and terrible. In his wrath lie
would visit his anger on the innocent, un-
suspecting victim with the hcartlcss cruelty
of Nero,
No calm followed these storms, for waves
of unchecked, soul-soarching rcmorse would
toss the unhappy man upon the sea of self
accusation and restless penitoncc, while the
"prido that would not down. part OF his
uncurbed nature rendered 1t almost impos-
slblo for him TO make the least exhibition
of sorrow for the ills he had so ruthlessly
inflicted.
'The heart knoweth its own bitterness"
and no human creature ever dreamed OF
the agony this man endured when his pas.
sion had spent its force.
But to the lovely and loving Bessie he
was tenderness itself, not invariably, alas
still, her gentlencss, her obedience, her
beauty shielded her from many of the
storms that beat upon the heads of others.
1t would be hard to tell, puzzling even to
conjecture, what demon of i'll found its way
into the atmosphere of peaceful quiet that
surrounded these two as they sat together
in the twilight.
Spite Of the good angel that seemed to
hover over them, the demon forced its
way.
What II was, Thurlow could never recall
4 l.,t.. 1tFVhN nVNi
on her part that disturbed the tenor of his
thought, perhaps; 1t might have been only
turn of her head or q wandering glance
of her eyes that conveyed to him the
idea that her heart longed for another
resting-place. Let it be what it might, the
spark was struck, the train was fired, and
like n fash, his anger was ablaZe.
He sprang to his feet, his eyes flashed
with rage, his lips trembled with passion
One word, only one word, he uttered, {
deep, stern, unanswcrable "Gon and will
rigid, upright figure he stood, his arm cx
tended and his hand pointing out into Tho
swift-gathering darkness.
"GoW
And she, Bessie, tho gentle, uncomplain
40ng, ever-obedient Bessie, hardly yet re
covered from the shock his sudden uprist
had given her, with slow, lingering steps
cowed and shrinking, trembling and dazed
in ignorance of what had caused offense
with eyes that each moment turned in mute
appeal, and longing looks of prayerful peti
tions for forgiveness, she went forth
Out and away into the gloom, into the
blaclSness of night that was as midday Il
the ebon that closed in upon her soul. He
the tyrant, still burning with the fire of un
bridled wrath, watched her, with seeming
unconcern, even with seeming pleasure
until no slightest semblance Of her beautiful
form was discernible; then with swift, lonl
strides he turned and entered the house
sought his lonely chamber and cast himscl
upon his bed.
Long, long, were the hours during whicl
he vainly sought to find oblivion in sleep
That precious gift came not to carry hin
into tho land OF forgetfulness. Instead
beating upon his brain and heart, ther
came tho loud knockings of compunctiol
and self-upbraiding for the vile, unmanl
act into which he had suffered himself +
be betrayed.
Whcn, worn with tossing, he finall
drifted into the realm of dreams, no brigh
visions refreshed him; the haunting spiri
of unrest was still in possession and h
groaned in his sleep.
The gray, cold shafts OF dawning NOR
that darted through tho lattice of hi
NlnuuWo icuShcu hio "tuc'pPo.i Oyco 40 u
lay, all unrefreshed by the fitful slumbel
struggling with the prido that tough
against the claims of his awakened col
science.
He could recall that even to his dulle
senses the beating of rain and rushin
sounds Of winds had told of suddenl
risen, fierce, wild storm that had swirle
through the NEIGHBOURS
He forced himself to reject the though
that mayhap Bessie had wandered into tn
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