Year: 1874

Mrs. Podgers spoke in 4 feeble voice, with
many pauses to gain strength TO continue 5:
but we will, for the readers convenience,
give the remarks il connected sequence.


II led lonely life after my former hus-
band 5 death, for | had few friends and no COM
panionship. Let me thankyO doctor, foryour
kindness in those days. My few duties oceu-
pied $" little of my time that day after day
would pass without my knowing what 70 do
with myself. will not dwell upon this TIL
pleasant PERIOD. My only diversion was in
reading, fiction being my preference, and
during the gears that followed there was no
author whose productions | read with so
much pleasure as those Of my present h'!s-
band. The coming of the :>unday Ledger
brought me every week some new delight,
and Tom Tinkleton was ever in my thoughts.
The desire to know him, to have his conf
dence, friendship, and companionship pres
emily grew up within me and from much fos-
tcring became passion. How to accomplish
it was problem was ever seeking to solve.
For months I thought if it by day and
dreamed of it 10y night. Then remembered
the frequent poverty Of authors, for books
are full of it. and it occurred to me to invite
Mr. Scribbleton to make his home with me-
sharing in my abundance, repaying me only
by the pleasure of his companionship. Dwell
ing upon this idea it was suggestive of an
other-why should he not marry me- and by
complying with the terms of my late hus-
bands will become the ultimate possessor of
the estate. Then should be sure of his COM
panionship, his protection as long as lived,
and the estate would be something like the
inunifcent return l wished to make to him.
1t was bewildering thought, and could
not have resisted the impulse to put it into
execution had tried


But did not, and few months ago
wrote to him, requesting his early presence
here, but disclosing to him only that part of
my wishes respecting the estate. He came,
and was delighted with him. l then un-
folded to him the requirements of the will,
and as good as proposed to marry him. He
was astonished, and with great agitation as
|
young lady whom he dearly loved, and would
rejecting my oyertures had no: hastcned to
assure him that l should probably not live
long, SO that the marriage he contemplated
would be little delayed, and that lie would
then have what possibly he now lackci-a
we'll appointed, comfortable home to bring
his young wife to, and abundant means for
their lifelong support. This consideration
| finally decided him, and we were married.
You see, Jennie, it was sacrifice he made
for your sake. You were the young lady he
had in mind, though did not then know it.
! He has been aknd husband, an,; have been
! happy with him: but have well known that
his love was still with yoa, that in you al! his
hopes of happiness were ceutered.


''You know, Jennie, W you came to visit
me. invited YOU in liter ignorance tia:
you knew my husband, and concealed my
marriage from you only that might, when
he returned from the city, enjoy your sur
prise when presenting to youa new uncle.
He came, saw YOU through the window, then
only did learn the truth. 1t was Il grave
dilemma, but to spare ourselves and spare
you we adopted the cowardly, wicked policy
of concealment. But we bitterly atoned it,
the happier you were the greater was our
misery, for we knew on what splendid
foundation your happiness rested. At last
we could not endure it, and decided to undo
the wrong as far as possible by full confes-
sion. 1t was this we talked about in the
library. But it was too late, you had made
the discovery tor yourself, and the illness fol-
lowed. thank God that you finally recov-
cred.


Jennie, when have reflected that have
been the instrument of possible ruin to your
happiness, you do not know what l have suf-
fered. Before die want to know that all
is well again. You must forgive my hus-
band. If you will now obey me- though the
sufferings Of the past cannot be recalled, the
happiness of the future will be assured
have observed you both, and this is my SIN
cere conviction. Jennie, and my husband,
desire that you will wed one after am gone.
That is long enough to wait, and choose the
anniversary of my death in the. hope tina.
when you celebrate in future years the anual
recurrence of your wedding-day you will be
reminded of the old woman who, though first
marring your happiness, was the subsequent
means to establish it upon broad and per-
manent foundation. Speak, my husband
speak, Jennie; forget the wrongs and the
heartaches, bury their remembrance in my