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126
Norah’a lips trembled, but she replied sue
dilv:
"Now, you ara Marion again—awhile since
you looked anil talked like some one else. 0,
my sister, have no more concealment* from
those who love you with unselfish tenderness
—be true to your own loving nature; I ask no
more.”
For an instant, Marion was terribly conv’.la
ed with some powerful emotion, with her face
buried in her liauda arid turned away from
Norah, she wept aloud.
Month's arms again sought to epfpld her,,
but she gently withdrew from them, dud with
her head bowed end etill weepin«>»d in
broken acoents.
"As* Dr. Hnzleton if I have spoken trub.
You will not doubt his word." She arose and
hurried out without one look behind.
There was a slight cry from Norah. a sad
sound it was, yet so one ffaard it but Wilma,
as she sat so like a statue, with her eyes so
fixed and hard, it seemed ns if her faculties
were benumbed. Thus she sat, as the silent
lime psssed by, neither moving finger nor gaze
from where it was fixed on vacancy, and No
rah felt that her sorrow was hid from mortal
view.
A day later, and to the gathered family cir
cle Marion was once more in honor joined, and
by her father presented as the future bnde of
Ralph Hazleton.
"Thank heaven,” she muttered under her
breath, but not so low that idol. Genneratt
did not hear, “free once more, aDd thank
you too,” ahe cried, turning toward* the door
where Dr. Hazelton was was just entering, but
be did not hear her remark.
Had he done so, or heard all that ahe said
that eveuing, then this tale might not have
been written.
CHAPTKR VII.
A few weeks afterwards, Ralph Hazleton
was alone in his bachelor apartment, alone
with Intense awakened thought, and a wild
companion he found it. That night was to b«
his bridal with Marion—the beautiful wronged
feirl.
Not until now hsd he asked himself how
came this to be? And with wnlhings es
spirit the answer camo with the question—“ I
know not.’’ Like a nightmare hung upon bis
spirits, recollections of Marion's mysterious
ways, her vacillations—her artfulness, his con
science whispered it was—and with anguish
bis true spirit revolted at the thought. H was
.too late for retreat, sud not for a moment did
the thought gain hold upon him, that it was
possible for him to retreat; the world’s code
of honor was to him a bard master, free a*
he proclaimed himself.
The town clock chimed out the hour. The
time was fast approaching, yet here lingered
the bridegroom.
At last be sprang up, crying inwardly, “Let
me cetse this probing amongst ths chaos of
mntive, impulse and passion, else I'll go mad.”
He conquered and went forth t» the wedding.
A large w dding it was to be, in opposition
to the wishes of Ralph, who disliked parties
intensely. As he neared the house and saw
the glimmering lights, ihe white fluttering
robes passing from room t® room, the beauti
ful decorations oir every side, lie oonld not re
press the thought that It was mockery. Re
chose to enter unobserved, and ascended a
pair of stairs leading outside to the upper bal
ustrade. It was closely interwoven with lat
tice work and with clambering vines, whish
concealed him from view, and just as be
reached the top he saw Wilma on the veran
dah gathering some white blossoms from the
vine. Her face was turned so that ahe did
not see as be did, the figure of a man near by
her, in the shadow of one of the columns.
Ralph saw him bold two wineglasses upon a
small waiter, and into oue of them he now
dextrously emptied the content# of a small
paper; then he advanced towards Wilma, tad
addressed her gaily, in a voice which Ralph
easily recognized— • *
“ Let us drink, Miss Star, to the happiness
of the fhture pair."
Wilma started at his voice, and turned in
dignantly around.
"You persecute me nt your ooat, sir; I'll
not bear it much longer.”
Ralph's eyes blazed with passioo, and sud
denly they were seen by Millwood—for it was
no ether. Before Ralph could asoeud one step
he hsd glided away, as quietly and gracefully
as ever
Pale and stern, Dr. Hazleton approached
Wilmn, eiclaming, " What is be doing hare,
and why are you so reserved end silent. Why
do you not claim my protection ee ever?”
I 'ave needed uo protec ion, but your ap
proval. and the regard of these kind friends,”
she replied with dignity, and “at s times few
Wttrds are wisest."
"To night— to find him here to-night,”
muttered Ralph, "bodes no good.” •
"Ee came hup to me a wile ago," said Wil
ma, “as I was harraugiu the hicee in one of the
back closets, sod would not leave uDtil I threa
tened to call for 'elp. Ido not fear 'imand
she looked beautifully courageous, “ but there
are dark deeds tu his soul I fear.”
Before Ralph could clearly determine bow
to act, there was some one calling W ilma. and
soon be was seen aud borne off to the room
in which they awaited the bride and her
friends. Marion wonld have no brideam ids,
h and since dark had been locked in her own
THE SOUTHERN FIELD AND FIRESIDE.
room alone, so they told him, as he patiently
awaited ber coming. Th> waited, and so tbe
congregated guests awai ed in the parlors, un
til tee minutes grew weurysome. There was
a troubled suspicion in tbs mmd of Ralph, and
he drew Norah from tbe room, saying to her as
be almost dragged bergip the stairway, “ Let
us go to her room.”
A loud rap from Ralph’s lingers resounded
through tbe bouse. There was m reply, and
no longer hindered by courtesy, lie turned the
bolt sud both entered. Tbe room was silent,
and Marion not there!
‘‘They have fled!" ejaculated Ralph hoaree
1/-
A scene of awfal confusion followed, which
bSftles description. Cries of agony, blended
witb tbe whisperings of the curious crowd be- j
neath rushing to and fro, and above all was
seen the figure of Ralph, as he rushed out, '
followed by Col. OenDeratt. Ho directed his
rapid steps through a path which be bad trod- |
den before, and on through unusual dark
ness be made bis wey towards that spot
where he bad first seen Marion Ctennerau.
He sprang over bushes, through briars, witb
fearful speed, and almost with exulting horror
be came upon a white figure stretched upon
the ground. He bent over it, and by the dim
light recognized Wilma. She was insensible.
He raised her on bis arm, rubbed ber cold hands
and ctHed her name; but though bis voice
echoed through the woods with thrilling dis
tinctness. it woke no sound from her. Others
were joining in the search, aDd when Ralph
heard approaching steps, and knew that assist
ance was near at hand be laid her gently up
on the grass, for his own ear had caught the
echo of a pistol shot, and so fellow the sound
was imperative. Once more he pursued hia
rapid way, an unerring foresight leading him
towards the river’s bank, far above the wharf
aod warehouses. He was soon close upon a
figure whom he recognized distinctly as that
of Col. Genneratt. The darkness mantled hia
face, yet when he spoke, Ralph almost shrank
at the sound of hia voice, it was so full of woe
and acute distress. He seized the arm of
Ralph witb tbe gripe of a madman, and from
his iacborent sentence, he gathered that be had
followed upon the fugitives directly—having
suspected foul play, had shot at Millwood, and
heard a grosu as if from a wounded man, but
directly after, upon swift horns they had fled
out of sight, down towards the river's batik,
where it would be almost impossible for them
to escape, yet no traces of them were left.
CoL Genneratt had called for horses, and
soon he and Ralph were *Ttoping madly in
search. The two horses ihev found, saddled
and bridled, and flecked with foam; yet where
were (he riders? Through the long night,
with their torches lighting tbe dark forest,
they continued their wild search.
Tbe maniac search of the Colonel went on
with unabated fury, and whenever he met
witb Ralph, he cried out frantically—
“ Fiad them, for the love of heaven. Kind
them, or I am a maniac forever.”
[ib BE COXTCiCED.J
- kOKiU'SKO.— -The following anecdote is re
lated of this oelebrated I’olisb patriot. He
wished to send some bottles of good wine to u
clergy sa an of Rolotburn; ami as he hesitated
to seud them by hia servant, lest be should
smuggle * part, he gave the commission to s
voting man of the name of Xeltner, and desired
him to take tbe horse which be himself usu
ally rode. On his return, young Zeltser said
he would never nde hie horse again, unless he
gave him his purse nt tbe same lime. Kos
ciusko asking what he meant, he answered
—‘ As soon as a poor man ou ths road takes
off bis hat sod asks for charity, the horse im
mediately stands still, and wont Stic until
something is given to tbe petitioner; aud as I
hod no mousy about me I was obliged to give
something iu order bo satisfy the horse.’
The steamer S., commanded by CaplaiQ S..
exploded several years ago with terrible effect,
and burned to tbe water’s edge. Cnpt. S. was
blown into tbs air, alighting near a floating cot
ton bale, upon whien he floated uuinjured, but
much blackened and mudded. Arrived at a
village several miles below, to which news of
tbe disaster had. preceded him, he was accosted
by the editor of the village paper with whom
be was well acquainted, and eager for an item:
•I aay, bay, is the S. blown up T
•Yes.’
‘Was Capl. S killed?’
‘No, I am Captain B.'
The thunder you are? How high wore vou
blown?’
•High enough to think of every mean thing I
ever did in my life, before 1 came down here ’
The editor started on a run for his office ;
the paper was about going to press, and not
wishing to omit the item of intelligence for the
next issue, two weeks off, wrote as follows:
The steamer S. has burst her boiler, as wo
learn from Capt. S., who says he was up long
enough to think of every mean thing he did in
his life before he lit. We suppose bo was up
about three months.
‘Paddy,’ says a joker, ‘why don't you get
your eare dipped—they are entirely too long
for a man ?’ ‘And yours,' replied Pat, ‘ought
to be lengthened—they are too short for an
«r
• THE \OONU WIDOW.
Shs 1* modest, she i, b ish'ul—
Free and easy, but not bold—
Like an apple, ripe and mellow,
Not too vonag and not too old.
Half inviting, half repulsing, ' _
Now advancing, and now shy,
r There is mtechief.jn ber dimpi*. *
There is danger in her eye.
She has studied human nature,
She is schooled in all her aits,
She has taken her dtoloms.
And he mistress of all beerts.
She can tell the very moment
, When to sigh and when to smile,
Oh I a maid is something charming,
Bnt a widow ell the while.
You are sad I how very serious
Will her handsome face become ;
Are yon engrT? she is wretched.
Lonely, (Viendless, tearful, dumb.
Arc you mirthful? how her laughter,
Silver sounding will ring out; •
She can lure, and catch, aod play yon.
As the angler does the tront.
Ye old bachelors of forty.
Who bare grown so bold and wise—
Young Americans of twenty,
With your love-looks in yonr eyes—
Yon may practice all the lessons
Taught by Cnpid since the fall;
Rot I know a Utile widow
Who can catch and fool you all,
-»»l —i
[For the Southern Field and Firetide.]
RANDIM THOUGHTS.
Xl ItBEB TURK?.
Well, sir, what of it ? Supposiug she did
say she would not sew on another button, until
you gave up that horrid pipe; what of it ? Do
you think sho was born solely for the purpose
of being your slave ; that when she vowed to
"love, honor, and obey," she made a conscious
sacrifice of ail her opiniona and tastes to yours ?
Os course you feel very much aggrieved at this
outrageous threat your wife has had the au
dacity to make. What seltiah, unmerciful hus
band has not felt thus when unexpectedly hi 3
poor, plodding drudge, oppressed by the cruel
burden of her labors, has rebelled against the
last feather ? It’s very hard a man can’t enjoy
himself in hie own house. That’s your opinion
i#t? Allow me to give you mine. I agreo
with your wife perfectly and would not tolerate
that pipe under any circumstances, far leas
when it is smoked by a man who is totally ob
livious of everybody’s comfort but his own.
What, when she has toiled and worried her
self sick to have her nice white curtains, which
look her three whole days to iron, perfumed
with the nauaeous fumes of that upcivili*ed
pipe, have its ashes scattered over her best
carpets, and its unsmoked tobacco griming her
nice red hearths, to say nothing of those dirty
looking bags, marked "ITyco” ev-rlaatingly
appearing on the mantles and the delicious per
fume she is constantly made to inhale! Infa
mous! Biitwhpnyou were lint umrned, you
smoked constantly and I.'iey nnyer complained,
that’s what yeu can't understand. I’ll elucidate
that fact, when you wore iiryt married you were
not in tlm habit ol sei/ang the newt-paper the
instant that the steak was placed smoking upon
the breakfast table, and after turning a deaf
ear to all of Lucy's s.-licitatious for Some time,
wheel your chair round to the table and com
plain of the lukewarm collee aod frigid steak,
and when informed meekly by Lucy that its ali
throagh your delay.snap her up by exclaiming,
*'Uow cau you assert such a ridiculous thing?
Why I hardly looked at the paper!’’ No. You
were not ip the habit of bringing friends (?)
unexpectedly to dine at two o’clock, and then
bitu-ry upbrdld you wife with the frugality of
the fare, in striking contrast With the dinner
you partook of at Vlr. L’s last weok, hushing all
her excuses by asserting she should always be
prepared for company: yet when the house
keeping bills are handed in, charge her with
shameful extravagance, and calmly enquire if
she is trying to ruin you ? Nor would you of
atl evening remark : “Well, Lucy, I don't sup
pose you care much lor the Opera this even
ing !’’ and nodding your head carelessly, saun
; ter to that very Opera, you did not deem sufli
eiently interesting 10 persuade Lucy to attend,
though you are wetl awaro that sho is pale and
thin, and that her monotonous round of duties,
has not been broken in upon by an amusement
lor the Ust six months, and that tho tamest
entertainment would be recreation to her.
Ne you dismiss her silent negative with "3ho’3
too fond of home to care for such things," but
never pause to consider that your growing in
difference to her society and pleasures is the
undercurrent to this peculiar foudness aud that
she's too well aware that your careless ques
tion is hut an idle form, to dream of imposing
upon you her irksome companionship for the
long space of an evening, were ahe pining for
one breath of fresh air. No, sir, when yeu
were first married you loved the psje spectre
who flits with noiseless tread about your tidy
bouae, and considered her first, yourself last,
but now you reverse the case. Then you con
sidered the coffee made by Lucy's heeds too
good to be allowed to wait upob your paper,
and you were too conscious of her industry and
how carefully she strove to keep things togeth
er to dream of accusing her of extravagance I
To sum up the truth in one sentence, you were
then suffering from an amiable weakness such
as attacks all newly married people, and have
now happily recovered from its baleful effects.
You need not regard me with that magisterial
frown; Tm not Lucy, and am not to be intimi
dated from speaking the truth, however un
palatable it may •prove. Now my advice is—*
go home and put your arm affectionately about
your wife and tell her if that pipe is at all re
pugnant or disagreeable to her, you are deter
mined upon giving it up immediately, then, as
usual with such poor fools, she’ll insist its per
fectly delightful. There's no necessity for that
significant shrug of your shoulders, I am per
fectly aware that you consider this affair none
of my business, of course you do, now -that you
find J don’t agree with you in all your unselfish
ideas. W®ll, well, clap on your bat with that
nouehalent air aud march out. I’ve done my
duty, and you have convinced me of the fact
that it; as Thackeray asserts, “Women delight
in martyrdom" men take great pleasure in con
ferring it upon them.
—
OHITiDREJTS CORNER.
ENIGMA.
1 am w»mpiH>ed of eleven letters—*
My 1, 11, 8. B—la a city in ancient Pha ntciu.
2, 10, 7.9, 11—Is a lake in South America.
3,5, 4, 4. 8, 9—ls a town In Franco.
4,8, 2,9, B—lsa river In the Confederate States.
1,4, 7ls a mountain in Sicily.
8, 2. 1, 9—is a book in the Bible.
7.4, 4, 7—is a girls name.
5, IX. 6. 7—ls a city In Orsece.
9. 7. 8. I—is an animal.
10,7,9,8—1 s what the Yankeesare often changing.
11, 8,7. 9, I—lsmnchused by housekeepers.
My whole is the name of ft gallant Confederate offi
cer who ponred out his life's blftod on the altar of his
country.
Little Frank had been long expecting pres
ents from old ‘ Santa Claus,’ and as it happen
ed the night before Christmas, an enterprising
little boy who bad been abo.it the streets for
some time, but whom Frank had never before
sett), called at the door, with bis waiter loaded
down with candies, cakes and toys, offering
them for sale. Frank eagerly hprried for
ward aud anxiously aaked—‘Are you Santa
Claus?’
Little , a high-spirited boy of three
years old. was brought to church, to be bap
tized. He got away from his parents, and
amused himself by shutting and opening the
pew doors. At last, when bis turn came, be
was led to the altar, but when the bisbop put
the water upoD bis forehead, be bristled up with
rsge, and giving him a look of angry defiance,
exclaimed; 1 Better do tnat again, sir!’
Little Alice A , dressed and prepared
for a walk, was skipping back and forth,
through the entry, waiting for her mother to
get ready to go out. Her Hide cousin said he
wsb going out, too.
‘No,’ aaid Alioe, ‘you can’t go—you are not
dressed up I’
Her uncle laughingly remarked, that ‘the
pride stuck out quite early.’
’No,’ answered Alice, ‘it isn’t my pride, it’s
rnf new moreen skirt that sticks out sol’
Two Wltle girls were playing together, one
summer morning, when one perceived the moon
yet in sight.
•Come here, Susie, aud see the moon I’ said
th# larger child.
' Titiia’t the moon, it ith the sun.’
•Why yes it is the moon.’
‘Why no, it isthn’t the moon—the moon is
took away in the daytime.’ -
After some parley, she was induced to look
for herself. When she saw it really was the
moon, she exclaimed:
‘ Oh, yeth, Dod fordot.’
Child’s Wisdom. — in eouversation relating
to the recent conflict on the Happahannock, a
gentleman remarked that Lee doubtless had
gained a victory but had accomplished nothing *
by it—there were no important results.—
A little girl, was preseut, qnietly asked ; -But
if Gen. Lee had been defeated, would not the
Yankees soon have been in Richmond?’—
Sumter Watchman.
I
A Mischievous Parrot.— On© dav a party
of ladies paid us a visit aboard, and several
had been hoisted on deck by the usual means
of a ‘ whip’ on the main yard. The chair had
descended for another ‘whip;’ but scarcely
had its fair freight been lifted out of the boat
alongside, than the unlucky parrot piped, ‘Let
go!’ The order being instantly obeyed, the
unfortunate lady, instead of beiug comfortably
seated on the deck, as had been those who
preceeded her, was soused over head in the
sea!— Autobiography of a Seaman.
At some assizes, a country fellow was con
victed, and brought up and sentenced. The
judge asked him if he had anything to say why
sentence should not be pronounced, and was
somewhat astonished at the answer: ‘I don’t
know’* I bee; Paint got no moaey.’
What i<# the difference betwen one who
walks and one who looks up a flight of stairs ?
Obe steps up stairs and the other stares up .
"f"