Town and Country, page 49 by John S. Adams
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d to await her. Yet a change came over her; she thanked God for his past mercies, and wisely trusted him for their continuance. She implored pardon for past ingratitude, and prayed that she might be more grateful in future, and that, having tasted of the cup of sorrow, she might not drink the bitter draught.
CHAPTER VII.
The next morning Edward repented of his crime, and in his inmost soul felt it to be such,--a crime of deepest dye.
Emily wept as she bent over him.
"Cease thy tears," said he, "and forgive; it is but that word, spoken by thee, that can send peace to my soul. Yet what peace can I expect? I have wronged thee!"-and the wretched man wept like a child.
New thoughts continually sprang into existence,--the days of his youth, the bliss of home, and his present situation. He felt disgraced;--how should he redeem his character?
"O, that the grave would hide me," continued Edward, "and that in death I might forget this crime! But no! I cannot forget it; it will cling to me through life, and the future--"
He would have said more, but the strong emotions of his soul choked his utterance.
He arose and paced the room in agony of feeling which pen cannot describe. Suddenly halting, he gazed steadfastly upon the face of his wife. It was deadly pale, and a tear dimmed the usual lustre of her eye.
"Comfort thyself," said he; "no further evil shall come upon thee. It shall never be said you are a drunkard's wife,--no, no, no, never!"
"Let us, then, forget the past," said Mrs. Dayton.
"What! forget those days when I had not tasted? O, misery indeed, if I cannot retain their remembrance!" said Edward.
"Not so, Edward; we would remember those, but forget the evil that has befallen us,--all will be well."
"Do you-can you forgive?"
"God will forgive; and shall not I?"
"Then let this be a pledge of the future;" and, taking her hand in his, he said; "