have filled the heart of his wife with joy unspeakable. Scarcely had
his lips touched hers, ere she started up, and flung her arms around
his neck, sobbing--

"Oh, my husband! My husband!"

If she had designed to say more, utterance failed, or was checked;
for she hid her face on his bosom, and wept like a heart-broken
child.

How sincere was Wilkinson's repentance for past errors in that
solemn hour! and how fervent was the promise of future amendment!

"I were worse than an evil spirit, to lay grief upon that gentle
heart, or to make of those loving eyes a fountain of tears!"

Such was the mental ejaculation of Wilkinson, and he meant all that
he said.

"God bless you, dearest!" he murmured in her ear.--"God bless you,
and take this shadow quickly from your heart! Believe me, Mary, that
no act of mine will ever dim its bright surface again."

Mrs. Wilkinson slowly raised her pale, tear-moistened face, and
fixed, for a few moments, her eyes in those of her husband's. There
was more of confidence and hope in them than pages of written
language could express. Then her face was again hid on his bosom;
while his arm clasped her slender form with a more earnest pressure.