He was at that time given to
drinking, and almost every day became beastly intoxicated, abusing
his young wife so shamefully that her life became intolerable, and
at last when he was once absent from home for a few weeks, he
resolved upon going back to Europe, and leaving him forever. This
plan she confided to a maid servant who had accompanied her from
England, a resolute, determined woman, who arranged the whole so
skillfully that no one suspected their designs until they were far
on their way to New York. The old mother, who was then living,
would not suffer them to be pursued, and more than a week went by
ere Mr. Bernard learned what had occurred. He followed them of
course. He was man enough for that, but falling in with some of
his boon companions, almost as soon as he reached the city, he
drank so deeply that for several days he was unable to search for
them, and in that time both his wife and Miggie died."
"Oh, Mr. St. Claire," and Edith's eyes filled with tears.
"Yes, both of them died," he continued. "Mrs.
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