Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1854-09-21

been ill-uas still suffering from debility !:
bu. that be must not Be troubled about il
nor ~ painfully surprised by Ter changed
anpearapcs. Wien he should return in the
snr;pg Not one word Of the dread, last
parting before tem-of the grave, which
might
apiv,i III. hid rroonr and tskeffou his side
The Tepose il ~ ls,.on, his beautiful bride
Az length MAY me around again, and
Nth II returueo-s Z, Liam Gordon, the young
Il clergyman. HeNs bowed 70 earth by the
great and uploo "a for affection which a.
waited lsm-yet msekly drank be the bitter
cup, fer his God Ia mingled it
sTesi % { 49,. s.p, 49, ron :
poor William became intensely DESTROYS that
their u ion might take place Anuie's friends
readily assented, but she to our surprise,
fBally refused to grant the mournful request
Of her broken hearted lover.
One evening be vas sitting alone by her
side, as she was halfreclining on couch; the
hectic flush was more startling bright than
! usual on her cheek, for she had suffered
much that day, aud as he thought how very
near might be the dark wing of Gods dread
angel, be took her wasted hand in his and
/ said
s0h. my Annie, let me call you wife, be-
1 fore you leave me You would not be so
utterly lost TO me then, for | would know
you bearing that sacred name in Heaven -
! Refuse me not, love.
'Oh, William, William, urge me no long
err, she replied lit must not, cannot be.
am the bride Of Heaven, you must not Be
my husband, aud hear me, dearest you must
no longer be near me-your love is precious,
but it Is earthly, and comes as a cloud be-
tween me aud the glories Of that upper world,
to which hasten Your voice, my own, is
sweeter to me than the hymns Of angels,
heard il my dreams of heaven We must
part, ow--for every hour renders you dear
er, and how can | leave you at last
With heroic aud martyr like calmness
spoke the mistaken girl-mistaken, for pure
love, for one worthy. is the hcliest and sweet
est preparation for His presence who lis lsye'
William Gordon saw her frmness, ana
that she was weak and trembling from the
excitement Of the seence, and
Ia close heart shutting up his pain
resolved to yield instant and accomplishing
obedience to her wishes He rose up calm
ly aud imprinted on her forehead kiss of
mingled love and anguish, turned and
was gone Annie buried her face ia her
thin white hsads, aud remained 10 agony
Of grief Then came vague regrets for the
course she had taken, and painful doubts Of
the necessity Of the sacrifice she had made.
Presently she heard well known step
William had returned His calmness had
forsaken him, and he murmuFed imploring-
ly-
If l must leave you to die alone, Annie,
let me fold you once more to my heart, be-
f,,r1 c.a----te-- -.ll esa4yf51st ls D
n kuelt on one knee brsIFe mr. rrarTI.u
forth his arr.- end sobbed lib a Child as she
leaned upon bis bosom
No word was spoken by that pair, loving
and faithful unto death, while the flood OF
sorrow Of the souls great deep was broken
up. Yes. silent, but not fearless, kaelt
William Gordon, With his lips pressed a
gaipst the dear head which lay upon his
heart. AT last hs raised his eyes heaven
ward, aud those lips moved in whispering
prayer-he unwound his arms, would have
1 risen. but Annie moved not-she was clineh-
|. ing 70 his breast A smile ofjoy irradiated
ehis sace, and his arms once again EMBODIED
her She look up aud murmured with some
thing of her old playful tenderness, more
touching than the widest bursts Of grief
I Are you not stronger, dear William =
I All, fear not, my love
This is strange, for when | felt the
strength ebbing from my heart, thought
it h d flowed into yours
Thank God for the weakness which is
lovelier than strength | must never leave
| you. Annie 7
Naver u
The morning Of the wedding day had
come. and was arraying Annie 10 her bril-
dal dress beautiful muslin, guiltless Of
ribbon or lace, wished to Irvine in her hair
a small string of pearls. which was once her
| mothers, but she gently put il from me.
+ what no ornaments b inquired.
/. None she replied sbut--yes-if you
win 60 into my garden, you win find love-
| .ly white rose tree, which William planted
F:Rhen first knew him bring me one Of its
buds, aud | will wear it in my hair
X l have seen brides radiant in healthful
bloom, glittering in jewels, dazzling in sat.
/ ms, rich wells and costly wreaths, but never
I have beheld one so exquisitely, so won
! derfully beautiful as that dying girl. with
/ her dress of simple white, her Que floral or
nament, the dsWy lustre of her soft blue
eye, and the deepened hectic Of her cheek.
| When the ceremony was to be performed,
| she wished to rise and as she was too weak
10 stand alone, stood BY her side and sup
portedher. She smiled sadly, as she whis-
| pered-
You remember, Grace, promised that
! YOU should be my bridesmaid
As tho beautiful marriage ceremony that
! af the Fnoiish Churchl proceeded the face
IF the bride became expressive alternately
| If earthly Ind Of heavenly love, Of softness
and sublimity, Of the woman and OF the an
gel, till it grew absolutely adorable. At the
last. she received the fearful congratulations
of her friends with. a.eraceful manner and
With the most cheerful smiles playing about
Ser lips. -
/: Il vas morning, a morning born OF bloom
and beauty, so soft. 50 glowing, It seemed
Ike r.i.bOw eI.spiax the street. earth,
4: And melnng IN . covenant Of 1--we.
+ Annie Gordon was lying on her couch BY
an open window, with her fair head support
"a on the breast Of her husband. And she
"a fathers JOY, brothers pride, the wife
az two short reeks. was leaving Us now
1 Every sunbeam which looked into her eyes
saw Der violet hue grow paler, and every
soft air which kissed her faded lips bore
back fainter breath on its light piaion---
Her dnating father knelt in Q deep trance Of
grief At her side. stood holding one Of
her hands in mine, while at her feet sat her
younger brother, Arthur Moore, weeping
with all the uncontrolled passionatcncss o.
hoyhood-
Annie had lain for some moments appar
L.-s -