Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1855-03-31

mark upon its victim.
-Four weeks ago became a mother,
continued the mournful voice of the beau
tirul invalid before me. A slight rustic.
accompanied by that soft mdrmurIng
sound, of contented, prolonged grant,
peculiarly inlantiIe, proceeding from the
satin-spread hanging crib, little back
from the fire, attested the truth as to the
presence of new liie-bud in the cham
Der.
.Doctorr exclaimed she in a suddenly
altered voice, i must speak at once and
TO the point. | have no friend; not one
amongst all the glitering croud, who
throng around me, not one | can trust. l
saw you, year or more ago. | have
also heard much of you. With your per-
mission, will coDhde my sorrows and
wishes to you, asking your aid and ad-
vice.
Her form was trembling with emotion
as she spoke, and her dark blue eyes
were filled with tears.
'Whatever | can do for one so young
and apparently so much distressed | will
freely do replied taking her slender
white wrist between my fingers.
Thank you! it was the reply | expected
you would make and the feeble, WHY
pulse under my fingers gave sudden
! bound.
well, then, doctor, continued she, af-
ter long pause, i must quit this house
and New York, and 90 where ! can find
place, alter my health is somewhat re-
cruited, to earn the means Of subsistence
for myself and little one | looked a
round upon all the elegancics scattered
about, wandering what could prompt Tie
NECESSITY OF one IN her condition 10 ton
for her bread.
Ny glance was interpreted and answer
| ed
My husband is the owner of this
wealth, but his mind has been poisoned
against me. He is now on his way rrou
Europe. must leave the house before
he returns. One day he may know my
truth. One day we may again be happy
together; but now must flee from him
The ominious cough alone broke the
silence that followed the dcaIararion.-
The lady again proceeded but with emo.
| ton
Doctor my husband has been absent g
year lacking few days; my boy is jus,
one month old.
Fran COne nvCtoriOrIC ooucn boUo boor,
made the exception of the general law oI
nature; for strange, incredible as it NAV
seem, my husband and none other--oh,
God! none olher--iS the father of my
babe
| looked at the pure young face before
me--voice, look, tone, manpcr, all assur-
ed me that she was speaking the truth,
that guile dwelt not in that simple, earnest
heart.
Il believe YOU replied |, cause of a
like nature, proved beyond all possibility
of doubt, are on record
God bless you, doctor!' uttered she
lervently, suddenly grasping my hand.
My dear husband might also have be-
Iieved the simple truth | speak, had not
one, an inmate now of this house, who
formerly laid her snares to catch his un-
appropriated heart, falling in herself my
bitlerest enemy under mask Of seeming
friendship towards me-
Whilst she was speaking, the door was
Suddenly and violently thrown open, and
a man in dlsorderet dress and hair, strobe
hastily into the room.
Herbert! Dearest! Is that you? And
the pale young wife with one bound
sprang into his arms.
Raising his arm aIoft,a cleaning weap-
on was sheathed in her fair bosom, and
before arm could save or thought conceive,
the slumbering infant was caughtfrom its
cradle and hurled through tie rapidly
raised window into the street below.
Dreadful ! dreadful murmured the
mother who had sunk softly on the floor.
| had sounded the alarm in the house.
and returning to the assistance of what |
knew 10 be dying women, another fear
ful sight met my view.
The murderer had buried the bloody
steel, warm with the heart pulse Of his
victim, into his own dark breast.
Whilst supporting the dying mothcr,af.
lording her what help | might, the room
became crowded.
A young lady with dark cleaning eyes
and raven hair rushed wildly in, and
going up to Herbert bent in deep concern
over him.
oh, Herbert, speak TO me--great God
| have killed him! and she buried her
face il her hands and groaned aloud IN !
anguish Of spirit.
'Ah, Florence said the gentle wife
family, If il had not been your UnFulh
we might have been happy; for here, as