Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1857-01-08

I effHe yss Vtrs-~o, ara ~ wssfed bot fsv
minutes sf the hsar appoia,sd for tho ssre-
mony, when Harry Helen cousin lgroving
aneasy at the Proiracted absence Of Els
north bad gone over TO the village 10 quest
OF him He came harrying back. aud mo
uonipg 70 me to como cut, informed me tha,
he Vas nowhere TO be fouad his room was
uaoesupisd. aud that note, hspdinr me one
addressed to Helen, was all the trace he
could hnd Of bin aud nov somsthing m u,t
have happened, aud how will We break /. to
hsri
Give mo the po,e,' said Hslss. who. Nm
pstes,ysd bJ us in the deepening twilight,
had glided noiselessiy out, aud was stapdior
nv my sids We returned 10 N. rooy,
where, after reading it. she hastily cru.hsd
u In her hand, aud said, very calmly, 'Har.
ty. tell uncls TO come up and will explain
10 bim'
Uncle she said, On his appearance, Mr.
Elsiorth has been Unexpectedly allied avay
upon something OF importaucs; he will no,
be back for Some time. but will not he dis
appoint these people, bat have ball She
tripped lightly down stairs. and as she sp-
peared gay aud happy, the story was readi.
ly believed alone Of all the crowd was
not deceived l had noticed the desthly
pallor on her. face. VIXEN sSe read the note
knew thst though the face was masked
with smiles, bitter, bitter thoughts were
swelling up in the heart beneath Not obss
duriug the whole evening did her spirit,
fail her-pride sustained her we'll but when
she reach her own room she threw herself
upon the bed, aud gave way to bitter gash
Of tears When succeeded in getting her
little calm, she banded me the note IL
ran thus
'HELES,-Ere you receive this. will be
far away Forgiveness I canuet ask. but
forget, as oue every way uuuOrsby Of ysu,
ELsSoRTH
'Forssken, deserted, my iovs .corued. nv
heart broken never mention that mama 20
me, nor never tell any one not even nv un
ole, the contests Of that note were her in.
functions to me. lsft soon after for home.
as my presence could do Helen no gsed, aud
did not hear from her for some months =
One day was surprised by q visit from
Harry, who was the bearer Of letter from
Hslsn9 he also brought an urgent rsquss,
from bis uaeie, that would accompany him
home, as he thought my presence might
cheer Helen some, as she seemed to be daily
dropping aud piniag AVA They knew tho
cause Of her grief, but she would no. allow
any mention made Of it 10 her presence.
read the letter with many tears it was the
vail frsm breaking beart--the crushe1
flower was sending cut its sweetest perfume
the delicate harp sifiags had been touch.
ed BY discordant baud, hut we're sending
'orth their sweetest notes found Helen
but shadsU Of her former self bat oh so
beautiful, pale, but with burniRg hectic on
each cheek, which teld that Death had set
his zeal there. could no, repress m y tears.
as thus gazsd upon her. She told N net
20 grieve, that her heart vas broken, aud ell
her earthly ties severed MY uacle will
miss ms awhile, bat you must come aud live
with Harry, and comfort him; be has al.
ready asked you. | know have sought
and found here said she, placing Bible in
my hand, the love that knows no ehapge
NJ = treasure is laid up in Heaven and now
my last commission is, IL you see ElEaorth
ever again, which know you will, | feel il.
give him that Bible, aud tell him freely
Ergave him, And givS him thi, as my great.
est earthly treasure had wheeled her
chair one evening 10 the window. that to
gethsr Nc nigh, admire the sunset. aud the
gorgeous piles Of purple aud golden clouds
Which It was slowly sinking behind We
heard step On the gravel walk ii slen
looked up. but before she could utt,T word
foTm was ia the rOom-she was clasped TO
Elsnorth's bosom 'Hsleur was ell that
was uttered but in that one word was love,
suPplieation aud repentance Shs elasped
her arms lightly around bis usek ia token Of
forgiveness bat IL was as feared The
slender thread oflife was snapped the freed
spirit was gone
She died With the flowers, aud the oi 4 slm
under which they bad made her grave. sent
down a shower e its leaves, which 10 all
1 tha Aou.y 49,, H. -.
\ ing ia the sunlight ssd tnoouheass, with =
monrnfal, rustliog sound, upoa be- eofia
| As still fingered by the neH.mads grave,
I Eas svars Of the presence Of SIR Elsnofth
/ ! gave him the messsgs aud tue Bible, and
/ Il vas there be tsld me why hs had desert.
/ ed her IN tbs bridal Tie bad been married
/ when quiis ysnng % sweet and interesting
/ girl She only lived fcv mea,hs, aud
I When on her death led had sHasted pro.
/ misc from bim never @ m4rry sgsin Srv
I ersl ysars elapsed when be met with Helen
I Leslie he tried not 70 lsvs her. not 10 think
/ Of her bat before her pure leyeliness and
faseination of nsanners be frgoi BIZ httt love,
/ his promise bas vixen aloos. Ms pro
I miss vooi8 come mp Ike some DARK phsn
ton spd almost drive him 70 q fpair ~
I nally on the very eve ~ msrfiags Ia 4 81
of almost inasaity. be lsft Helen forsgsr -
lie tried, IN ohAsks of scene, - fsTgst u all
I bat eonseieacs rspr0yed kin more Tor faith
Iessosss % tie living shsn che dead, snl be
\ reiaFued 70 eravs her forKiveness sud make
her bis wife, tut only saH heF laid in tbs
! grave
u ths snsuibE spfiug. Harry ani ssr'
msrfisd and cnns 3, tsks her pises 10 its
housshsld ST. Leslie never recovered from
iho shook ~ Hsisu's death asd IN fss short
yssrs VS. lsil ~ heF side
DEATH.