Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1857-11-20
Mot before. Faith. h. .,p.I,lii,gd rpe.pI,lii,sgd. Lei

Mot before. Faith he replied Let
me go now, -,
Oh, Walter. I would almost give IL my
life if ! could only see you two happy to-
gether.' = 2a5 90
Faith. Faith. how little you know Of
what you talk That woman as,embit-
tered my whole life; she has destroy ed
my confidence in every human being; she
has deceived. betrayed and disgrsced me.
And yet know if l should look but once
upon her face ! should forgive her all u
for | loved her. Faith, loved her more
than my life. Sister. l must not see her.
When she has left you. 1 will come back
again-till then. fare well T.
He kissed her fondly. shook hands with
her husband. patted the golden heads OF
the children and was gone. The, young
husband and wife looked after him wist:
fully. A cloud seemed to have covered
the bright spriug sky, and the little, par>
lor of the cottage seemed lonely and de-
serted when they again eptered it. be.
cause of the mystery which might be
guilt that was even then sheltered within
its peaceful walls.
CHAPTER SECOND.
Walter Roscoe, turning away from his
sisters home, thought sadly Of the many
days that must elapss before he entered
it again. He thought of Gertrude. and
as his mind dwelt upon her. again and
again did her image come up before him.
as he had seen her last.
Have | not wronged her p he thought
as he paced the floor of his office that ev.
ening. '1sit not possible she may be in.
nocent. though appearances are strongly
against her ? Shall l not see her once
more Pshaw what fool am Did
| not see her there beside him Did |
not sec his lips meet hers? Ill had ask.
ed for better proof than my own eyes
have given me, | must be madman. l
will leave this place, and never return un-
til she has gone away
He threw few things into valise-
locked the writing desk beside him. aud
stepped out into the street. valise il hand.
locked up his office. and walked away
His residence was long distance from
the garden Of his sisters house. and yet
it was there he found himself after hur-
ried walk of some FIVE minutes. He lift
ed the latch of the gate and entered.
1t is the last time, Gertrude, that l
shall be SO weak he murmured, as he
looked up at the vine curtained window,
where a lamp was still burning The last
time shall be so near you Oh Ger.
trude, can you dream what you have
done. or is your heart all marble q
He buried his face in his hands. and
weps like child. The memory of the
happy hours he had spent with her came
over him too strongly 10 be borne. He
could only meet such remembrances with
tears.
When he looked up again. be was con-
scious Of an unusual hustle in the house
Lights were moving hur'irdly in several
directions, and once or twice be caught a
glimpse of his sisters figure passing the
window Of Gertrude's room. What could
it be ? Was Gertrude i'll
His heart stood still at the thought
He could bear never to look upon her
face again; but oh. the grave must not
cover it from him He sprang up The
path. and was about to enter, when the
door opened, and Alfred Egerton came
out.
You here. Walter I he exclaimed,
starting back, as the pale face Of his bro
ther met his eye. Faith just told me to
go for you when l had summoned the
doctor.
The doctor J. said Walter, turning
pale. as he found his worst suspicion re-.
allied. Who wants the doctor p
Miss Alewynne is very ill., replied
Alfred. She is threatened with the brain
fever. think
'Oh. merciful Heaven! The unhap>
Py man staggered and caught his broth.
er's hands TO steady himself.
Alfred looked at him moment, and
then said soothingly. Walter. it will not
do for me to stay here a moment. But
90 in and see Faith; she will comfort ou'
He wrung his hand sympsthisingly. and
hurried away.
Half.buried with his unshed tears. the
unhappy young man enter>d the house.
and seeing his sister at her writing desk.
in the parlor. sank down at her feet, and
hid his face in her lap.
viii she die. Faith 2 he asked.
| hope not. my poor Walter. But she
is very ILL answered Faith, laying her
hand upon his head Our own doctor is
with her now. and Alfred is just gone for
another
What are you doing . he asked. look.
ing up at the balf.fnished note before
her.
Wiring to her brother to come to
het. replied Faith.
Il did nj know she had one, Faith
'Oh. yes. hav. never seen him bat
she sent me his portrait once. You know
she added. with faint blush. il was
quite dream With us y hen We we're girls
that she wished me 10 marry her bro.
Lher. and wanted her to marry mine.'
Il know-I know. said Waiter, and an
inde6nable expression. of pain a.tted over