The Winchester home journal. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1858-03-25

| pie unconsclousness. d
And therefore grew more dcmonstra.
tive. left flowers every morning upon
her doorstep, and saw them sometimes
worn in her bosom. watched her once
gathering and admiring some mosses,--
The next day left at the cottage most
beautiful collection, (Which cost ne full
three hours Iabor,) prettily garn'shed
with some shells FROM the beach.
yenturcl from flowers to fruit, and
every day some ragged prchin, picked up
on the road at the cost Of penny, would
steal up to the cottage and leave on the
doorstep a splendid cluster Of grapes, or
moss.set basket of fruit.
We were now fairly into September,
and went out frequently after par'ridgos,
and such game as the surrounding coun.
try afforded. | was not Jealous or de.
voted sportsman, and came back as
often with my baS empty as full, ln'
deed, used the sport mainly as a cover
for my advances upon more delccloblo
game; for no matter how often | might
meet the beautiful Mary, gun upon my
ann was always an excuse for my pres.
ence, and served frequently as a means
for a few chance words Of conversation.
But one day wandered mile or two
from the town, and in an opposite direc,
ton to the wooded path where my ram,
bling steps usually led me. | was after
birds in eager earnest upon this occasion,
for had determined to send the follow.
Ing morning to the doorstep Of my Ma.
ry's cottage as fine brace Of partridges
as could shoot.
At an unexpected moment, while in.
tenty pecring after my game, voices
broke u pom my ear from behind a copsc
close by-and one Of them | knew in,
stantly as Moy's. The other was a
youthful voice, but enthusiastically mascu.
line. The hot blood flew to my face, and
felt a quick pang shoot through my
heart-a jealous pang, if ever jealousy
there were.
OF course it was absurd. had as
much right to be ralous Of Mary Cole
as had Of the French empress; but, as
listened and heard that unknown voice
address her in words of endearment-
heard expressions of affection fall even
from her lips, felt the jealousy rising
hot ana furious, and great black waves
OF passion flooding heart and brain. In
from Mary's lips, | ground my heel into
the earth, shook my fists in the air, and
fuFousI Iy seizinS my gun, turned 10 with
draw. But the gun, | know not how,
caught in my dress by the lock. | an
: ;nstant violent explosion stunned and
shook my fsmc--a hot blast was blown
in my foce--a sharp, ringing pain shot
| through my shouder--a horrible dizz.
} ness and lainness came over mc-carth
and SKY mingled togcthcr--then darkness
and oblivion followed.
r could not have remained insensble
long. | awoke with sharp, intense
, pain in my right shoulder, and a numb.
ness extending all down my arm. The
first dawn Of consciousness was accom-
) panied by kind Of vague perception
of some one lowering over me-or a
bright face between. mine and the sky
} of an arm extended under and supporting
my head.
"Thank Heaven !" said a voice Of sup.
pressed joy.
, "Thank Heavenn muttcred |, incohe
rently, drawing my hand over my brow
"lor what?"
s The arm appeared to be carefully
withdrawn, and my head was allowed tc
} sink gently back upon the sod.
t "Are you better, sir 7" said swec,
voice; 81 hope your wound is not dan
t gerous; but you are iamt-i( they woulc
q but comet
lay still, and drank in with delicou;
t pleasure these words--lor they fell from
e the lips of Mary Cole. Faint, dizzy
! and bewiderad with pain as was, nevs
r before did | experience such thrill o
Joy as this knowledge afforded me--tht
n knowledge that lay there wounded, anc
e Mary Cole tending and supporting me-
n staunching my flowing blood uttcrinE
- words of sympathy and sorrow. al
It most forgot my pain in the wild happi
ness of the thought forgot the outbreaE
- of Jealous rage which had so nearly prov
ed my death, and seized by sudder
impulse, attempted to struggle to my
d feet, with some wild, vague intention o
. falling on my knees before her. But sbt
- caught my arm and pressed me back.
u you must not rise, sr-indeed, yol
s must not. You have started the blood
aGesh already. Lie perfectly quiet,
:. bescech you--hc p will arrive presently
- But | caught her hand-hcr white, ten
t der hand, stained, as it thrilled me to see
il with my blood, and drew her round before
!. me. was startled BY the deathIy pallo
: Of her face, and the wild fright in he
h eyes, but even as | lookel, warn
r. blush came mantling over brow an,
| cheek.
"What has happened ?" said |.