Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-08-05

s... s. THE UNION, BASED UPON THE CONSTITUTIONS


home rapidly, and babe her good morning
with the most chilling and formal politeness.
h The next day in the afternoon, Kate call
ed to see her friend. Her eyes were red and
swollen. She had evidently been crying
bitterly. !.
What can be the matter, Kitty cried
Harry in astonishment.
\ Cousin Tom has gone. He left this
morning. And he sails for California in
the next steamer, to be absent three long
years. en~.
Isn't this sudden 2 said Harry.
His decision is; though he has been
thinking Of it for some time past. An old
classmate of his in college, who is going,
has been writing and urging him to accom-
pany him. Yesterday he telegraphed for a
final decision. Tom decided to go, and /
suppose his passage is engaged BY this time
We bitterly opposed it, and tried to dissuade
him but ia vain 7
She put her handkerchief to her eyes as
she spoke. The diamond flashed on her
finger. 4 s.-4st
Did he give you this as parting pres
entr asked Harry, taking her hand.
o. Harry, Harry sobbed Kate; but
her friend would not understand the lmpli-
ed reproach. She adroitly changed the sub
iect and TOMS name was avoided by both.
: Hardly had Kate left her when lady
rushed into the apartment where Mrs. Son.
.erset aud hex ueice were sitting. ssf
Have you heard Of the dreadful accidentr
she gasped almost breathless. The stage
coach upset this morning on the Dixheld
Hill, close by Carrollsburg!" she continued
and several Of the passengers were instant
" killed, others dangerously wounded
Mr.. Symmes had his ribs broken. and young
Tom Latimer was taken up for dead. lie
has been brought back to Squire Embury's.
DR.. Poindexter thinks he may survive thro'
the night, for his injuries are internal and
very severe 3 5Ha .i-
Harry's sewing-work dropped from her
nerveless fingers. She waited to hear no
more Of the particulars, which Mrs. Som
merset inquired about eagerly. She slip
ped out Of the room, and throwing shawl
over her head, ran, hardly conscious Of
what she was doing up to Mr.. Embury's.
In the gathering darkness, no one observ-
ed her, as she sped by side poth. She
saw DR.. Poindexters chaise at the gate,
and on the piazza she recognized the ply
sician, the whole family were clustered a.
round him, queitioning him anxiously.
She could not join the group. She stole
in at qack entrance, and entered the room
where she supposed Tom, would be He
was lying in bis dusty garments just az ., he
had been brought in on low couch. Inc
curtains we're drawn, but she saw that he
was vary pale.
No one was in the room, and as she ap-
preached him, and saw him lying there, SO
helpless, SO unconscious, and contrasted this
meeting with their last, she was quite over
come y.
Tears streamed from her eyes. She fell
on her knees by his side.
% Tom dear Tom Z she gasped, TAX
ing his hand, which hung heavily by his
side, .'do you not know me 1t is your
own Harry love you with my whole soul
oh for but one look, one sign, that you
forgive me for the pride that forbade me to
confess it and drove you from me.
She bent over him, and whispered in his
ear, I love you with my whole heart. Ii
you understand me, press my handY
Was she dreaming? His hand returned
her pressure; his eyes opened, and in
voice remarkably strong for dying man
he said, I am very glad of it Y sAss &
Harry sprang back, overwhelmed with
confusion. 74se5s@
Il thought-you were-fatally injured?
at last she stammered
4 am in the greatest danger at present
from an affection of the heart! he said, ris-
ing, ''of which, as you are the cause, l
trust you will undertake the curev &
He took her hand as he spoke. She at
tempted to withdraw it.
Let me go!' she said blushing deeply.
Not till you have repeated to the living
man what you were willing to confess to
the dying one.' a .a
He attempted 10 draw her closer to him !;
but sudden faintness stole over him. lie
staggered and, and would have fallen, had
Harry not sprung to his side, and assisted
him to regain his couch. siv@ na E ssf
Are you sure you are not seriously in
iured ? she asked in alarm, while she ap-
piled such restoratives as were at hand.
Not at all. I am only very, very weak
from the effects Of my fall
L shall ask the doctor for myself?' she
said when he once more declared himself
comfortable. +t@a
/ Tom was quite right. The doctor pro-
nounced him in no danger. and recommend
ed quiet as all that was necessary to restore
his system after the violent shock which it
had received. ..a A, sses .7aa h.
He had been stunned by the fall, and
taken up insensible; and rs it was feared
that he had sustained some internal injury,
it was not strange that the report Of his hope
less condition should have been general
His recovery was slow; for it was very
pleasant to lie on the sofa, claiming the at
tention Of Harry-as he did for some time.
In fact, he remained an invalid 50 long that
many sage old ladies shook their heads wise
ly, and talked Of internal injuries, which
would yet carry him off.
Toms friend was obliged to sail for Cali
fornia without him; for, at the appointed
time health was not sufficiently re-establish-
ed to admit Of his going; and after he had
quite recovered another circumstance occur
red which put an end to the proposed jour
ney. viz: his marriage took place as soon
as the preparations for grand wedding