The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1859-04-07
and darting among the tall trees, was
soon lost to sight.

soon lost to sight.
"Thank heaven it is over" muttered
lNcringer, as he turned into the road.
When Nays father had purchased
the ground surrounding the cottage
he had intended to clear it, and con-
vert the wild woodland into sub.
stantial farm; but death had called
him away ere his plans were consul
mated; and save a small spot of
ground behind the cottage, on which
the vegetables for the family was
raised, it still retained its wild uncul.
tivatcd appearance.
When May left lNcringer she passed
quickly among the trees; throwing
herself upon the vcranda that ram
along the front Of the house, she buried
her pale, haggard face in her hands,
and bowling her head on her lap, tried
to collect her scattered thoughts; but
this she found to be impossible; there
was terrible load of grief and mis-
cry at her heart, but she could not
comprehend its nature. In the mean
while the storm was fast attaining its
fury; large drops Of rain began to fall
and in her exposed condition Nay was
soon drcnched to the skin; but she
needed it not; no rain could wash
away her sin and shame.
May never knew how long she re-
mained on the vcranda; but her moth
er's voice at length aroused her from
the stupor into which she had fallen.
Slowly she arose from her seat, and
throwing back the mass Of wet dish
evelicd hair from her face, she tottercd
to the door, opened it and went in.
"Oh, May! my child, what ails you!
Where have you been"
"Mother, am not Louis Weringcrs
wife; it was a mock marriage"
She had nc time to see the effect OF
her words, for at that instant u vivid
flash Of lightning Illuminated the
room. A loud roar Of thunder, ac-
companed by loud crash, and cry
Of human agony followed. In an in
slant she was again beneath the gloom
of night. Another flash of Lightning
served to show her the object of her
search A few feet from where she
stood lay the body OF - mighty oak,
at lcnth uproolcd by the storm, which
for ages it had successfully resisted.
And beneath the fallen tree lay man,
still and moionlcss. Assisted by the
gardner and his wife, May soon had
the injured man placed upon the sofa
in the little sitting room. An express
sion Of horror escaped her lips as the
light, falling upon his face. revealed
the features of Louis Meringer. As
May turned quicklcy away, her eyes
fell upon her mother, who was sitting
upright in her chair, her eyes open
and staring, while her face WAS as
pale and rigid as that ola corpse. But
these accumulations OF misfortune
seemed to give the hitherto timld girl
new strength. She had her mother
conveyed Immediately to her room,
and by the aid Of reStoratives. soon
had the satisfaction oISceing conscious
ness return. On returning to the sit
ting room, May found that Martha
had brought cot into the room, upon
which Meringer now reclincd. Thank
ing her for her lorcthought, May dis
missed her to attend on her mother,
while she took her place at Meringcr's
side.
4 have sent William for your father
and the doctor, said she, calmly, as she
approached the couch where Louis lay,
after giving some Instructions to the
gardner; in the meantime, hope you
will tell me if there is any thing can
do to relieve YOU
Merngcr slowly opened his eyes.
May, although | deserve your scorn
remember it is but a poor triumph to
mock dying man
The voice was so low and broken
so unlike his former confident tone,
that, in spite of her endcavors, May
could not appear unmoved.
God forgive me- she answered. If
there was aught Of mocllcry in my
tone; there was none in my heart
'Con you forgivej me, MayF The
words came fearlulIy and spasmodic'
ally.
May heaven forgive you as freely
and fully as do this moment, she
answered. in a low, icrvent tone.
God bless you, May, you have re-
lieved my heart Of terrible load,'
For a few moments there was dead,
silence. lIeringer then spoke; Nay,
when you left me at the gate this
evening, thought we had met, for the
81. -. lo,yan bod ,uilla1 10