Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-04-11

then with an exclamation OF anger, drew
little May closer to her side, and hurried
away. The strangers did not seem to
notice her, but passed on as if nothing
had happened.
That night about IL o'clock, Ephraim
Stubs, Esq, host of the village hotel,
was aroused from his slumber by rap
ping upon the front door of his house and
upon opening it found to his surprise,
little May seated upon the step crying |;
he took her by the hand and kindly asked
her what was the matter.
Grandmother is dying" sobbed the
child, and she sent me here to tell you
to call up the strangers and fetch them
to her house, for she must see them be-
fore she died"
"What see the strangers at this time
of night" he exclaimed with surprise,
impossible but what can she want with
them, and dying tool"
g. don't know" replied May, "she
said she must see them at any rate"
why, she is crazy, that's evident, :"
he said.
80 no, she is not at all crazy, I'm
sure"
"Not crazy it's strange, indeed; but l
rather guess I'll call them and see what
will come of it." Thus saying, he pro-
ceeded into the house, and soon returned,
followed by the strangers
Passing through the town, they shortly
reached the house of the Old Witch, and
entered. preceded by little May, exclaim-
ing" I've got them, grandma I"
The old woman was reclining upon a
bed in one corner of the large room,
which was family illuminated by can
die, placed upon stand beside her; the
strangers approached her bedside; but,
on beholding her countenance, both start
ed back with horror and surprise, ex-
claiming" Mary Melville !"
Ha ha ha laughed the old woman.
II see you know me; yes, James Haw-
ker, and you who once was Mary Stone,
you see before you the wreck of the once
proud and accomplished Mary Melville. F."
And flush of pride spread over the
pale features of the dying woman.
"How came you here, in this situa-
ton Z" asked the strangers, as soon as
they had recovered from their surprise.
"Come nearer, both of you" she said
and | will explain. You well remember
four years ago we all lived in the city Of
B.. I was then happy; cheerfulIy did
| engage in all the pleasures and enjoy
ments of the fashionable circle in which
] moved. All ! I was indeed happy then.
" Twenty years had passed away since
l first entered society as an heiress, and
strange as it may appear l had never
loved. No, among the many suitors
who had knclt at my feet, not one had
awakened response within my bosom
at last, James, l saw you o, that that
time had never been! alas, sorrowful
event for me.
" From the first time saw you loved
you; yes, my whole nature was aroused,
and loved you with deep, fervent,
and passionate love those feelings so
long slumbering within my bosom were
awakened, and for the first time I felt
their power.
II confessed all to you; but horror
seized my mind when learned from your
own lips, that you loved another O,
the agony Of that momentl my hopes
we're forever crushed, aud / was nearly
mad. You were married Gradually
the feelings Of sadness within my mind
gave place to those of revenge; yes,
hated my successful rival with deter
mined hatred.
e. One year rolled around and you be-
came a father; yes, fair girl was your
child. then saw chance to get that
revenge for which so long had vainly
sought, and"
Merciful Heaven I" shrieked the now
terribly excited stranger, as she grasped
the old woman's hand, and gazcd into
her face with streaming eyes, "can you
tell me anything of my long lost child I?
speak, implore you p
"Ha ha hal" laughed the dying wo-
man, eyes, can tell you of her; bat
be patient, for am weak and shall soon
be gone"
'T hired a rnffan N Ataal ro,,. I'LL