South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1867-11-29

her eyes were on che scarletcoals. when the
door softly opened and HunCcrforl entered.
She had not heard the bell, and a blush
Of surprised pleasure colored her face. She
would have risen 20 herfcot but he advanc-
ed quickly aud said
Don't rise, l beg; receive mo rs if 7
were at home, as IL were friend who did
not require an observance YOU Yield to So
cicly'
His voice had uuconsciously new tone
in it. The fact of finding her alone, at last
with him, oyerpowered the last scruple that
had remained with him for tho past two
months.
lie could nos resist that time and place,
that presence that was more Intoxicating to
him than wine had ever been
i thought ycu were at the party she
said, strange and tempting weakness sud-
denly cncircling her
Il have been there, but could not remain
when you were absent, and was too weak
to resist the temptation of coming heroic
lind you alone. Do you know, he said,
bending impcrcoplbly towards her, aud gaz-
ing into her very soul with his dark. fam
ing eyes, do you know, Mrs. Willoughby.
with whata terrible hunger and thirst
have longcd to see you alonc-to meet I'm
hindcred the glance Of your cyes-iust to
touch your hand, and no hand upon US O,
for the love Of Heaven, DO not interrupt
me ! am frightened Mt my own happi-
ness. What have you done to me? | am
only happy when with you'll am misora-
bic away from you.
lie paused moment when she sat treln-
bling by his side, not realizing what he
meant, her very reason seeming to totter
upon its throne.
With a quick, Involuntary movement he
leaned still nearer her, and he took both
her hands in his warm, fervcnt clasp while
he murmured, Dearest =
All the ardor Of his soul was in that sim
gle word. He held her glanco-hor whole
being was trembling upon the edge of the
guif-a horrible and yet a tempting abyss
awaited her as she sat enchanted by the mag
netism of his presence.
n tumuituous triumph rose in his soul.
lie drew her yet nearer, whispering:
You are my own, for L love you more
than any one can love you cannot live
without you ! Let me live for you
swear to make you happy
She could not utter word much less
could she clEaw--frJif- hrs eirllbraerzAor re-
move her eyes from his her entire beiag
was fascinated by that large, dark, passion
ate glance.
'Confde in me- he said half alarmed by
her manner you shall never regret it.
Do l brighten you with my violence? You
viii tell me that You love me
The sharp ring Of the door-bell, sounded
through the house Mrs. Willouehby start
ed like one awakening from a dream, and
passed her hand over her eyes, while Hun
gcrfOrd rose to his feet, a curse struggling
to pass his lips. Her emotion was ut high
tide now would it ever be 50 again o.,
ne could not be disappointed here
The mex moment, slow, heavy steps we're
heard along the hall, aud then ;he parlor
door was opened by Mr.. Willoughby, who
stood an instant with his hand pressed to
bis side from which COED slowly dark drops
Of blood His face was SNOWY. and heloot
ed at his wife, trying to utter some cxpla-
nation then he dropped scuseloss upon tho
carpet.
In that instant, the woman forgot every
thing but her husband and that She loved
him. She kDclt by him and found the
wound from which be bled.
Hunecrlorl advanced and offered his aid,
The sound ofh voice appeared 20 accuse
her Of her husbands misfortune. Shelook
cd up with the eyes Of some wounded and
beautiful wild animal, and exclaimed:
leave me Never let me sec you again.
[ know not what horrible power you had
attained b1t IL is over Go, ] say. Cor
Uuugerford looked once more at her
never had he loved her so much with ali
that he could call love. He turned and
left the house, and the next day he had lcf.
the city, and he never saw Marion Will
loughby sgaiu.
The surgeon came AID examined tho
wound, pronounced j. severe but not dan
gcrous. 10 was q pistol SHOT tho result Of
one ofthosc accidents so common; tho weap-
ON, in The hands Of novice, had been nc
cdcu'aiiy discharged, aud Wilioughjy was
the victim
The surgeons words proved true. and in
that long illness and conyalescnce, the wife
learned again and surely, that she loved
thc husband she had chosen, above every-
thing aud any Misunderstanding that had
darkoned their lives was forever explained.
Ia tbo assured happiness that followed. Sic
at last learned to look back upon Dor ac-
quaintanccw with IIungcrford without shad-
der, with only sigh Of thankfulncs5 tina.
90 had boon no worse.
-
ETsticl, 70 that word S,1eer.' Il. Is
worth is weight iu gold. Cling to It as n
drowning mau cling. 10 "a ror,s C-,.., -