South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1868-04-17

L II e 3 A AL CUP.

She was beloved by all-;he pet aud pride
of the whole village of N. Her ia
Their was farmer, aud che an only child
She had been wOocd aud won By one con-
sldered in every respect worthy Of her
Vivian Hall, son of the village doctor
they had grown up from CHILDHOOD togeth-
er, and their intimacy had grown with their
growth and strength ,nelw their strength,
until they found, if separatej, life would be
but a dull and blank void, and 50 they were
married on one bright May morning, with
the full consent of both parents
We will now peep in on them after three
years Of conjugal bliss, at their snug re-
treat, "Rose Cottage"
We do not find her as We supposed, en-
joying the company Of her husband a
little boy two years old is lying asleep on
the sofa; the shades of night are gather
ing around, and soon the room is left in
total darkness; her head sinks YEARLY o.
gainst the easement, and she, too, falls a
sleep; she is aroused by heavy hand be-
ing laid upon her shoulder, and we'll
known voice saying,
Asleep. Clair ?
She starts, and tries to pierce the dark
hCoN " huN NGO II III tue IOpil, Uub TIE
reassuring words Of her husband sets all
her fears at rest a, once.
SO that is the way you welcome me home,
you and Vivian fast asleep
Oh, Vivian, / was so tired waiting for
you; what kept you so late {?
Business in the city, my dear
The same answer as ,ho has recc we'd for
the last gear. The fact that her husband
is with her does not serve to dispel the
cloud upon her brow; she takes little Vivy
i'll her arms, who has awoke crying; and
carries him of to the nursery now he is
again asleep, and she dcscends to the Sit
ting room. Her husband is deeply absorb
ed in book; he does not turn and well
come her to his side 10y kind worl ar look i,
but continues steadily reading; she draws
ces sewing; but soon she folds it up with
the same weary look, passes around the Ia
bic to her husband, and presses a kiss up
on his brow; hc makes an impatient move
ment and says,
Clair you arc in my light
Size moves away tn her own room, two
great tears stealing down her checks, and
there gives vent to her sorrow:
why, oh {! why is it that Vivian treats
me 50? Have l not done all in my power
to make home happy? Gradually for the
past year has he grown colder aud colder,
until can hardly bear it,
She starts a fan; suspicion has passed
across her mind in the same moment 1t i
gone, but it has left its impress there, and
while she cries, M, NJ, | will not believe
it,. something whispers you may as we'll be-
lieve it now a5 later. Yes, Clair, you may,
for il Is all too true, he has tasted the ~
TAI cur; that is why he treats you with
such cold Indifference, and is N longer the
tender, loving husband and fond father
None but those WHO have FL; the came
h attending pangs can sympathizc with
ono who finds that her husband i gradual
Is slipping down from the high pedestal on
which she had placed Lin slowly but sure
II Slipping down, down in the great abyss
wide open TO receive him. With what
crushing weight tina: first conviction fell
could it be possible that he of whom She
was so proud, her noble Vivian be who had
promised to love aud cherish her as his own
life, could il be that lie was Welding In that
demon, intemperaucc, that destroyer Of do
nestle happiness, Of all peace, both Of the
mind and body, that instigator Of crime.
at which every feeling Of our nature would
revolt when free from It's baucful influence
/ Time will not allow me to follow him.
step by step, down tho broad road of ruin ;
We will allow three years more to pass a
way before We again visit them.
We reach Rose Cottage about five o'clock.
How sadly changed il Is how desolnte its
title garden looks Weeds have taken the
place Of all the rare plants VIC 50 much adj
mlreJ OF our last visit trees have fullcu
across the path and it is with difficulty we
reach tie door we lift tho pondcrous
kn1ckcr, aud az it fills &c can hear i. echo.
ing through the house by aud by we hear
footsteps approaching, aud beautiful boy
Of five SUMMERS opens the door, and we AT
once recognize our littlc friend WY.
On entering we find Clair sitting with
two children, ono upon her knee, Che other
standing by her side, both girls in every
feature of her face is traced the burden She
has TO boar one can sec at glance tina,
that grim spectre want has many time
paid a visit to this once happy home we
look around in vain for some If those little
elcgancies which always characterised tie
home Of the Halls they have al disappear
cd, and somo Of the nccessarics along with
them Since last we visited Rose Cottaro
Mr.. Willis and Nr Hall, senior, have both
died, leaving Clair without any earthly
friend 70 whom she can @ with sorrow
but We kEow that Their is One vbosdckc,h
closer than a brother, who is wiling to take
upon Himself AL our blrlcas add bear
them fJr IA
But am wandering ont Of ms path -
The children arc all AZ play, when sudden