The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1868-04-25

I the path of duty so narrow, ard so bes
by prickly thorns Why must he fig
such a perpetual battle with himself
Would it not be better to die at once
AS the vague, repining aspiration,
ter the peace and oblivion Of death can
} across his mind, there WAS crash
jar-a noise like the rending of beam
and splintering of arches--and Gervais
Cotton was thrown violently against til
side of the car, with a conclusion tha
for few moments deprived him of sens
or consciousness. Then he Struggle
up, sick and faint. into sitting position
and became aware that he was Surround
ed by dead and dying.
The train had run of the track, ant
the three foremost cars were precipitate,
into sort of gorge or declivity some
seven or eight feet deep, just beyond
Gervaise Cotton had wished for de,tl
here it was, face to face with him
No wonder that he shrank appalled, from
the ghastly sight.
steadying Himself by tie broken seat
he rose to his feet, convincing himself
that he was not seriousl Y hurt, beyond
a bruise or two, and began to assist his
less fortunate fellow travellers.
Almost directly behind him had sat
a man in q slouched hat and muflcd
face; he lay now beneath mass Of
spIintered woodwork and shivered glass
It's no use" he groaned teeb'y, as
Gervaise dragged away the super-in-
cumbent weight, and strove to lift him
up; "I'm dying fast; there's an ugly
cash on the back of my head that all
the surgeons in creation couldn't close
up again. Let me die in peace"
Why, it is Jotham Peck !" eyclaim-
ed Gervaise. recognizing the lawyers
voice, husky and faint, though it was.
Yes, Gervaise Cotton, it IS l." fall
tered the dying man. "Go back to FL
sic Miller, and tell her she is pennIess
once more. have risked her fortune
in railroad shares, and lost it; but if |
had succeeded-and they look promis-
ing-I should have doubled it for her
l was on my way to Europe. I dared
not lock her in the face, and tell her
what [ am telling you. But it is all
over now. God will Judge me more
charitably than man would have done
and I m ant well-indeed, indeed,
meant well. For"
There was a choking sort of gurgle i'll
his throat-a rush of crimson blood over
his lips-and the next moment Gerva;se
Cotton was holding a dead mans head
upon his knee. I'll. $3.50. -
Lost! My fortune all LIST! Stop a
moment Gervaise, and let -3e collect my
thoughts-my head is growing dizzy, 7
think" --- @.
Tlein Miller he'd cared as little Ior the
money glitter Of wealth as woman could,
and yet this shock came to her sharp
and sudden. No more luxury, no more
indolent indulgences, no more day dreams.
She must turn once more to the hard,
dusty l;shro2d of work day life; and
oh how lonely and desolate she felt IN
the contemplation of that new existence.
."Oh, Gervaise, Gervaise, what shall
I d32" ... ..-'
Tke words broke almost involuntaiily
from eI parched lips; there was an
gleam in her blue eyes.
al VIZ IL you, Elsie" he said, gent
ly taking ii her cold Auttering hands
in his. Ast yourself to me-give
your future TO my care. And may
Heaven be my Judge if everI fail in the
charge it has committed to me-" 49,.
g love you, Elsie-I would fain make
you my wife. That should surely be
plain enough" he saidfondly. brs- /
"But my money is all gone. I am
poor as. the beggars on yonder pave
ment.''- ". III. -. ...-. y
Il rejoice that it is gone, Elsie.
Your wealth has been barrier between
us long enough-now l may dare to
speak out what has been in my heart
for years. Thank God that you arg poor,
Elsie" RI r. ~,ssr.".-.. -
She looked at him with new light
breaking in upon her mind and memory.
: On' EefVa'ses now cruelty you have
me !" y 81. - rf...~5- ,r.. ..,"..
!" That's not the question, Elsie" he
answered, atenderly " "Will you be my
wife, VIII you give me the right to
care for you and protect you always o."
She laid her hot cheek upon his
shoulder. LII H. .s'9s54' @FG4j44
:" L have loved you, Geryaise, as, long
and as faithfully as yot have loved me"
The barrier was broken down at last.
and heart met heart. ,t, lJ3.
s"I [ am poor tonight" said Elsie. halt
jestingly, as she sat in the twilight with
her haseap e-imprisoP oPssAsa G ssE Eaiss,,se,
tender clasp, shut | think am richer
than have ever been before. fijFH /
She was an heiress no longer--she
was only plain litt1s1lll1e ~ : ct
aKably precious in Geryaise
gNon's eyes .ft}tt#
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