The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1869-07-07
\
per aAnnum, ,InAdvance.
mo. 3

turned and my heart ceased to trob as
my eyes met those of Philip Howard,
which burned into my soul. For q
moment he stood rigid and motion.
less, intently regarding me, then plao.
ed his hand in his bosom and drew
forth q pistol. Interpreting his dc.
sign, with the quiokness of lightning,
I sinterposed my body between him
and his mark and the ball that was
intended for the brave, pure heart of
my. betrothed,' entered my arm. I
lost consciousness, and knew nothing
more for hours. Ny landlady subse.
GaeatlJ told nis. that p Paui aud Philip
had both arrived on the afternoon
train! and both taken lodgipgs at the
inn. Paul had immediately been told
that | had returned to the village and
had gone on visit to the cottage. With
all llgpossible haste he had followed and
his road leading him by the graveyard,
he had there seen and recognized me.
Raul had scarcely vanished, ere Philip
also made enquiries concerning mo ana
was told the same thing. Being un-
acquainted with the place, he pursued
a different route to the farmhouse
and not finding noe there, was return.
ing by the graveyard. How great
must have been his surprise and grief
to behold the woman he loved clasped
to tho bosom Of the man who had been
for brief time his fellow-traveler
and of whose errand he 30 little
dreamed. When / recovered con-
sciouspess, I was lying in my little
room at the inn, with Paul sitting by
me, the shadow Of a deep sorrow rest
ing upon his fiae countenauce and his
dark, mournful eyes fixed upon my
face l suffered my lids TO- close
again and endeevored to collect my
scattered senses. I knew that I had
grievously wronged Paul and deter
mined toatone Tforit as far as lay in
myrpower; it.was not in my heart to
blight the beautiful garland of loye
he had woven in boyhood and cherish
ed so tenderly id manhood. 1t did
not occur to me that I would be sac
ridcing myself to marry him, for I
loved him, not rs, I7loved, the dark,
naughty man who had attempted to
take. his life in tho lone garden of the
dead, but as one loves the trees and
flowers, the birds the The stars stars, and the
gladstbtue'skyj $50 whensI wosiable
to converse I unveiled my heart to
him and when I had finished, begged
him to love and to trust me as before.
He opened his arms and said,
! "This is your home, Jessie. You
shall be the doyelet of my lone domes-
tis. tis bower and browning blessing Of ny
z" Philip Howard, T vas told, had In
gerea around the place until Iexhibi-
tod signs ofsrcturhing animation, and.
having been told by the lapdlady of
my long engagement to Paul, had de-
parted, no one know WHITTIER. Paul
had succeeded beyond his most san
guine expectations. His benefactor
had died and left him a sum sufficient
~ large to purchase a small hut
comfortable house in the suburbs
of the city. to furnish it neat
lyin an ample supply Of provisions.
He therefore determined to seek me
In Virginia and solicit my consent to
q speedy union. & For that purpose he
lad started on bis Journey, delaying
only, to visit his boyhood's home and
his mothers grave He felt hopeful
that a bright career was opening be-
fore him ard had planned for the
next two years, to attend lectures in
the winter and teach school in the
summer At tho expiration Of that
time, he would receive his diploma
and commence Che practice Of medi-
cine. When J. had, recovered from
tho effects Of my wound, Paul and
were quietly married in the village
church, and soon after, departed for
our western home. For two happy
years o J. was 'al loved and cherished
wife, with scarcely a,lregret, and
call God and all his holy angels
to witness that, I returned my bus-
bandsloye with all The devotion that
q - true woman should feel for
tho man, in whose hands she has
placed her ,destiny.,p Our household
was Q peaceful one and there was no
skeleton in the closet. At |; tho end OF
that period, Paulwas suddenly strick-
on down by a6haHgnant fever and out
offinf tho glory of his manhood,
What 7 suffered ae4I wiped the damp
dows from bis brow and watched his
dear eyes grow aim Ia death, God
only yFknows.I lie died With his head
resting uponssmy bosom, his ahand
elasped in mipe and q smile Of ineffa.
b blel o. sweetness tNaes lightingspps his divine
countenance.
n Two more years passed Quietly and
sadly away Oao evening I sat IN nv
little vine.wreathed portioo, Watching
thoerescent moon 90 she, slowly dis
a appeareds belind4 the wastern b;ila uat