The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1869-07-12

8mpics, linen as The tears filled her eve!
tM her heart beat with awakened and re
a'izing sorrow, she took his band ant
pressed it passlonately to her lips, AMI
cried out in deep agony of tone:
"Oh, my kind, my noble husband
how can let the depart from me! How
can / allow the cruel, dark grave take
away the one, who. in my sorest need,
came between me and my wretched, mis-
cradle past life? 1t must not, must no,
DO; for as yet, have not half repaid thee
for the kindness thou hast over shown
toward me-" and she held his hand
tightly within her own, covering them
with soft, carrcssing kisses, and pressing
them passioDately to her heart. but the
voice Of her husband nov came upon her
ears again; and he said in soothing ten.
der tones, in Which love and reverence
and deepest affection were blended:
"Do not grieve thus, my own dearest
wife! 'Tis best that should 90. l sec
it plainly now; and though glieycd a,
iirst: and was not willing 10 have it thus,
yet ! have become rccoucilcd to the will
of One who docth all things well. Twill
be hard to partfrom thee, Jennie, and
the more SO now, that | feel you sincerely
care for ne, as have sometimes felt it
might be too much 10 expect that held
more than thy respect. But now shall
depart with greater happiness in my
heart tor my young and wolsbippicd wife
has ever been sincere in her affecliua TO-
ward her elderly husband"
The tears of the wife and her affection
ate manner-for She threw herself upon
her husbands bosom-altcsled 10 him
more than the broken words she uttered,
that he had won raore than her respect,
aud he pressed her with fond emotion TO
hi, heart,
After this hour. in Which the duchess
learned thctruc state OF her husbands
health, she devoted herself entirely to the
remaining days Of Ills life, sitting with
him and attending 10 every want Of the
now rapidly failing invalid. AT length,
one day, George Whitaker desired her to
send summons to Frauce TO her cousin,
The Duke de Bridgcnorth, and request
that young uobleman to hasten with all
possible dispatch to LONDON and to their
presence, and asrecaLly to his command
the letter had been Forwarded 10 her
nobleman COUSIN. is s;r a..
Some Two weeks had gone by siuce the
message had been sent, and in that period
a rapid change was perceived by those
who watched about The bedside Of the
doomed sufferer. Life was fastening TO
its close. aud George Whitaker had now
but few more hours upon Garth. At the
close of a warm spring day we find hin,
lying upon couch within an elegant
chamber ofIlis wife's pala,ial mansion
but we find him in dying state.
The devoted wife and dwarfcd son and
Margcry, with the lcceh and other at
tendan's, we're within tie chamber. and
tho three former were standing close be.
side the dying man. Presently George
Whitaker opened his eyes aud molioned
for his wife 10 bend down that she might
hear his words.
The sorrowiug companion did SO, press.
ing the hand she held within her own,
and asking in low, tender tone, what it
was he intended 10 communicate.
elias be not come YETI" questioned
the dying man, in faint voice scarcely
above whisper.
You mean the Duke dc Bridgeuorth
Georgc?" said the wife, in reply. Then
ms her husband nodded assent she con
tinucd: emo. lie has not yet reached us
and fear he has not yet received ou
letter, or else has been detained on tn
Journey"
| George Whiiaker's countenance wa
clcuded moment at this intelligence. an'
he appeared to DO greatly disappointed
but he spoke again, saying:
"I fear 10 will be too late for m
dying message, but I will tell it to- thee
aud after u sufficient time has elapsed 70
thy sorrow 10 subside, thou must repea
to him the dying man was about to max
these words known, when they were ar
rested for u time upon his lips.
The door Of tho chamber opened, an,
the youthful Duke de Bridgcnorth cam
in with his travelling dress still upon him
With rapid glance his eye took in III
scene before him, and with an expressio
Of deep. emotion, he crossed the aparmcu
and stood beside the couch Of Gcorg
Whitaker. :.
The lattcr's face spoke The relief |.
felt at this opportune appearance. and fo
moment he seemed 10 receive mo-
strength and life. eheld eut his hand
aud graspod that which the nobleman OK
tended, and said, in tone in which va
concentrated his remaining strength:
"Tlou art here in time 10 hear n,
dying words, Duke do Bridgcnor'l
Heaven be praised for thy conins An
now. listen for | lave but few nc
ments of life remaining. Before INT
my wife. thou and she were acquainted
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