The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1870-09-08
MAY H KENDALL.

There are some seasons when the grave
yard seems peculiarly beautiful. When
hushed twilight wings her noiseless way from
heaven to wrap the temples Of the dead in
her soft, transparent drapery, or the pleasant
moon lights up the messed graves. making
luminous the white sculptnred marble, it is
sweet to wander up the shaded aisles of the
sumbrous city, and muse upon the holy mem
cries OF the departed.
The stars burned with lustre peculiar to
summer skies A clear, mild atmosphere
gave refreshing elasticity to my spirits.
wandered along scarcely knew where aud
found myself, after a leisure walk, near the
old fashioned burial ground at Dallston Falls.
I was happy man. for having that day re.
ceived diploma, [ was really and profession
ally an M. D.
What directed my steps to the rural bury
ing ground, cannot tell but believed, at
the time I'll was romantic and enthusiastic
then that some mysterious agency shaped
my course As 1 drew near, the rustic gate
was open. The walks glittered in the strong
yellow light; the shadows leaned down from
the trees, and frescoed the smooth gravel
with quaint tracery; the buds and flowers
grouped in dark masses upon the gently cur
we'd mounds knew they were buds and
flowers, for their fragrance betrayed them, ]
seemed whispering in their silent language 70
| their beautiful dead below. In my youth, |
was fond of symbolizing Every inanlmate
| thing had its type in some ideal or oriental
fancy This evening, I felt particularly poet
ical. My Imagination was as fertie-yes,
thought as fertile as Millions, if my thoughts
were not as grand, or my images sublime.
sauntered carelessly along the side where
hawthorn hedge twined its firm tcndrlls to
gether dragging my cane after me, and mus
ing in careless reverie Suddenly. paused,
Judge LIS beautiful lot was directly be
| fore me, its tiny silver fountain bubbllng up
and breaking into white globules that glitter
ed like boar frost Here leaned by huge
hoary elm and closed my eyes as the magic
breathing of flute, skillfully touched iioated
| through my dreaming brain. AS | look
back it seems to me that was the most bless
| ed hour Of my existence, for, mlng'inc with
! that plaintive melody, came gentle lace
with sparkling eyes, serene brow, and cheeks
just crimson enough to resemble two pale
rose leaves flushing the purest snow.
Oh, how I loved that sweet May Kendall
Love! Forgetting my God, | idollzcd her
and, egotist that was, fan"ied that my un
spoken passion was returned. But will no;
linger. In those few moments l was pour
ing my very souls depth and fervor into the
heart that fondly imagined-as youth Will
somctimes-was, in a sort of spiritual pres
ence, ever beside me-
Nv revere was broken by the approach Of
stranger; and light silvery laugh shut
out the music of the flute, for it was SO like
nv love May's-so ringing! so joyous!
Presently, as fine, manly form drew near
er, recognized the features OF one VINO mao
been my college mate two years ago. woulo
have sprang forward to meet him. His name
was trembling on my lips, when sight ar
| rested nv attention that chilled my blood
and made my teeth chatter with suddcr
| freezing fear. The two had come almost be-
side me- and there stopped, charmed will
the sylvan spot. The lady held her hat by
the strings one arm was passed confidlngly
through that of her companion; and wher
she turned her beaming face around towards
me RI was concealed by the shadow, l rec
OynlZed In the Iuli Hoou AZ IHe MoouiiSh.
May Kendall!
do not like, even at this late day. to re
view tho feelings that shook my frame when
heard them murmer such words of tenderness
to each other in subdued and happy tones
A deathly faintness came over me as gath
cred from their own lips the knowledge tina
they were betrothed and when that passee
away. fierce revenge sent the blood boiling
through my veins. I'could have leapel upor
him, and demanded my May, my love, with
out whom life would seem a curse, and th'
world a dread, dead blank. But then b.
what tight could call her mine? True, sh.
had been most kind to me, but never NOR
than maidenly modesty might warrant to
wards TIE TIE post post laaEImpette friend Nov