South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1870-09-23

The cothn top was thrown ASIDE. In my
arms | bore the fair creature 10 a couch
As 1 returned for a moment, I saw her on
~ sister, girl of sixteen, standing as il
riveted 20 the floor, her cheeks hollow and
CHASTITY, her eyes fixed and frightfully gar.
ing i seized her by the arm, but she stir
red not | shook her rudely, saying; I'm
less you help me, Marie, she will really lie !;
quick come cut off her grave clothes she
must not see them, must never know of this. ,
The girl sighed, shiverd, then with n
wild, unnatural burst of laughter, reused
horselffrom her stupor. Then as suddenly,
a food OF tears cam TO her relief. All was
right now She followed me into the next
room, united the white satin ribbon that
confined the delicate wrists, unlooseued the
linen bands on her breast, so that by the
time the young bride opened her eyes, she
was lying as if she had sought her bed for
pleasant siumbcr.
Aud Cow, the most terrible excitement
over, | breathed freely Aud yet another
important task remained to be accomplish
ed. BY my orders the poor husband had
been briefly informed that the ceremony
would be detained for moment. He was
so distracted with his grief that all news
was alike to him. They led him where
they liked IL sat in little room just .
cross the entry so dcadcned were all his
senses, he had not heard the confusion |
went in, closed the door, and stood beside
him. He glanced up but once, then burr
ed his face in his hands with an unearthly
moan that went to my very soul Oh, such
JOY, such pure, exquisite JOY as flooded M
whole being as felt what heaven | should
soon awaken him to- Only angels can tell
how sweet it is to bring blessings to the
wayworn, aud hope to the depending.
'Froderick,' said l, placing my arms a
round his neck, my dear fellow
Don't try 10 comfort me, Doctor his
broken voice responded my heart is torn
up by the roots
What should | say next? A thought
occurred to me. Do you remember what
Christ said about the little maid She is
not dead, but sleepeth'
My peculiar accent, my information struck
him instantly. He shook suddenly aud
raised his trembling hands, while a strange
expression shot over his face. There were
tears IN my eyes, but | smiled broadly thro'
them at the same time; | tried to command
my voice, as | stammered Did YOU
did you ever hear of people falling into
frances? and
lie sprang to his feet, clenched my hands,
breathed hard through his shut teeth His
eyes glittered. What. he cried, compre-
bending the hopeful faces looking IN u pom
us, dead Pin a trance laid out ?-bu-
ried ?-Gliye-alivc Great God Do you
tell me she lives my May who gasped in
my arms lay cold on this bosom? Oh,
have mercy don't mock me !
He staggered against me almost helpless
FREDERICK | cried, tears running down
my cheeks, she lives; your precious May
Is saved
/ Another second, and | was 10 his arms,
| be dancing delriously round with me, God
/ bless you God bless you he cried. 'Oh
it is too beautiful, too good Ny dear God
streaming eyes hcavcnward. Let me see
her he continued, locking my arm in his.
/ Il will be calm-very calm. And, doctor, >
he exclaimed, IF at any time my life will
/ buy You a precious boon, it il yours
/ He did not dream, poor fellow, that he
bad been my rival.
The mother hung over her child-the
/ husband bent over bis bride, full-ful OF
Thanksgiving. She, with her large blue
/ eyes moving languidly but fondly from one
to the other, whispered j am better
stronger. | shall soon be we'll again /
have been sick so long
Frederick kissed her white brow in re-
ply, and smothered his sobs in the pillow.
And then [ left them, a happier being, a
better man.
May and her husband still live, a fond,
beautiful pair, even now.
/ am an old bachelor