The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1870-09-08
sTAUNTON VIRGINIA. THURSDAY SEPTEMBER s. 1870

arms [ bore the fair creature to a couch As
| returned for moment, l saw her only sis
ter, girl Of sixteen, standing as if riveted to
the floor her cheeks hollow and ghastly, her
eyes fixed and frightfully glaring. / seized
her by the arm, but she stirred not; shook
her rudely, saying: 'Unless you help me-
Marie, she will really die; quick come cui
off her grave clothes! she must not see them
must never know of this"
The girl sighed, shiyercd, then with wild
unnatural burst of laughter, reused herself
from her stupor. Then as suddenly, food
OF tears came 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 ly
ing as if she had sought her bed for pleasant
slumber.
And now, the most terrible excitcmcr!
over, 1 brcathed freely. And yet another
important task remained to be accomplished
By my orders the poor husband had been
briefly informed that the ceremony would be
detained for moment He was so distract
ed with his grief that all news was alike to
him. They led him where they liked He
sat in a little room just across the entry so
deadened were all his senses, he had not
heard the confusion. went in, closed the
door, and stood beside him. Hc glanced up
but once, then buried his face in his hands
with an uncarthly moan that went to my very
SOUL Oh, such joy, such pure, exquisite joy
as flooded my whole being as I felt what
heaven should soon awaken him to! Only al
gels can tell how sweet it is to bring blessings
to the wayworn, and hope to the Responding
"Frcderck," said [, placing my arms
around his neck, "my dear fellow
Don't try to comfort me, doctor,' his bro
ken voice responded 'my heart is torn up
by the roots"
What should say next? A thought oc-
cured to me. s'Do you remember what
Christ said about the little maid? She is not
dead, but sleepeth."
My peculiar accent, my information, struck
him instantly. lie shook suddenly and rails
ed his trembling hands, while strange cx
preston shot over his face. There were
tears in my eyes, but smiled broadly through
them at the same time; tried to command
mysvoce, as I stammered: Did you-did
you ever hear of people falling into frances !?
and" r95a.a
He spraug to his feet, clenched my hands
breathed hard through his shut teeth. His
eyes glittered What - he cried, compre
hending the hopeful faces looking in upon us,
"dead FIN trance laid out ?-buried p
alive-alive Great God Do you tell me
she lives my May7 who gasped in my arms +?
lay cold on this bosom? Oh, have mercy =
don't mock me - FtiG 5a..a-}
He staggered against me almost helpless.
"Frederick," | cried, tears running down
my cheeks, "she lives; your precious May is
saved" f#
Another second, and I was in his arms, he
dancing dclriously round with me, "God
bless you! God bless you'll" he cried "Oh.
it is too beautiful, too good My dear God
streaming eyes heaven ward. sLet me see
her" he continued, locking my arm in his
II will be calln-very calm. And, doctor"
he exclaimed, ''if at any time my life will buy
you precious boon, it is yours Nat
He did not dream, poor fellow that he had
been my rival as .aer9
The mother hung over her child-the lhus-
band bent over his bride, full-full Of thanks
giving. She, with her large blue eyes NOV
ing languidly but fondly from Que to the
other, whispered II am better, stronger. I
shall soon be we'll again. have been sick so
long"
Frederick kissed her white brow in reply
and smothcred his sobs in the pillow And
then l left THEN, a happier being, a better man
May and her husband still live, a fond,
beautiful pair, even now. 8
| am an old bachelor