South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1871-04-28

Wretcuel anu SICK AT uCart. ADu l. QUICK
ly discovered that no opportunity was left
for clandestine interviews with Helena. The
severity of paternal despotism had even, as
ascertained, imposed upon her the con
finement of locks and bars, upon her posi-
tive refusal to discard me. Her house was
now prison to her.
Embittered by such relentless opposition
as this, began to consider Helena as for
ever lost to me, and following the idle i'm
pulse of the moment, started on voyage
to Europe. Wandering restlessly over
the countries of the Old World for year,
at length received letter from home,
which, among other things, spoke of the
marriage of Helena c.. | smiled bit
terly as the name ofthe husband caught my
eye The man who was thus preferred to me
was coarse, sensual aud unrefned, but weai-
thy and therefore unexceptional to Judge
c.. | shuddered as [ thought of her
future, sighed perhaps, at the thought of
the event of my hopes aud expeditions
and then resolutely dismissing the theme
from my mind, l commenced my home.
ward journey.
1t was the very day, if remember right
ly, subsequent 10 my return to B,
that | was sitting here in my office, solitary
aud alone. had as yet seen hardly sin
gle one of my former acquaintances, and
more utterly wretched and desolatc, if pos
sible, than before my departure, for, spite
OF my utmost eudeavors, my thoughts were
constantly fixed on Helena. | had almost
lost oil consciousness of external objects,
when light rap upon the door reached
me- There had been an audible step in
the passage, and conjecturing that my visi-
tant was woman, l FASTENED to admit her
[ was correct; it was woman, and none
other than the subject of my thoughts.
Helena stood in the doorway, but how
changed SO altered was she, that could
scarcely recognize Der; her thin, prema-
turely wasted face, marked with lines of
grief and care, preserved few, very few ves-
tiges of beauty which it once wore. The
shock which her unexpected appearance
gave me composed me al once, and closing
the door after her, placed chair and
calmly awaited her pleasure. She, howev-
err, was embarrassed and agitated. She
remained standing for moment, slipping
ring on and off her finger, her eyes rest
ing on the floor. Finally she said, in a
trembling voice:
DO not think i'll of me, Walter, for com
ing here | heard of your return and
wished to see you, if but for a moment. l
am very unhappy.
Her last words were addressed rather to
herself than to me, and yielding to her e.
motion she sank into a chair aud sobbed
bitterly. Respecting the feeling which /
knew she could not control, and which was
momentarily gaining upon me, L turned a
way until she had an opportunity to com
pose herself.
My errand here today she continued,
lis to return you this ring. You will re-
member it, know. There is no person to
whom could entrust it, and my husband
almost daily demands to know the history
of it. And besides, | wished to say fare
well, forever. Good-by, Wsltcrp
Her hand was icy cold. As / released
it, she turned toward the door, but in an in
slant she tottered toward me, her face
blanched to the wilderness Of death. Had
not sustained her she must have fallen to
the floor
Good Heaven, Walter, it is my husband 5
step on the stairs she whispered in thrill
ing tone. you know him his jealousy
is always active am lost if he finds me
here Save me from discovery in God $
name l-everything depends on it!
There is that closet l suggested.
She entered it eagerly, aud closed the
door
1T might be left little ajar, for air. ]
whispered hurriedly.
NO; close it-lock it = was exciIedly
whispered back. aud had hardly withdrawn
the key when Helen's husband entered.
Why, what is the matter p were his
first words. You are pale aud agitatod
what has happened ?
'Nothing-nothing, ] assure you, more
than the effects Of travelling was my reply
The remark was an unfortunate one, foi
my unwclcome visitor Immediately insisted
upon hearing a detailed account vi my Tor.
eign experience. Uneasy and restless as ]
was, / was compelled To submit, and for a
full hour my tormentor compelled me 20
sit and answer bis questions Meanwhile,
] was in perfect agony Of fear and uneasi-
ness ] followed every movement that hs
made, alarmed lest some chance clue might
betray the presence Of Helena, and I alter.
nstely adopted and rejected O thousand ez
pedients to rid myself Of him Ny posi-.
ton at length grew sDsou;eiy intoleraJle
not the least among my thoughts was that
Of the sugcrings Of Helena, confined 10 the
sitting air Of that miserable closet, aud ]
was upon the point Of intmatiDg to toe tor.
mentor that wished to be alone, when he
exclaimed
'Ah let mo examine your ring Aud
before { could make movement 90 prevent