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

. ton now WiSncu 10 buri nlm neauiOng
down the stairs. But l forbore.
Did you ever give away an ornament
like this 2 was his next question.
Il never did
The answer came emphatic and positive,
and my wrath rose almost beyond check
Never may l have harder struggle to re-
frain from striking human being 10 my
feet idiot villain . be was numbering
a life worth more than thousand Of his
own every moment of his stay
'Well,' he continued, Il asked because |
had particular reasons for askiug-very par
ticular reasons they are assure you.-
You know my wife 2
Il have met her. replied with an invol-
untary start.
1T is something that concerns her /
will tell you exactly what mean some day
Il don't ask your confidence was my
hasty answer.
mo, bu; mean to give it nevertheless, >
Doctors are sometimes very useful advisers
in family affairs
He was gone at last. With three strides
| reached the closet, when the outer door
again opened on my tormentor. He had
merely returned to make some trivial remark
and again he was gone. Now, however, /
waited until his footballs had ceased 10 fall
on the stairs, and then the key was again
inserted in the lock. But | could proceed
no further; the reaction of my terrible ner-
vous excitement of the last two hours over
came me, and | leaned, weak and breath
less against the door The thought occurr-
ed to me to call her name, and accordingly
| spoke it, Helena 2
1t was in a low whisper aud there was no
response. | repeated it aloud, but no an-
swer still louder, with the same result
A mortal dizzy sickness overcame me, and |
could scarcely force vitality enough TO my
fingers to unclose the door But did, and
looked in fear(ully, shudderingly. Helena
was leani0g against the wall, her face hid
den in her hands Again | repeated her
name, and when she gave me no reply, |
placed my hand gently upon her shoulder.
Her whole body yielded to my touch, and
| found myself supporting her in my arms.
She had doubtless tainted.
SO | thought as | carried her from the
closet and placed her inert form in my of
flee chair, for not until then had seen her
face. God of mercy what revelation
did that face contain 1t was white and
CHASTITY, every muscle set with rigid ex-
preston of fear, the dull eyes gazing upon
me with their express sionless, stony gaze.-
My heart gave one great throb, and stood
still in an instant | had applied my fingers
to the wrist. The pulse was still-the
blood stagnant-a stroke of the lancet fail
ed to draw it forth The horrible truth
was apparent She was dead. Fear alone
had killed her.
Here my strength failed me I reeled and
fell to the floor lost in stupor Of insensi-
biity.
1t was night when / awokc, and slowly
the horrors Of my position came back to me.
But | was calm, at leas; and there, in the
darkness Of midnight, aud in the company
Of the dead pondered upon my future
movements.
My determination was quickly taken
First placing the ring which she had given
me upon her fuger-lbe ring that she once
promised me to wear as long as she loved
me-and kissing her dead lips once Il dar-
ed to do thaD, l raised the body in my
arms and bore it out into the night. For
tune favored me the streets were deserted;
no one crossed my way during my fearful
journey. Reaching a woody spot just be-
/ yond the city, / followed out grave, and
there buried her.
Here is my story Learn from it, if you
+ will, why | am drawn hither daily decide
whether there should be fascination for
me 10 the dust aud cobwebs Of my Office