Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-08-31
MIsCELANEOUS.
Undying Love.
Strange Case of Insanity--A Sad Story
Of q Young Lady.

with young man Of the place, but her pa
rents, particularly her father, strongly opposed
the match. The reasons are supposed TO have
been good ones, but certain i: is they assumed
fearful responsibility, and hEough. upon
themselves dire afiiiction. ..
The young lady was forbidden 70 zee her
lover, and be was told not to visit her house,
but they managed, as is often the case, clandes-
tine meetings, and interchangcd assurances OF
their undying affections for zach other. Busy
village gossip soon informed the father Of the
condition of affairs. Though naturally kind
father, be was greatly irritated, and immedi-
ately adopted stringen. measures 20 separate
the lovers. ..
This course On the part OF tho father was
the contentious action Of parent concerned
for the welfare of his child, so he went about it
deliberately, and with a determination that
was not likely to meet with defeat. But, alas
alas what was be doing? These two young
hearts were already SO intertwined-so grown
together-so reborn as one that 20 sepa-
rate them was like cutting asundoT vital parts
Of the human organization. The father, stern
and resolute to do his duty, thought not Of
this, but pressed forward in his purpose. The
tale of love, the fond prayer of an agonized
and breaking heart for him to listen to argu-
ment aud reason-these were Of 20 avail. A
parents duty must be done. His frst plan
was to lock his daughter in her room. Hcput
on extra bolts and paddock, for he remem-
bered that love laughs at locksmths. When
be was about to leave her after all this prepa-
ration for her safe keeping had been made, be
remarked:
al do all this because love you, my child.
You can't escape and no one can obtain access
to you. Reflect On all have said to you
Forge: this man, aud save ne the pain Of max
ing you prisoner" .. u
His voice faltersd, and lie looked az her
with imploTing eyes. She was sitting, weep
ing, pale and trembling. In an instant she
sprang to her feet, .apd, standing proudly be-
! fore her father exclaimed:
"Fa!her, 90 your wOrs; Impyison me,
stsrve me, drive me to madness; but never
will forget or cease to love the man TO whom,
before God, stand this hour betrothedw
She stood looking heavenward for moment
then she reeled and fell exhausted to the floor
( The father looked at his child as if his pity
was about to overcome him, but in moment
he recovered himself and advanced toward the
door. ....,
Undutiful, wicked child" were his words
as he clesed the door, and, drawing first one
bol, and then another, finally made all secure
with the paddock. AS he went away, ho said
" May God give mo the frmness to DO my pa
rental duty" ,.. .., -.
The sad village tale, as now told by all, re-
latos that Imprisonment continued for some
ten days. After day or two, additional Sc
verify was added by making bread and water
the only food offered to the poor prisoner, No
one except the father ever approached the
room. lie found his daughter growing paler
and paler and weaker and weaker Most of
the time she was in bed Repeatedly he at
tempted to talk with her, but her only reply
was:
You may kill my poor body, but my love
is undying."
What nonsense !" replied the father
&" Pray to God to fill your heart with love aud
obedience to parental authority? Have done
with sickly sentimentality"
But this sickly sentimentality was passion
as strong as life and reason Already it was
doing its work. Health was failing, and hour
by hour the mind itself was yielding. There
were whispers in tho village of what was 60
ing on, but the full facts were not known.
One morning the father went to the room,
bearing, as was his custom, her food and drink,
which still consisted Of the portion Of bread
and water To his surprise he heard her sing
ing He listened and heard the words Of
soug which had always been favorits one
with his daughter. The verses she was sing
ng were the following:
al love thee, as tho glad bird loves
The freedom Of its wing,
On which delghtedly it moves
10 wildnst wandering.
love thee, as love tho swell
And hush Of some low strain,
Which bringeth by its gentle spell,
The past to life again"
Then all became still for a moment OF two.
Then there was a moaning and weeping fol-
lowed Suddenly by laughter and talking
The father made haste 10 enter, feeling no lit
tie alarm from the strange procesdings-
When he entered he found his daughter sitting
up in ber bed, with wild look about her eyes,
which be had never noticed before.
Ha, ha, ha, dearest, I will meet yOu.
Will come en- The wings of love. Father, cruel,
father has forgotten The keyhOe. Ia, be, ha'
The father fed from the room without see
:ag or bearing more. 4 terrible fear, for the
frs. tins, took possession Of him. He ran
with the creates! speed for the family physi-
ciau, who came almost as speedily to see the
poor sufferer When be saw her bis face look
cd serious enough, and he was not long in in-
forming the parents that their daughter was
insane The father was shocked and over
whelmed He frankly told of all that he had
done, and blamed himself, though he declared
that he thought he was doing no more than