South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1874-07-03

| II.
KATE, was pretty little creature, only
sixteen years old, innocent as the violets
which grew around her home. My bleed
ing heart gave a quick, painful throb, as
tho world will not believe we are married.
She will be scorued by all. IIark they
are coming Mother, am too young,
too wicked to die, but l must die. Fare
we'll =
l saw bis purpose now, for bis hand
clutched revolver (; aud springing to my
feet, threw my arms about him TO shield
him from himself. But he shook me off.
The next moment the loud report of his
pistol echoed through .ae house. Que
glance showed me his lifeless form stretch
ed on the floor. Then existence was blank
TO me.
When awoke to consciousness, tie morn
ing sun was shining, and the house was fill.
ed with people. But even justice was sat.
isGed, and was soon left alone with the dead.
All day, fearless aud motionless, 1 sat be-
side the maDgled corpse. Some people,
kinder than the rest, came 10 TO make pre-
parations for tho funeral, and passed silent
y out bu, | did not heed them.
KATE HASTINGS came just after dark.
She was dressed in deep mourning, aud her
face was so ghas'ly that ii startled me-
You, too, have come to reproach me p
said.
'No, mother. You suffer enough with.
out my reproao hes. have come to watch
with the dead
Il wish TO watch alone I said.
ut Is who will watch alone she return
cd
How calm she was There was not e.
ven tremor of the voice to tell how she
suffered
'Yes, it is your right, my poor child =
said. 1t gives me another pang to give him
up, even to my daughter still l do it,
She looked up quickly.
'He has told you 2
'Ye.
Yet you speak kindly to me, and do not
condemn US -
A sad but beautiful smile for a moment
lighted her features. She raised ons of my
hands and kissed it reverentially.
Thank you = she said. Sometime you
will be glad for having shown this kindness
to one SO much in need of H. Now, mother,
Il left the apartment, but I did not re.
tire. All night sat on the floor, outside
the door, hoping that KATIE would bid me
enter ; but Lo such q summons came. Day.
light returned, and the busy world again
moved still | heard no movement in the
chamber Of death. At last my anxiety
became SO great, that opened the door,
and glanced in. The girl knelt by the corpse
apparently asleep. Softly stole forward,
aud raised the dropping head But no sad
eyes met my gaze; nothing but the white
face, The staring orbs of corpse. KATIE
had died by her own hand, as a bottle
which she clutched proved.
The next day they buried the pair, my
erring son and his child-wifc, 10 one grave;
aud as the clods fell on his cofin, the
brightness Of my life went out forever
Mrs. ERowN could say no more, for
sobs choked her utteraocc. Her listener,
too, was deeply affected, as her pale face
and fearful eyes showed.
Leaving tho bereaved mother for q mo.
ment, Mrs. GREY stole softly to the door,
and called
WILLIE
The child heard her, aud came quick y
to her side.
what is it, mamma p
'lt is lonesome withou. you, darling,
she said, drawing him to her.
A smile Ii, up bis face.
Then you do love me, mamma 2?
Love your Oh, WILLIE =
Her arms were about him now, and she
was sobbing on his shoulder.
did somebody tell YOU about those bad
boysr he asked, wonderiogIy. They have
got flask Of wbiskey, mamma
Thank God you are saved, my dnr.
ling ! she cried hystericaly.
She drew him closer to her, she chung
TO him, she showered kisses on bis wonder
ing face. But never, until he was a man,
with a son Of bis own, did she tell him the
history Of that other WILLIE, whose child
hood aud his bad been so much alike, aud
how by the knowledge Of that other WILL
LIES unfortunate career, he bad been saw
cd by her, perhaps, from q like fate