Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1874-06-23
me the money yesterday, this would not have

me the money yesterday, this would. not have
been" sl '1f -
..0h, Willie" l cried. =,
ssYes, mother" he said sternly. ..You
have made me n criminal. / want to tell you
have secretly married Kate Hastings God
knows what will become of her"
sKate was pretty little creature, only six.
teen years old, innocent as the violets which
grew around her homo. Ny bleeding heart
gave quick, painful thrOb, as the world viii
not believe We are married. She will be
scorned by oil. Hark they are coming
Mother, am too young, too wicked to die,
but must die. Farewell !"
saw his purpose now, for his hand
clutched a revolver; and spfinging TO my feet,
threw my arms about him to shield him from
himself. But he shook me of. The next
moment the loud report of his pistol echoed
through the house, One glance showed me
his liteless form, stretched on the floor. Then
existence was blank to me.
When 1 awoke to CONSEQUENCES, the morn
ing sun was shining, and the house was filed
with people. But even justice was satisfied,
and was soon left alone with the dead. All
day, fearless aud motiouless, l sat beside tho
mangled corpse. Some people, kinder than
the rest, came in to make preparations for the
funeral and passed silently out but I did not
heed them. ~
Kate Hastings came just after dark, sho
was dressed in deep mourning, and her face
was ghastly that it startled me.
"YOu, too, have come TO reprOach mew
said. ,a
mo, mother. You suffer enough without
my reproaches. 1 have come to watch with
the dead"
''I wish to watch alone" said. oE
alt is who will watch alone" she re-
turned, alt is my right. am has wife,
Glow calm she was! There was not even
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 do IT,"
"She looked up quickly.
'He has told your"
eyes"
''Yet you speak kindly to me, and do not
condemn us !"
"a sad but beautiful smile for moment
lighted her features. She raised one of my
hands and kissed it reverentially.
Thank you"' she said. "Somctimcs you
will be glad for having shown this kindness
to one SO much in need of it. Now mother.
leave me-"
81 left the apartment; but I did not re-
tire. All night sat on the floor, outside the
door, hoping that Katie would bid mo onter;
but no such summons came. Daylight re-
turned, and the busy world again moved still
heard no movement in the chamber Of death.
At last my anxiety became SO great, that L
opened the door, aud glanced in. Tho girl
kuelt by the corpse, apparently asleep. Softly
stole forward, and 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 bottle
which she clutched proved.
"The next day, they buried the pair, my
erring son and his child.wife, in one grave
and as the clods fell on his coffin. the bright.
ness of my life went out forever"
Mrs. Brown could say no more, for sobs
choked her utterance. Her listener, too, was
deeply affected, as her pale face and fearful
eyes showed.
Leaving the bereaved mother for a moment,
Mrs: Grey stole softly to the door, and called.
"WiIlie."
The child heard her, and came quickly to
her side.
"What is IL, mamma 2"
''It is lonesome without you, darling" shS
said, drawing him to her.
A smile lit up his face. ,lf.
''Then You do love me. mammaY
"LoVe you? Oh, Willie !"
Her arms were about him now, and she was
sobbiug on his shoulder.
'Did somebody toll you about those bad
boys2' he asked wonderingly. sThey haye
got flask of whiskey, mamma.
"rhank God you are saved; my darlingfs r.
she cried hysterically.
She drew him closer 70 her, she ciupg 20
him, she showered kisses on his wondering
fpce. But never, until he was man. with
sonio his own. did she tell him the history
tofthst other Willie, whose CHILDHOOD aud his
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