Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-03-06
A VIRGINIA ROMANCE.

She was the reigning belle in the socie-
ty in which she moved. 10 the course
Of time she married young lawyer ot
the highest respectability both as re-
CARDS talents and family connections.
In due time they had son born to
them. They were very happy.
The lawyer in the course OF his bust
ness operations became in some way ,r
another entanglej in a quarrel with y
brother lawyer. A duel was the result.
In the contest the husband was killed.
The wife became inconsolabl A severe
fit Of sickness followed. When shs
recovered, the only thing to lavish the
whole affection of her heart upon was
her son. Her attention was given to
him.
After q year or two she was snr-
rounded by an immense number Of sd-
mirers and several made proposals of
marriage. She declined them all. Her
heart was true to her first and only
love. At last, many OF her ad...;.ar.
importuned her to marry them-ofier-
ing her fortune, station, everything that
would be likely to win womans heart
but all OF no avail. Sho replied 10
them that she could not give them her
hand without her atfectioDs--her heart
was with the buried dead.
The widow found these approaches
were made to her so often and so earn
estly that she withdrew herself from
society as the only means Of obtaining
anything like quietuess; but even then
letters would annoy her. So she dctc,-
mined to get out of the way Of society
entirely and seclude herself in some re-
tired spot. She did not care where she
went if she could only obtain quietnsss
and enjoy the pleasure Of training and
cultiysting her boys mind and have his
exclusive society. He was noble liz
tie fellow.
Well, after looking about for a place
where absolute seclusion could be OBJ
tanned and be unknown, and the eli
mate would be congenial, she deter
mined upon Florida. So she removed
to q retired spot about mile or two
from Ocala, where she found small
hut already built aud suited to her re-
quirements. She purchased it, and
there lived for some time, when, un-
happily, her boy was taken sick and
died, aud was buried near her house.
She planted an acorn near by that was
found after his death in bis pocket. 1t
has now grown to bo large tree.
Alone in the world, without n single
soul TO converse with, she frettod and
pined her life away, her only consola-
ton being in her communings with her
Maker. She prayed for peace and OBJ
tanned it. She had no domestic servant
to wait upon her, but cooked her own
meals, &c.
Occasionally she would see persons
approach her little home, aud not wish
ing to be seen, she would retire to q
small cave near by, where she could
watch the movements Of strangers un-
til they were gone, when she would
come out aud take possession Of her
shanty.
One day she walked into Ocala for
the purpose Of obtaining some medicine
at the drugstore. She was closely
hooded and disguised. There was q
gentleman in the store, however, whom
she recognized as an old suitor. She
Immediately left, and was lost TO sight
quickly. The gentleman saw the eyes;
he thought he knew theni-their infu-
ence in the past had kept him awake
many = night. He was at FIRST stagger-
cd with the thought that il might be
her-indeed, be was almost paralyzcd,
for he was still single, and remained so
for her sake. When be recovered his
senses sufficiently to know what he
was about no turned into the street to
look for her; but she was gone, and no
one could tell him anything about her
or in what direction she bad gone. lie
searched the country al around, but his
efforts were fruitless. At last he had
to give up the pursuit lie was very
unhappy.
Well, the lady lived for many years
afterwards, still staying st the same
place. At last she found that her health
was giving way; that the hardsbips she
had to updergo-living 10 30 wild and
rude q condition-necessitsted her
making con6dant Of somebody, 70 ~
to obtain help. She called in the assis-
lance of an honest, quiet colored wo-
man-Aunt Polly Fudge-who helped
her TO some little comforts and did add
chores for her. At last she became
sick and confined to her bed. Polly
faithfully nursed her, and at length tho
lady died.
She told Polly her history, suppress
ing her real name, and told her 10 get
her buried in the grave beside her darl-
ing boy, under the oak tree that size had
planted near the cave, and that she was
to be buried IN her wedding dresS-s
beautiful white satin ope-spd on her
head the wreath that she wore on the
occasion Of her marriage. Faithful
Polly attended TO matters a. she was
told, and Mrs NeviIle-for that was the
name the lady called hersslf--gave to
Polly all her money, which was $4,000
and her old clothes.
So rests within a mile Or two Of
Oca,a-in ono of the hammocks-the
last mortal remains Of the poor broken
hsarted widow: The relatives and
friends will never know her end or ber
burial-place.
So I'VE point moral and adorn .
tals."-Oeoia { (F7ovida) Esnnsy.