The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1876-03-10

pccting Linton down tospend few
DAYS with me, aud am come To look
after him. How late the express VI
III run In and see how soon thy ex-
pcctiil'
He dismounted from his horse, and
entered the station, while Agnes sat
outside watching the people coming to
meet their friends or depart them
selves. Mr.. Maynard stayed several
minutes IN the station, aud when he
rjuined her, there was look on his
pale fce that made his daughters
heart give dull ihump at her side,
aud made her feel sick aud faint.
BE brave, my girl, and make up
your mind To- bear a little tu,pense,"
he said, laying his hand quietly IN
hers. There has been an accident
on the line. The five o'clock express
has goue over the embankment, aud
several passengers are killed and
wounded. ! am going up the line
now, on an engine they are going to
send, aud I'll bring Edmund back
with me. l hope. Trust in Cod, my
child. lie may he all safe aud sound.
Go home, and wait US patiently as you
can"
Agnes heard him through. Her
heart was beating with slow. heavy
pulsations, and numbuess stole over
her whole bdy, but she did not cry or
faint. One deep, heavy breath, she
drew; then in cold, hard tones, she
said:
May I not 60 on the engine with
your
MY poor child" said Mr.. Way
niard, "you must not. Edmund
would not wish it. Probably he is
staying to help the wounded. Go
home. my child; I must be off, BE
brave!'
She stopped and kissed him quietly,
and silently; and then, with fixed,
unsceing eyes. and pale stony lace,
rode home. Home to the empty
house, the loud-ticking clock, and the
dull gnawing agony of her fearful
waiting! Slowly aud calmly. she
passed up the steps. through the hall,
aud into the drawing room. She took
her hat fom her burning head aud
passed on to the window. where she
took her stand to watch--for whaty
Alas! poor young wife, not for her
husband! She felt no doubt about his
fate. From the moment that she had
heard her fathers words, deadly GER
tainty that she sliuuld see him Do
more alive, took possession of her.
They had parted in anger for the first
time, and .he felt sure, that, by one Of
tlmse strange fatalities, they would
/ never meet again.
The sun shone brightly as ever, n
bird sang gaily in neighboring tree,
aud her kitten was playing happily
with floating feather. But life was
over for her. Edmund was dead, =
those kind dark eyes close for ever
that loving heart cold aud still! The
clock-a wedding present from her ia
ther-ticked gaily on, aud chimed the
quarters three times unheeleI BY her.
before the garden cute creaked. and
her father. with slow, reluctant step.
passed up the gravel path. She stood
still, mercy turning her pale face and
dreamy eyes on him as he entered the
room. The tears s,ood in his eyes rs
he put hi, arm gently round her. aud
the hand that took her cold one, treni.
bled violently.
"Asnes, my po r child" he said, in
broken tones, IL eau give you M hope.
The bodies are not all recovered yet.
but he il not among the wounded or
safe. and he was seen To enter the train
some minutes before it started. Hea.
ven help you, my child! 1t is a fear
iui. fearful blow!'
Agnes spoke not-a shud,ler ran
through her whole frame. aud she
raised her head and shook it, MS IT.
trying To ,hake off some bewil,lering
weight Her eyes were drv. III ugh
the tears fell fast from her fathers.
and she turned her gaze once more ON
the cute. as if expecting somebody
else To cone. Alas. poor young wife
was she hoking for that dreadful pro-
cession that was Ia come--the shutter,
with its ghas'ly burden. SO stitI and
still beneath sheet or cloak, that hid il
from the public gaze?
Ii was hong before her father could
get her tn quit her dreadful post Of 81
lent watching. but when she at length
threw herself an the sofa with wild
cries of agony. it aas still mpre terri
BILE to see that white, de.piiri g face,
as she raised it, tear-stained aud ~.
vul'el, tn her fathers saying, through
the chnaking sobs;
"And We pirItd in anger!"
oh, careless WORKS. So lightly spo-
ken! what agoniliug fruit were they I
bearing nov! Poor Agnes! they
could not induce her to go To bel