The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-02-14

her class artless and pure as the uu.
designing infant.
".Ohi how bitterly my conscience
hardened though 1t was-reproved me
for the deception practiced. Ignorant
Of the deceitand craftiness OF the world,
she placed implicit trust in me, believing
me the soul Of honor. Ahl little did
she think rs We rambled in the loafy
grove, or sat beneaththe spreading vine;
rs we strolled beside the moonlight
stream, or fingered hear the cottage
door, that her tall and courteous COM
panion, in whom sllo placed such child
like trust, was the bold outlaw Of the
Alps. - --s
1told her 1 had rank and wealth, l
told her OF my vast estate and my castle
on the Rhine. I asked her to bo mine,
and share my fortune and my gorgeous
home. She consented, and we wcro
married. On pretense Of taking her to
my boosted palace, brought her to my
cavern. Then, rs deception was nc
longer practicable, l revealed tho start
ling fact that hey husband was au out.
lav-the famous bandit chief-and this
cave must hencoforth be her home. On
hearing this, she give mo look of ter
ror and despair never to be forgotten,
md with cry OF horror threw herself at
my fogt; begging me 10 tell her it was
not true; that I was only testing her love
for ME. But as the terrible truth be-
came more apparent from the surround
ings, she grew almost wild with grief.
She knelt before mo, and with her
hands clasped uponhcr bosom, implored
me amid, a torrent Of bitterest tears to
forsake this awful career, to leave this
dismalplace, and fly with her to some
far distant land, and there in future lead
life OF penitence and peace. She soon
became exhausted, and with heart
broken cry Of anguish sank senseless on
tho ground.
When at length aroused she appeared
more calm aud tranquil, but tho sun
light OF her young life was gone for.
ever. The roses never came back to her
cheeks. Day by day sho slowly Ian.
guished. She always tried to wear n
smile when was near, though grief was
gnawing like canker at her heart. She
often tried to persuade me to abandon
my evil course, and hourly prayed for
my reform. ayf
a year passed, and like tender flow
or plucked from its parent stem, she had
drooppl and declined. Ono day aS-
sisted her to tho entrance OF tho cave,
and rs I took n seat beside her, l OBJ.
served that she looked palerand lovelicr
than usual. Leaning her head npon my
breast, she said al feel TIM. am dy-
ing. Tho autumn leaves will soou
strew.my forest grave; but I could go
happy, and sweetly rest, did | believe
that yon would quit at once this wretch
ed place, aud lead henceforthan upright
Christian lie. Oh i promise mo ere I
die that you will grant this last request
Of her who never ceased to love you,
even through your deepest degradation.
Ny heart was moved as it was never
moved before, ard hardly knowingwhat
l said I gave the required promise. She
claslcd my hand with look OF joy on
her iaco that had not rested there be-
fore for mont)Ia.
That night she sweetly brcathod her
last. And within that woodland grave
my earthly happiness was buried.
Iustead OF keeping my promise l be.
came moro reckless than before ; mud
my name became by-word Of terror
throughout the surrounding country.
Thus have l lived, au enemy TO myself,
and curse to. mankind. And thus I
die, neglected., friendIess, and alone.-
Rev. T. r. Booth.