Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1878-02-12
! wTRaNsIENT BInLs-oAsHs

the more closely around NY heart each DAY.
"'Mr. Lindsay returned her letters
ceased, and for weeks l could not hear from
her-only saw her at times, and could only
speak to her as to the greatest stranger.
This kept me in an incensed state of mind.
My feelings were none of the kindest toward
that cruel paren. whose hard nature knew
no pity.
% "rOne morning, some months later, was
sitting in the parlOr, at the hotel Of near
town, when, to my surprise, Mr.. Lindsay en-
tered. He seemed startled at meeting me.
but bowed coldly. The hot blood rushed
through my veins, aud, forgetful of all else
but my injured feelings aud his selfshness,
1 turned quickly, and, placing myself in front
of him, said,- s..s ass
"'"Sir, do you still hold to your base de.
sigu of separating me from her whom I love
far dearer than life You hold our future
happiness in your hand will you dash that
cup to the earth, and blast all the hopes that
We have so dearly cherished -
"'With cold, nnfeeling glare In his eyes,
he said. slowly and harshly,-
"f''Yes, if it costs me my life !"
"s "Then your life shall be the penalty
for your heartless crime! Die as you should
die ~ And, in tho frenzy of despair, and
without the thought of the future, pointing
my pistol at his heart, drew the trigger.
"'My aim was unerrins that shot rang
out loud and clear-the death knell of my
darliug's father-for had killed lin ! As
he lay dead before me, the horror of the
deed had committed rushed over me and
remorse came too late. My next thought was
to take my own life, and, Just as was about
to do the rash deed, tho door opened, and
Mary Lindsay stood before me. She had
II E..L 90. -.
upstairs when she heard the report of pis-
tol in the parlor-where she knew he was
she hasteued to SEQ what it could moan-our
eyes met-and in moment she seemed to
comprehend ALL With one cry Of anguish
that frccze my hearts blood she sprang for
ward, and fell upon her murdered fathers
PROSTATE form.
"I reached forth my hand to touch her.
and found her as lifeless rs he was whom 1
had slain. shreked aloud in my agony
E"'"I have killed her My God forgive !"
"fFrom that hour was a maniac. / was
arrested, tried, pronounced mad and ncquit-
ted. For years | would see my darling ly-
ing dead before me. At others times she
would come to me, pleading with me to give
her back her father, whom she loved, and
because could not she would scream aloud
in her grief These heart cries and visions
Of my insane hours wonld almost kill me,
and still l would not die. When | became
calm, would know that had broken her
heart.
"'They laid hcr beside her father in yon-
der graveyard, near your home. Her father
then owned the place. As float down tho
river I often SEQ the roses blooming over
her narrow resting-plsce. They remind me,
in their purity, of her who is sleeping there.
awaiting tho resurrection, when We will
meet, never more to part-where We will
love each other as in the beautiful past.
"Ob, Arthur, guard her narrow bed
keep green and fresh the flowers above her
cold. bard pillow l water them at mid
night with my tears, when wander there
in the moonlight, aud pray that God may
be merciful to me, and keep me from further
sim When 1 am gone, for my sake romem-
Der my loved ones grave. and place me be-
side her. l could not rest elsewhere. Mono
of those who hate the old man need know.
only let me in death be near her whom in
life I was torn from. In heaven she will
be mine
"Such was the old mans story as he gave
it to me- You have seen poor Mary's grave"
said my friend, pointing to tho white rose
had stood beside the evening before.