Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-06-14


come home about clock, with his broth
er. AS they crossed Broadway, near Full
ton street, Raymond fell on some ice whicl
/ was partially concealed by light cover
/ ing of snow. He could not save himself
and George, who was little ahead, turned
| just in time to see him fall, striking hi
head against the wheel of an omnibus
which was rafting by. He was taken u
senseless and carried into a shop near by
! a physician was sent for, but the suffere
!. was still unconscious when his brother
! left to break the news to Madge.
/ By the time she had heard these details
the carriage arrived, bringing Raymond
who WAS carried to his room, and Madgt
crept in with bated breath and looked al
the PROSTATE figure with a silent awe. Sht
could not yet realize the blow. The doc
! tor came. He looked very grave. Madgt
) followed him down stairs, drew him into
the library, and, looking at him with he1
honest eyes, she asked, in a hard
voice which she could hardly recognize as
her own: Twill he die 20
"Now, Mrs. Hinsdale,' stammered the
| physician, do not get excited"
II never was more calm in my life." she
said, in the same dull voice; ''tell me at
once, please"
"Well, certainly consider your husband
in great danger. However, we must watch
him carefully, and when he comes out of
this comatose state we shall be able to tell
more about him."
eff he does not become con scious for
some timer" she demanded, with a look of
terror on her face.
Il trust he will. If he shows any signs
of consciousness before return, send for
me-"
He hurried off. Madge clasped both
hands to her head. With low, smothered
shrek, she cried OUT II said wished I
might never see him again.
Presently she started up and fastened
to the sick room, where she watched all
night. Every breath which the patient
drew was counted. Madge held one Of his
hands, and noticed every variation in the
pulse. 1t grew perceptibly weaker toward
morning. AS faint crimson light, the
herald of Gods new day, began to peep
over the house-tops, Raymond Hinsdale
breathed his last. He slept his life quietly
away. When the pomp and glory Of the
morning skies were ushering in the day.
God called this human soul to Himself.
Never could Madge ask bis forgiveness
for the last words he had heard her utter;
never would the sound of those cruel words
leave her. They echoed in her brain until
she was almost mad. She saw them written
in letters of FIRE all about her. He had left
her in anger; her tears and her repentance
could no longer reach him; her remorse
he could not know.
Do you think this very dismal story?
Perhaps you have never thought, as you
spoke cross word, that you might find no
place for repentance. Yet those of you
who have gazed on the features of some
dear one for the last time, as they lay in
that repose which sooner or later will fall
upon us almost of you, looking thus at
the lips which will never smile at you
again, would have given all you possessed
to be able to take back some unkind word
which will stand out so clearly in your
memory. To you who have felt this agony
I give Madge Hinsdale's story. May you
find peace, as she did at last, in the
thought that God is wiser than we are.
Perhaps hereafter those loved ones may
know how bitterly we repented, and how
dear they were to us through it all. We
can trust God for that Only let it make
US more careful about hurting other
peoples feelings; let it check the careless
word or act, and we shall have learned our
lesson as Madge Hinsdale did hers.