Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-12-11

my vengeance i0rcstalled. could with
hold the blow NJ longer or other and
gentler hands would deal it for me.
But ere l accust d him at the bar Of
public justice would blast his imay,
IN the heart OF Virginia Holland. |
would stab her 10 the soul, and louS on
exultingly in her agony, Iwould say to
her,
For this low wretch, this common
thief, you have sighted my loye!'
That very hour, with the scraps ofpa-
per bottoned safely in my pocket, /
made my way safely 10 her dwelling.
With all my guilty anger 1 was
coward. | dared not face the woman
whose death-blew was about to deal.
turned and sat down in a garden
chair in the deep shadow waiting to con
quer my weakness. As l sat there
heard a low, deep sigh proceeding from
the shrubbery near at hand.
Peering cautiously between the bush-
es saw Virginia Holland kueeling up.
on the sod, with her hands claspsd be.
fore her face. From her attitude | be-
liercd she VAS weeping,
She has heard Of his danger | NUT
tered bitterly, 'aad weeps for him.
Well, Saw her agony; did | exull in
itas had promised my sclfto do? No.
mad with despair and jealousy as
was, my better nature conquered. An
lnstantaneou. reYulsion effeeling swept
over me-a fclling Of shame for my
premeditated revenge and pity for her
sorrow. felt that she was suffering az
| had suffered.
AS ! had loved her, so, doubtless. did
she love Haworth. Whatever wreng
he had done ME. | could not wound him
through her breast. A calm glorsus
thought stole into my troubled soul
thought of pardon and sacrifice. 1t
brought a sense Of melancholy pleasure
to me that seemed ia some measure to
prepare me for the burden was about
To take upon m} sell.
Arising irom my seat.I stole uOisless-
Is to her side, and bending above her
pressed iny lips upon her upralsed brow
had not the right to. then?-snd
whispering. Do not weep. Virginia, l
will save him ; turned hastily away.
The next instant the scraps Of paper
| hadso carefully treasured. torn into a
thusand pieces. scattered far and wide.
had resolved for her sake to save
Haworth. cost what it might. l feared
that If his affair were to be submitted to
any closer scrutiny, his guilt must be-
come apparent. Therefore the suspicion
resting upon him must be ayerted. An
othar criminal must he fOund-ready t.
confess his guilt and accspt bis fate with
ont resistance. Wha 81 fit for the sac
flee as myself. For her sake would
have suffered hundred fold "a much.
did not pause to rehast, but making
my way to Mr.. Holland. boldly accused
nv sci. of forgery. and invoked justice
upon myself. The rest has been told.
had paced the cell for several hours
recalling these events to my mind will
species Of bitter satisfaction. when sud
denly the dead silence Of the night va
broken by tremendous tumult outside
"A heavy trampling Of feet. and an up
roar o,voices as Of a vas. crowd, pene
trated the thick walls q my prison.
Peering out Of the barred window.
beheld two hundred operatives Of tn,
mill clustering about the door. TIL
/ light of the torches that they carried fel
upon mv face. and l heard my nam
shouted with thunder Ofapplause.
What did it mean? I learned that
had been discovered that was innO
cent and my sacrifice had been 70
nothing.
Presently the key grated in the lock
the door was flung open and there en-
tered-not the jsilor as expected, bu
Virginia Holland. with hair disheyele
and eyes ad lme. followed at little dis
tance ny her father.
Come she cried impctuously. seiz
ing ms hand. Come away from thI
dreadful place
What, IS this?' I asked, drawing bac
in amazement. Why are you here
Virginia Know you not that | am
ieliOtl. scIl-dCCuSea' "iiilh5 w f'N'' ~
guilt?'
'Ikusw.' she exclaimed, raising he
tear-wet eyes to mine, that you ar
no felon but the noblest man that eve
lived. know all, Mansfield, mar
than auy ons but You can toll M. Com
wilhus them
While stood staring at her in stupl
wonder. Mr.. Holland stepped forwar
and explained all that had passed.
Alarmed by the turn which the invei
. legations were taking. IIaworth had fie
from the town that night, leaving as
claim upon his uncle's clcncncy a
sb,ect confession Of his guilt.
Though he could not understand N
design in eliminating myself, M
Holland had taken immediate steps
procure my release.
\ Now. what does it mcanP be aske
. why did OH accuse yourself Man
field ?
DO not ask him nown inlerrupt'
Virginia, blushing. 4 know why
Them cried passionately. ~