The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-05-30

| ran mao, anu SDIlekeu Oue elllleh aiIei
another, and wrung her hands, and tore
her beautiful, sunny curls by turns.
i And Frank was bewildered, and knew
not which to approach first, or where his
services were most needed; and he ran
about like wild man, first to one, and
then to another of these poor, suffering
creatures. He lifted his mother from
the floor and laid her upon lounge,
and he lifted Miss Smith and laid her
upon bed; and they began soon to
show signs of consciousness; and then he
examined his father, and ascertained that
he was paralyzed. He then approached
Mona Liza, and said, "Be calm. We
know nothing yet certainly in regard to
this matter. You see the situation that
my father is in; he may have stated the
matter truly, and he may not. He has
been in a very strange situation. Frank
may be dead and he may not. We will
ascertain the truth at the earliest posi-
Bile point of time. And now, wish you
to be calm, and do what you can for these
afflicted people, while 1 summon the
neighbors and call physician"
Frank went to the barn, saddled feet
horse, and threw himself into the saddle,
and set out for the village on wild gal
lop. AS he passed the nearest neighbor''s
house he called, and requested them to
90 10 Mr.. Williams and assist in waiting
on the sick ones. They promised to at
tend the call, and Frank, remembering
the fatal mistake that had Occurred-the
fatal similarity between his cousin and
himself, pulled off his coat and drew
down his hat over his eyes, and as far
disguised himself as was practicable in
the haste required; for he believed that
what was done to alleviate his father
must be done soon. DR.. Wilson was q
man sixty years of age, but his natural
force was not abated-in truth he was a
stouter man than he had been at thirty
and soon, very soon, he was by the par.
alyzed man.. Ellen was moving about
again, and The Doctor said:
"You know, Mrs. Williams, that your
| husband cannot bear excitement. He
has had some terrible shock. What has
he met with to throw him into this con-
dition?"
"Do you not know" faltered the wo-
man, with white lips, "that our Frank
has come homer
"Your Frank has come home," said
the doctor. "Then who was that man
that we buried few days ago?"
"He was cousin-the son of my hus-
bands brother"
ga precious SET of fools we have all
been," returned the doctor.
"We have been more than FOOLS" re-
piled Mrs. Williams, eve have been
wicked. We were guilty of great
wrong toward that poor boy, that fled to
us from his Virginia home. And he is
dead, and it can never be righted."
The paralyzed man appeared little
! better toward evening, he breathed more
| freely, and manifested some slight con-
sciousness, and Mrs. Smith and Mona
Liza had become quiet and Mrs. Will
liams was attending to her sick husband,
| in apparent health, and Frank began to
make his toilet, thinking to call on Eli
more Marsh.
"Please do not leave us this evening""
said his mother.
"Why, mother, must see Nellie; you
know that must" replied Frank.
"Please defer your visit till tomorrow
at least you can do that much," pleaded
his mother.
"Mother," said Frank, "you have some
reason that / 60 not understand for your
persistence. What is it? Do you think
that father is worse?"
"No," replied the woman, "I think
father will be up and about in few
days"
"Tell me, mother, please, at once, why
you do not wish me to see my betrothed
this evening"" said Frank, walking up
close to his mother.
The mothers face was as white as a
lily leaf; her eyes were unnaturally
bright; her hands worked nervously, but
she did not answer him.
care you sick, mother?" said Frank,
laying his hand on the braided bands
encircling the beautiful head, and caress-
ing her. She burst into tears, and wrung
her hands in weak, helpless manner.
aWill you not answer me, mother?
You certainly can have no aversion to
Nellie, my own Nellie. You told me
once that you could receive her. as a
daughter"
20, Frank, Frank, please give her up; ;
please cease to love her." walled the
mother.
"Preposterous," cried Frank. "You
surely cannot be serious, mother. Cease
to love Nellie! could not do that if I
would; and I would not if could. My
dear mother, my love for Miss Marsh is
part of my heart-part of my life"
20, am so sorry; l regret that it is
so," said his mother. "Remain with us
just this day out, please, my son."
Mother, darling mother, my good lit
tie mother, / could do almost anything in
this world for you. I will even under
take to surround the North Pole at your
bidding, but this cannot, mother mine.
must see my betrothed, almost my wife.
My first duty is to her, and mother dear,
your request appears to me absurd"
30, if you will not wait, I shall be
compelled to acquaint you with the
dreadful truth" shrieked the agonized
woman. 20 tell him, Jennie, I never
can" she said, turning to Mrs. Smith.
"Will you," said Frank, Inform me,
if you know, why my mother is so dis
tressed?"
81 know" said the pale, suffering wo-
man, "why she wishes you to refrain
from visiting Miss Marsh"
evil you please speak out plainly 2"
said Frank, sand do away with this sus-
pense? never could bear suspense with
equanimity in my life"
"There is no more Miss Marsh to
love or CHERISH" said Mrs. Smith, "they
tell me-"
"Dead" whispered Frank, shivering
as with an ague.
Married p said the woman.
20, my God, hast thou, too, forgotten
me-" shrieked Frank, while the warm
blood flowed from his mouth and nose,
and his face wore the ashen hue of
death.
The women laid each q hand upon
him, and fain would have spoken words
&c consolation hut tho anr ,yoo 1onf oDd