Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-03-20
Au Original Storg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
THE BARSTOWS.
BY VICTOR VERNON.
CHAPTER VII.


1UcY's NARRATIVE coNcLUDED-BowED BY
THE STORM.
December 24th 1t is Christmas eve.
Sitting alone in my silent room, with my ba-
by asleep and Tina employed at her work.
1 open these pages once more, to chronicle
the events which have happened since wrote
last. 1t is sort of relief to this dead, dull
grief of mine, to open my heart even to this
dumb, senseless conidante, since there is no
human being to sympathize with me, no hu-
man hand to which can cling as struggle
through the waves and billows which How
over me.
1t was in September that the blow came.
My darling had seemed better-so much bet
ter, that my fear was lightened, almost re-
moved, and I had begun to think l had
been childishly nervous and apprehensive.
But one evening, as we sat together in this
gery room, he suddenly exclaimed, "Oh! this
eharp pain !" and laid his hand upon his
breast. I few to him-he was deadly pale,
and q cold dew stood on his forehead. l
tried what remedies were at hand, such as he
had been accustomed to use, and after few
minutes he was relieved. But this was only
the beginning. Late as it was, my faithful
Tina hurried off through the darkness to the
house of old Peter Grobel, the goatherd, to
get him to 60 in search of the doctor. | Of
fered reward if he should bring him with
out delay and by the following night he was
here.
suppose he did what he could. may be
doing him an injustice, but do not think he
understood, in the slightest degree, the nature
of nv husbands disease A child could have
treated him as we'll. When l saw his utter
incapacity, gave way to despair, only to exert
myself afresh to do all that I knew how, lit
tie as it was. Even then, Ralph smiled at
my anxiety, and insisted that he would soon
be we'll. But the doctors presence disturbed
him, and had to send the latter away, after
paying him his fee.
"Don't bring any more strangers about me,
darling," he said, when we were alone again.
"You are all the doctor I want. You have
tended me before, you know"
knew he had never been so ill before, but
I was afraid to tell him so.
For a day or two things went on in the
same way. Tina took charge of the baby,
and gave up every other occupation to wait
upon Ralph He did not grow palpably
worse, and a faint, faint ray of hope began to
dawn in my heart.
One night, thinking he was asleep. | sat
perfectly quiet beside the bed. l suppose he
did not see me, for was in the shadow, and
he suddenly inquired if was there. | lean
ed over him and took his hand.
"Do you want me, Ralph" l asked.
Eyes. l want to say something to you.
Lucy, i believe now that have been mis-
taken, all along"
l noticed that his voice had sharp, trem'
ulous sound unusual to it. mistaken in
what dear?" l asked him.
"In thinking that could get away from
it," he answered.
The idea Immediately occurred to me that
he was wandering. l stroked back the hair
from his forehead, and kissed him. | felt
afraid to ask him any more questions.
"Did YOU hear what l said?" he presently
went on.
yes, Ralph But did not know exactly
what you meant" was my reply. -.
"Of course you did not know. Poor child,
how should you? There are many things
you are ignorant Of" he continued, in the
same odd manner. 81 meant that l was
pursued-am still pursued-by shadow
Or rather memory. 1t haunts me- l have
tried to escape from it, but I can't. 1t is
there now, right before me-
"Don't think of it. DEAR" said l, trying to
soothe him. 1T will 60 away again"
"No-no! not until I am dead" was his
agitated reply. "Even there it may folio"
me- Do you think it can get there. Lucy
into my grave, l mean
was now thoroughly frightened, and
bringing the light nearer, that might see his
face, 1 commenced busying myself with some
little details about the bed, in order, If posi-
BILE, to divert his thoughts, speaking, at the
same time, in as cheerful a tone as could
assume He answered me vaguely, and went
back almost directly to the subject that
wished to Danish from his mind.
because, if it can, the grave will bring nc
peace" he went on. "And it is so near, now
so very near Oh! Lucy, my love, must
leave you so soon? Was it worth while, only
for this p
knew not what to say. My heart felt
sick and faint, and I could only caress him
mutely, while tried to pray for help in that
dark hour. He did not speak again directly
but moved uneasily on his pillow, and sighed
heavily two or three times. At length, |
asked him if he felt any pain.
Pain! Oh! such pain as l trust you may
never know" he earnestly replied. "Not in
,oy hodv-that il easy enough, tonight