Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1879-04-26

Finally, no longer able to control her
emotions, she called her carriage, when
be accompanied her home, receiving an
abrupt dismissal at the door.
From this point his visits became fire.
quent, though for while received with
an Indifference verging upon scorn. q
Reaching her room Nellie threw her-
selfupon the bed, when her long pent
ND emotions broke into sobs. In suffer-
ing and anguish she lay for hours unable
to sleep, occasionally her form undergo
ing burning calm, to be followed by
successive quivers and mental tumult.
Ever and anon tears would gush from
her eyes while she cried violently.
He conscience dictated that she should
write to James, but pride stepped in be-
tween and shut off the proposition.
Thus she remained in state of bitter
conflict, wavcring between right and
wrong until an uneasy slumber brought
oblivion to her senses.
James Richardson was once poor,
friendless boy and an orphan. After a
period of disastrous speculation, his
father died insolvent.
James was but twelve years old at the
time of his double misfortune. Being an
industrious and ambitious youth, he
was too proud to accept the charities Of
rich relatives. So he sought to ,earr6iis
own livelihood, and obtained a place as
GRAND boy i'll the mercantile establish
ment of Harvard Graham.
BY good conduct and a cheerful per-
Torrance of his duties, he soon won the
esteem of those with whom he came in
contact, especially that of his employer.
Step by step he rose until at the ex-
piration of five years, he was installed
as chief clerk of the establishment.
One year later Mr.. Graham retired
from business. James became sole pro-
prietor, and at the time our story opens
was one of the most prominent mer-
chants in the city.
He became acquainted with Nellie
soon after her return from school, at the
age of eighteen. With the consent of
her father he wooed and won her.
And now what a sad awakening ten
months later. o.
This was September, and they were to
have been married on the fifteenth of
November, Nollie's birthday.
He loved her with such folIdness and
devotion, surely his thoughts were pain
full as he tottcred from the festive scenes
at Mr.. Hartwclls palatial residence.
Reaching home, he paced his room
through the weary night, striving ever
to gain the mastery, and cease the terri
bic warfare which seemed to crush out
his very life. But in vain.
Just as the 9gray, shadowy light of
morning ushered in the day, wildly
catching up his hat he rushed out into
the street, and with: a reckless stride
turned into the avenue leading to the
river @
Did you notice the wild flash Of his
eye as he passed the gas jet in the hall,
and the veins on his forehead were swo-
len as if ready to burst.
That furrowed brow, with it's pur-
pie lines has thrown the flash of dclirium
ilr that proud eye. That rapid stride
means reckless purpose.
Let us follow him!
On he hurries. As he nears the bluff
bank of the stream the glorious eye of
the morning sun throws its first rays
into his troubled face, as if to chide and
check him. But he needs it not, and
continues on until the bank is at his
feet.
For a moment he hesitates. His arms
arc folded upon his breast. He raises
his eyes hcavenward. His lips move
in whispered articulation.
O The wind catches up tho words and
watts them to our curious ears. They
embrace a tcmbcr prayer for: NJ
"Ncllie, motherhood forgive ~
Then far out upon the air he threw
himself! The rushing waters seemed to
laugh glecfully rs he neared their merci-
less surface. The splash came, and the
river closed over IFS yictimw
"What, man alive owould you destroy
YOURSELF" exclaimed the voice ofsa fish
erman, who dragged James unccncious
body into his skiff.
But there was no answer, aid the
tiishcrman's voice died in echoes while
James fell back into the skiff with a
groan, which caused the fisherman to
remark: 81
"There is certainly good aeal OF
anguish in that groan."
The fisherman now abandoned his nets
and rowed his boat with its unconscious
load of human freight to the landing.
BY means of letters in his poe ket his
name and residence was ascertailsed, and
in short time he was being conveyed
home, accompanied by his rcscuer.
With fearful eyes his mother listened to
the recital of the fisherman's stosy. The
family physician was sent for, and i'm
mediate efforts made to restore him to
life.
This was finally done, but reason was
soon swept away byethee deliriam of a
high fever. The physician pronounced
it dangerous attack of brain foyer.
For days his life was despairel-it was
hanging upon thread! Hopeless and
with fearful eyes his friends nEinistrr