Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1880-04-17
How we were Parted.

seemed nasght lacking tue si2hl OF one W.
mans smile, the sound Of one woman voice.
She loved me, too, and nothing seemed able
to destroy the prospect OF our mutual haprl-
ness since none could say nay. And yet sit
alone lorlorn, sad. broken-hearted man,
while she love sleeps in her quiet grave, lar,
away from me
Let me recall the past. once more, and tell
how il came about that | am alone IN lae
world.
| had lust returned from my morning round
of professional visits, and was sitting III my
study one bright June morning, when mes
scnger sought NE in great haste to say that
had been seut for by lady who feared that
her child was dying | los, no time 10 hurry
inr 10 the address given me-a small house ~
one of the quetest Of our London suburbs, the
door Of which was opened by young snd
very beautiful woman.
You are The DOCTOR p she said, in q voice
of wonderful sweetness.
lbowei assent.
''rben you will save my darling! she went
on. You must-yOu must
answered nothing, but drew nearer and
looked down upon the unconscious form Oi the
little sufferer.
He was beautiful boy, scarce three years
OF ace. with deepest blue eyes, wide open and
brilliant with fever which had r!so lett It's
crimson stain upon each cheek, II startling
contrast TO the marble whiteness of the brow.
few moments professional examination
convinced me thu, the child was beyond the
reach Of professional skill, aud except to ale
yia,e bis sulrrings my services could avail
nothiag brt how to tell the mother?
You can save him, DOciorY
The question was an appeal. / would have
given all possessed in that moment TO have
taken her hand in mine AMI answered. Yes
but dared not palier with the truth.
i w;Il.do all that can answered. 1t
is but little.
lie will die, you mean p she gasped cut:
lie shall A, least die in peace | replied.
'Ue shall not. must not die : she walled
sObl Heaven. spare him to me J Spare me
my boy she prayed again sinking on hef
knees aud claspiug her areas about the h'l'e
form.
An hour later we un,oosenec the cllngine
tonch from the then sonndless mould oi cay,
and b,re her scuGeless TO Ter bed. She knew
nothing for days, not even when We laid the
BABY in lis spo,ess coiliu aud bore him to The
graveyard
When she first recovered consciousness |
WAS beside her. She looked down at her arms;
they were empty. She glanced Obou! the
room it was silent.
WHY did you save nc she cried when
YOU could not save for me oil that made liIe
sweet?
But when she grew stronger and calmer she
,hanked me for nv care-thanked me so hum
bly that felt would rather bear her re-
proaches. Her child had been dead six months
when began TO understand my hearts secret,
ana 10 learn why still Continued the VISITS
no longer professionally required.
One evening entered the rooms noticed
slight shade of embarrassment IN her manner
Doctor, said she, you have never sent nc
your bill
1t is very large answered. sravcly.
THAT does not matter she replied
may not have The entire sum necessary at my
command-I am not a rich woman-6ut 10
time promise to pay it all.
4 must have immediate payment ] an
swered. cannot be sailsled Oul WIN 'nc
whole
Her face paled.
The amount ?? she questioned.
But conld no louser wear my mask.
Yourself. darling With this. and This
only. will lie couicut. You told nc the lie
| helped you to resto WIS yalue'ess to you.
Let nc gladden. il with little sweetness =
This is the only payment | Will have. Tel
me dearest will you give it 20 me 2
You have asaed me nothing Of my lie,
she answered.
i wish to kuow nothing replied. !
loye you ueel 70 more except yonr love.
TOW good, bow generous you nre' she
whispered.
Aud softly her little hand stole into mine,
and knew that had gained my trcastf re. Her
moiher-h, art was empty, robbed and detpol,
cG Perhaps it was for this reason 1t turned
to me for coufori | 50 gladly gave.
A., last our wedding day was liked when one
evening. as was preparing to 20 10 her,
heard hurried knock at my door, and ere |
could reach it. it was thrown open, and Flea
nor. white and breathless, entered my room.
A dread sense Of some calamity came over
me As looked upon her.
My darliugr said, Fastening to her,
what hts brought you hefeY 90.
To tell you, she replied, in n calm, cold
voice. that may never be your vile.
And why
lle claims ne
Aud with a low cry she fell faiuiing to the
floor.
lifted her in my arms and laid Der upon a
couch. rnd at last succeeded 10 restoring her to
consciousness only to hear the Whole miseraole
story.
She had married, when she was but eish-
teen. a man utterly Unworthy Of her, aud by
whom. shortly afterwards, she was deserted,
at tine when she most ueedei bis tendcreSt
care and. devotion though in justice to the
man il must be said it was IN ignorance Of
this fact.
Six mouths after her child was born, and
they were supported by her owu toll and The
scsnty remnant Of her fortune. which she nsd
retained in her own possession When the
baby was three months old the runof. seem
ineiy substantiaied, reached her Of her hus-
bands death.
This afternoon, sitting 10 her room thinking
Of me and the new life soon TO begin for Us
both. knock had come 10 her door. She
spraus eagerly 10 open, Il. thinking it was
mice. when. instead, he1 husband stood upon
tue threshold
lie hal returned, repentant and successful,
exultaut with the thousbtof the happy future
which might be 10 store for him. At her feet
he prayed fo. forgiveness. until, fearful would
come. she reused from the stony apathy into
which she had fallen, and, making some pre-
/ text, had thus sought ne.
was mad forgot reason aud honor.
/ asked her what wero this mans claims upon
her com pared 70 mice. entreated her by all