South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-05-13
A Wasted Life's Warning.

eyes OF heavens own blue; hair which
cleaned sunshine above q low, broad
forehead; q tall, lissome figure, with
n certain proud grace of carriage all
Its own--such was Lillian Armstrong
when first / saw her.
She had just come home from board
ing-school, and was but seventeen ::
Yet then and there Though she knew
it noD lost my heart to her. But /
was poor, and before long was to leave
America for an indefinite period of
time, having accepted n position in the
East Indies and SO set II seal upon
my lips, and though in the months
that followed l met her frequently.
and We became very good friends, l
said 'good-by' without having disclos-
ed to Lillian how deeply her image
had imprinted itself in nay heart.
III would be wrong l thought to
myself, 'to disturb her maiden uncon-
seriousness by tales of love when it
might be years before / could even
think of marrying
Two years passed, and news came
to me that Lillian was engaged to be
married, and that her betrothed was
Merwin Ransome, my own cousin.
When three more years had gone
by, and, prospcred in my business be-
You'd nay most sanguine expectations,
l was enabled to return to my native
land, this was the story that met ME ::
Merwin, my handsome, talented cous-
III was dying, and it was the falseness
of the one he loved that had caused
the fatal illness from which the doctor
had declared recovery impossible.
fastened Immediately to him but
he was delirious and knew me not.
As | stood looking down upon his
changed form, which | remembered
SO full of life and vigor, indignant
thoughts filled nay mind.
| met Lillian frequently as the days
went by, but did not seek to speak
with her. III my bitter anger ut her
cruel trcachery towards my poor cous.
in | avoided her rs much as possible.
But one day, through accident, at q
friends house, we were thrown to-
gether. She seemed to hesitate mo-
ment as she read the cold aversion in
my face; then coming to my side she
laid her little hand gently upon my
arm.
Once its touch would have thrilled
me to my hearts core; but not now.
My faith and trust in her were gone.
Mr. Waite she said softly, we
were good friends once Have L Of
Tended you in any way!'
Miss Armstrong, / replied, though
1t be rude, must speak what is in my
thoughts. Once L deemed you pure
and noble, worthy of the holy title of
'woman'-now can only call you by
the despicable name of 'coquette.'
She gazed into my face moment
with an incredulous look, as if striv-
ing to understand what | hid said
then her face grew pale and proud.
Il see she said, Il have been iudg-
ed without chance OF self defence.
So be it have no reply to make to
your unlind, unmerited accusation
At the sound of her sweet voice the
old madness came bnck to me, and IN
that moment realized that even tho
| thought her unworthy I loved her
still.
Bat strong in my MANDOLIN my
abhorrenccoft the wrong she had done,
[ crushed back the impulse to speak
and soften my cutting words.
a week later the delirium which
had held Merwin i'll Its chains left him,
although we could all see that the end
WAS drawing very near.
Then for the first time he know me.
80, Harold, old fellow, you have
come home? You little thought to
find me in this wayr
As I claspcd his extended hand, too
much affected to speak, he went on
eagerly:
Harold, for friendships sake, will
you take message from me to Lii
liam must sec her again before
die. OF course you know all about
my broken engagement 2
| could not resist the impulse to say
in answer:
Yes, Mcrwin, I have heard the
story of your engagement, and won.
der that you can forgive and wish TO
see the woman whose falscuess has
ruined your life
lie looked at me with a faint, sur
prised smile
You cannot know what you are
saying Liliian's falscness = Bat I
must not waste my strength talking
now. Go 10 her at oncc-thcrc is no
time 20 lose Tell her am dying and
wish TO bud her farewell.
found her at her home, and gave
hcr Merwin's message. As | spoke
her eyes filled with sudden tears.
i will 90 with you she said.
The room was dimly lighted, but
Mcrwin recognized her ~ she enter.
oil Sho wont IN lia bcJs;Jo ,rI