Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1881-12-31
She shrank from him, catching her !

She shrank from him, catching her
breath quickly, and then looking back
into his face, alarm upon hers.
eff you love me, Ada" he said, '.you
will laarry mo tonight, here"
It was growing late; the ladies who
had been busy in braiding festoons and
garlands were beginning, with their es-
corts, to disperse. The young rector,
who was Arnold's friend, and also an
especial favorite with Ada's aunt, now
approached the pair he was to accom-
pany Ada home. Arnold briefly, but
passionately, told him his story. The
rector. Mr.. Ward, was eloquent and
devout, favorite with the congrega.
tioa, but sometimes, people said, acting
upon too sudden impulses. He heard
the story and, his own heart sore from
parting with the loved woman he loved
because her father interfered, he said
81 will marry you--it is the only
hing you can do"
Ada hesitated, afraid to take the step,
and Arnold tried his powers of persua-
sion, while the rector went to speak to the
old sexton, an iron gray man, who never
spoke to any one, except when address
sed. One by one, the people were 60
ing, and at last only the rector, the
.exton, Arnold and Ada were left.
81 will marry you," Ada said, at
length, eff you will allow me to go home
with Mr.. Ward as though nothing had
happened. Do no! attemp.to claim me
until after you have graduated, and
upon my part, / Will not tell my father
until you come, except find it nece'-
sary to keep me from a second marriage.
1 will write aud tell you whittier l go, so
you may know where l am always, and
then will wait fer you "
To this he consented-Mt. Ward
thought it wisest, too-and they were
married, the sexton giving the now pale
and anxious bride away, the ring being
M old-fa shioned circlet that had been
Arnoid's mothers, and was seS with two
rubies aud pearl.
The ceremony over, Arnold had but a
moment in which to embrace his ttem-
bling bride, kiss her cold lips, and
whisper reassIring words into her ear,
when there was rap at the church door.
Ada's aunt had become alarmed at her
absence, the fer OF that dreadful stu
dent being in her mind, and had come
to see her safely home.
At the sound Ada slipped, fainting,
from Arnold's arms, and MIR. Ward sent
the sexton for restoratiyes and to open
the door, while he dragged the unwil.
ling Arnold into the street, bidding him
90 home and be n man, or he would
spoil all. =
This did not prevent him from prowl
ing about and returning from "the dra.
cons" as he termed the residence d
Ada's relative, in the carriage with Mr.
Ward, who assured him that Ada had
recovered, but was 50 pale as to excite
the sympathy of her father, who arrived
during his sisters absence and sll
things considered, it was not probable
that he wJull take her away next day.
So Arnoll went to his lodgings, rose
and attended his classes the following
day, getting through them he scarcely
knew how, for he received message
from Mr.. Ward at noon, saying Mr..
Haven had taken Ada away in an early
morning train.
That was nearly five years ago, and
Arnold had not heard one word from her
since that eventual night. He searched
for her, quietly, always; he never
doubted her faithfulness and truth,
Mr.. Ward had since lost favor with
his congregation, and gone across the
Continent even A1a's aunt had dlsap-
peared-there was no clew to his lost
wife remaining. he was growing tired
of waiting, aud never was he so weary
Of i as on this winter afternoon.
The conductor now came to collect his
.icket the next station was his last. He
looked up and say the sunset sky was
olood-red aud glowing-it had touched
with rosy brightness the threadbare
patches OF snow.
The train was curying slowly round
one hill before it began the ascent of
another, and presently there came in
view pretty. modern country house in
gray, touched up with red, its windows
shining in the red ligh. like mine OF
rubies.
Arnold snatchod up satchel and
umbrella, and went out upon the plat
form for lingering look at the house,
which, pert looking as possible, was
perched at the foot of the hill. AS the
train still curved, he was reward ed with
another glimpse of the house, the end
of it being now in sight, and lighted
lamp within showed an invaid's easy
chair, geranium gay with flowers, and,
lastly, o yoUsg girl watching the train.
One glance, and then he Looked with
heart and eyes, for slr.ly this world
could never hold two such faces.
He descended one of the platform
steps, and leaned further over to make
assurance surer still and then su iden
iolting of the Car, together with the ex-
citement of the moment, caused him to
lose his hold, and he fell headlong
down the embankment, and on down
the hillside, striking branches OF 6rees.
projecting rocks and frozen ground al
ternately but failing to grasp anything
to stay his fall, until it was arrested by
the very gate posts near the door of the
house he had been watching.
The girl rushed ont. She had seen
it all, but failed to recognize in the
fuller form snd heavily mustached lips
her love--husband of five years ago.
'Is it possible You are not killed?
sne asked, with more nervousness than
discretion, as she knelt by his side.
"I don't know" he said, stunned
and dazsd and benumbed by a hun
dred bruises. 81 only know"-making
n effort to clasp her hands-"I have
found you ut last, Ada, my wife"
Then she knew him, and as, with a
pleading glance, he looked into her
face, which gradually changed to un.