South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1882-07-14

IN the hay lustre Of the sky and the
moon arose, coming up grandly above
the purple sleeps. Still he had not
come, and the poor wife's heart began
to grow sick with hope deferred. An
other hour, and then, above the muir.
INJURIOUS music of the night, she heard
a sharp step upon the gravel, aud
started TO her feet, flushed and breath
less; but the next instant she fell back
pale with disappointment, forthe steps
were nothis-she knew that long be.
fore the person came i'm sight. He
advanced towards the porch where she
sat, with q slow, uncertain step, oh.
serving which, and recognizing him
as one of her neighbors, SHE advanc.
cd to meet him
MIR. Rutherford, is it you? | am
looking for my husband. What do
you think can detain him?'
The man stood still, his face full of
silent, unspeakable pity. Something
IN It's expression caught her quick eyes,
and she sprang forward and grasped
his arm.
'Mr. Rutherford you bring me Ii.
dlngs. Speak, don't keep me in sus-
pense.'
Still the man was silent.
oh sirr she entreated don't tri.
tie with my feelings. Do you know
anything concerning my husband? If
yon do, for mercy's sake speak ont =
Madam | have heard-that is
there is bad news he began, his voice
husky and broken.
Her face grew ga white as death ::
but her eyes were clear and calm. and
her band strong as she grasped his
arm.
'Sir, IT you pity me, tell me the
worst at once; l can bear it.
We'll, Madam, your husband and
his party have been waylaid and muir
dered by the Indians
All! Did none escaped
Not onep
She turned sharply, leaving him
without word, and he saw her enter
the house, and close the door after
her-and that was the end. He
would never come back any more.
no matter how patiently shc might
wait and watch. lie would never
know that he had n son, never look
upon The little chubby face, with it's
bold, blue eyes and sunny curls, SO
like his own. From henceforth her
heart ana home were desolate.
And this was the anniversary Of
her wedding day. Six years ago, and
she was happy bride. Five years
she had been broken hearted widow.
Her boy slept in his little bed, and
she sat thinking, thinking and gazing
out into the low leaden sky; and the
wihd-tossed trees. The night was
closing in rapidly-a night of storm
and darkness. The rain came down
III great smoking sheets, and the wild
walling winds rushed round the ga.
bles, and went shriekiug over the hills
like human souls in agony. Her heart
ached with desolalon that seemed in
suportable. Life was so hard, yet,
for the boys sake, she must endure
and live on. She looked down at her
sable garments with hot, binding
tears. Six years ago, and she was
robed in gems and blossoms. His
face, his very voice, seemed to come
back TO her,& she fat cied that lis glori.
fed spirit must be near her. No matter
how high above her, how happy, she
knew that he loved her still, and his
glorifed spirit may have left its home
OF bliss to keep with her that sad an.
nversary--the fancy consolcd her be.
yond expression. She glanced over
at the sleeping boy with dim hope
that his father loved and watched o.
yer him. Then sudden impulse
shot across her mind she would not
keep the anniversary of her wedding
day in the garments of her widow.
hood she would put OIL the robe he
loved. If he knew aught of her poor.
sad life. he should see how sacredly
she remembered aud observed his
simplest wishes.
Stealing up to her chamber, she
took out the mauve silk, and dainty
iaces, growing yellow and time-worn
and The pretty jet and gold ornaments,
and arrayed herself as in DAYS gone
by; aud the old bloom came back 10
her cheeks, and the brightness TO her
eyes aud she seemed to drop her
years and her widowhood, aud TO
spring out afresh into the rare beau
! ty OF her early maidenhood. Thus
arrayed, she went down softly, and
seated herself before the blazing fire,
her face teartul and expectant. II
hi5 soul was near, aud she chung to
the hope that it was as she chung TO
lie, he should sec how tendelly she
remembered him.
The anniversary night wore on,
Wild and dark, with thc storm, and
stu the poor vile, dazed by her ter
rible sorrow sat by her lonely hearth.
stone, robed in her festive garments.
At last there came a step without.
a sharp inpatient step ON tie gravel,
bat she did not hear it. a weary.