South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1883-09-28

I.
The mans hand with the knife fell 10
his side.
'Iiis boy, Herbert, is iii and DYING
repeated, and nc calls for his father
and the doctor says If he does not zee
him he cannot possibly live
L shall never forget the look Of ag-
ony that came IN the place OF the an-
ger to the dark face Of Eer5er,'s IA
Their.
MY boy dying, and l herev
He had been beside himself with
anger, but the shock of my words go
bered him, and taking my hand he
led me from the place. Once out in
the street tried to leave him, bat he
held ne tightly.
If my boy lives it will bo you who
saved him. he said; you shall come
with me-
Such n pathetic scene It was when
the mother, hearing footsteps, came
TO the door and saw her husband.
cannot think of it now without tears.
a couple OF hours later the doctor
declared the danger past; the hoy had
seen his fathers his deiiri um quiet
ed, bad sunk into slumber.
So it was that I, Polite Evans, saw.
ed two lives.
Mr st. John, tr1e 20 his word. ne
yer from that time neglected his fami.
~; and Herbert grew and thrived
from his childhood (Which they told
me had always been delicate) into as
stalwart a lad - ever g!addencd a
parents heart.
Twelve years have passed since
then, and am Polite Evans no lon
ger. Bot will not anticipate.
That night was the turning point of
my life.
You must stay with Us, my child
Mrs. ST. John said. 'llcnccforth your
home is in this house, which but for
You would be desolatc indeed. | can
never repay to you the benefits YOU
have given to me, but all that is in
my power shall do. Your real
name IS Mary, You tell me. | had a
sister Mary once, and love the name.
Mary, will you be willing to let me do
what | can to make you happy use.
fal wOman?'
was at once sent to school. OF
course l had mach to un,carn rs we'll
as TO learn. but hard work acccmp-
fishes wonders; and two years ago |
received kindly words from my teach
ers that brought a thrill of pride to
my breast, for | felt that | could ut
last reach the ultimatum OF my long
lug, and 60 forth into the world and
work for myself and be Independent.
One day when | thought we were
entirely alone Mrs. st. John and my.
self-in her boudoir, / broached, the
subject for the ir5t time.
| was little prepared for the effect
Of my words. ! knew that she loved
me, though not till then low much.
Bat though she pleaded, yet was
firm, for had discovered something
within myself that forced me to do so.
But, oh it WIS hard indeed to resist
those tender, earnest tones.
Mary do YOU know that to sec you
leave my roof would break my heart?
You do not speak Is there, then, no
way in which | can induce you 20 give
up this idea that has gained such q
hold over your mind?'
OF course there is,' cried n rich
voice at the door that brought the
blood in torrent from my heart 10
my cheeks, as pushing aside the cur
tains, Herbert entered.
Ills eyes met mine, and fell. a
Joyous light sprang into his handsome
fdce-ihAt face that L had long known
| cared for with more than a sisters
affection.
Ask her to stay as your daughter,
mother
AS stood there bushing crimson,
a soft hand took mine.
Can it be possible, Mary, that you
care for my son? had not dared to
hope for this. I knew that Herbert
loved you, but / never dreamed you
had a thought foi him that was not
merely sisteriy.' (Ah,my short sight
ed benefactress = viii you indeed
stay, Mary, az my daughter
And as my wife?' another voice
added, while strong young arm en-
I folded nc.
And | stayed and here l stiil am
no longer Mary Evans, bat digniE5d
Mrs Herbert st. John. Herbert Of
ten calls me Polly Cor which | dc
not chids him. for / love to hear my
old name spoken in his tender tones
though indeed, perhaps. it might be
rs we'll to say that everything IS m &c
10 me that comes from bis lips.
The uuluckiest 70 an ia Georgia lives
in White county. In attempting I,
cross tho river in a batesu 10 chpsizoC
and threw him into the water. Tryin,
TO reach the boat again, his foot csugh
in snag and wrenched ", losing o
tho Same tfrno n 500 watch Lfs hat