Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1886-04-27

{" You have a kind face, and you
shall know the truth. Twas starving,
and tainted in the street. When 1
next knew anything, Twas here; and
all have been so good to me that /
ought to live. But don't wish to
live, 1 want to diei'
why. Was your lover falseP
The girl drew locket from its
resting place, and touching spring,
held it toward her.
"Does that look like false face,
lady? Mol would stake my life on
his truth But one morning he, my
husband, kissed me and went out,
and have never seen him SINCE"
As Mrs. Markham looked Mt the
picture her heart gave great throb.
1t was not alone the old mothers lost
darling whom she saw, but one who
had q nearer and dearer claim Upon
one whom she herself loved better
than life, and she knelt by the girls
side and put her arm around her.
" Nellie" she said 50 can you bear
good news?"
The girl raised her tcar-stained
face, wonderingly. She read a
solemn gladness in the noble face
bending above her.
"oh, tell mel" weaving her thin
hands together convulsiyely. tits
about Kenneth-my husband7"
Yes, and my son."
"Let us go to him ut once" said
Nellie.
+" Yes, dear, as soon as I can make
the necessary arrangements. But
YOU must first know how it came that
he never returned to you after that
sad morning. He was coming to me
to tell me of his marriage, know
now-wheh, to keep poor little
street waif from being crushed under
the iron hoof of some heavy dray
horse, be sprang forward, and the
next moment was lying d crushed,
bleeding mass before my eyes.
He was carried to my house, but
the injury was to the brain, and he
has not had sensible moment since
the accident. 1have wondered much
at his continued raYing about 'Nelliei'
Now / know.
I" As soon as you are strong enough
to bear 1t, will take you to him. He
is so changed that it will be n great
shock to YOU to sec him, and he will
not know you"
"My love shall bring him back 70
health aud reason," said Nellie fer
vently. 81 will not leave him night
or day."
"Such loving care will do more for
him than medicine. and your hopeful
ness begins to find an echo In my
heart. Now tell me why you should
be so secret about your marriage? /
have never denied Kenneth a single
thing he asked for since his babyhood,
and had he confided in me, all this
sorrow and. suffering might have been
avoided"
My father, though old, is very
stern and set in his way, and he was
very angry at my falling in love with
n fine gentleman, who'd break my
heart after he tired of his new. toy.
That was what he said Uf Kenneth,
and felt in my hearts core that it
was wicked sIander. So, when he
coaxed, was not slow 10 come to his
way of thinking. We were such chill
dren-please forgive usl i see now
that it was wrong"
The thought of Kenneth alive and
restored to her, seemed to have al
ready restored her strength, and it
was not many hours before she stood
by her husbands bedside.
The very sound of her voice seemed
to have a soothing influence upon the
sufferer, and after weeks of weary
watching, both by day and night, the
cloud lifted from the troubled brain,
and Kenneth knew her. t1r.5I
He is now fully restored, though ahe
will always carry the scar Of his in
they live with Kenneth,s mother,
but the old people at the farm are
made glad by frequent letters and
yearly visits from Nellie and her hug
band.