San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1888-03-15
THE SEXTON'S STORY.

| CONCLUDED FhOM Last WEEK.
The train was beginning to move of q
we reached the depot, but the Colone
sprang aboard, and mindful of my promise
to Miss Jean, I followed him. He nevel
glanced around, but taking seat, bowed
his head upon his hands. We ran on fo'
some time; passing several unimportan
stations when. oil at once, there was q
shrill whistle, the train came to stop. and
every one was putting their heads out Of
the windows to see what was the matter
The conductor came through, saying the
train Just ahead of us had been wrecked,
and all of the male passengers hurried to
the scene of the accident. The train had
fallen through bridge and many of the
coaches were piled upon each other, oil
broken and splintered in the greatest con-
fusion. The people of the neighborhood
were doing all they could to clear the
wreck and assist those who were still alive.
Many dead were laid out side by side, while
the groans and shrieks Of the wounded and
dying were fearful and heart-rending.
I don't know whether the Colonel knew
1 was following him or not; he expressed
no surprise at seeing me. Side by side we
looked among the dead and dying until we
came upon the object of our search. Both
were dead; the man crushed and mangled
almost beyond recognition, the woman's fair
face untouched in its marble beauty; q
great beam lying across her breast telling
how she met her death. AS the Colonel
stood over them with clinched hands, dis
torted face, and eyes blazing with maniacal
fury. I raised my heart in gratitude to God,
that he had been spared tho awful deed it
had been his purpose to commit. ! touched
him upon the shoulder.
"whst shall be done, Colonel"
He stared at me vacantly for q moment,
while he removed his hat and passed his
hand over his brow, where the great drops
of cold perspiration were standing. His
ashy lips moved and heard him mutter:
'.Take this cursed Jezebel and bury her,
for she il the daughter of king"
He turned to me after moment. There
under that tree, John. The train is going
to run back to the city for medical as
sistance and to carry oil of the wounded
that can be moved. will return and leave
it with YOU"
Procuring the assistance of a laborer, I
proceeded with my ghastly task.
It was dark when 1 reached the city
again, and went homeword with terrible
of evil. Martha, my wife, met
me at the door, weeping and wringing her
hands.
"Oh, John, thought you would never,
never comel Such q terrible thing has
The Colonel came home crazed
with drink, and when little Lillian climbed
upon his knee-you know he was SO fond
Of her-he hurled her from him with an
oath, As she fell. her head struck the
sharp corner of the mantel, and the doctor
says she cau only live short time"
"Oh Miss Jeanl"
1 hurried up to Lillian's little room where
she lay upon her snowy bed with closed
eyes and painting breath. On one side
knelt Miss Jean, with one Of Lillian's little
iimpled hands clasped in both Of hers,
while ON the other, knelt the poor Colonel,
With Q stony look Of horror and anguish up
on his face. Near was the family physician,
grave and sorrowful, while rocking to and
fro at the hearth was old sable NANNY
Liza, grieving for hsr nursing. For some
Lillian lay quiet, then q smile
passed over her pale lips aud the violet
syes unelosed.
"Oh Jeanie," she whispered. don't you
zee the lilies5 whole garden full Of
pretty lilies. How zig and white they are
-boE they glisten aud shine"
Again she wss silent for awhile. then the
blue eyes unelossd for the last time.
Don't yon hear The nHsie. JeanisY' she
aid family. such beautiful music-and
oh, Jeanis, don't you see. the lilies have
iurned into angels, With long White robes
nd golden harps and crowns lis the an
gels siEging-thsy are calling me-" Add
siih a Iiftls quivering Of TIE bps. little
luitsIing q tbs LANDS. little LiIlian's pure
.pirii vent TO JON tbe Engsls in TIE garden
4 lilies.
We led toe poor Colooel INCREASINGLY
way, the light Ct reason go0t fOrsrsr. AID