The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-09-18
FAITHFUL TILL DEATH.
Arising From His Death-Bed to Sink
Into hIs -weetneart'- Arms.

Arising From His Death-B Bed to Sink
Into HIs sweetheArt'- Arms.
TerIyviIle Comm special: John j..
Gierding, a prominent young merchant,
died here suddenly this week under cir
cumsta0ces that were as romantic as pa
thetic. Mr. Gierding was 50 years Of age
and the leading grocer Of the town. He
had inherited from his father, an old sea
captain, some $50 900. principally in real
estate. By the will the mother had been
neglected and received nothing. Her son
supported her. as was Lis duty. but she
wanted him 10 share the property with her,
as she desired t. he independent This he
refused to do ano many qaArreis ensned.
About year ago GieUdng became en-
gagged 10 Miss Kate EgBu, ven pretty
girl, here. aged 20 years. She was por
and he looked % his marriage As the
means Oi raising her TO 3 position OF con-
psrative affluFnce. His mother violently
opposed all such arrangements, as the ap
pearance uf children would siIl further re
move all chances Of her sharing tns wealth
OF her son. The Old lady finally became
80 violent thaf she was sent away from the
hOuse, whereupon she eutered suit against
her son for large sum fpr past services
rendered HIN in the capacity of house
kt eper
Lest week Mr.. Gierding became suddenly
Ill of pneumonia and had to take 20 Lis
Ded. HIS mother took advantage OF this 10
r. turn tO the house and assume charge, for
she expected E~s Egan would attempt 20
see her lover. all this size dete rmined TO
prevent. The sick man had fortunately
some days previous &C. his illness decided to
make VIII IN favor Ot bis pr spactlve
BRIDE THIS be had in his bed room, but be
felt sure that his mother would destroy
II II she discovered II, 50 he was in n guam
nary how TO get it to his sweetheart.
His mother and his relatives, with their
doctor. had complete possession of the
premises. Last Wednesday the sick man
10 deaths door heard a cOWm0tOD down
stairs de lSteE 4 and beard the sobs and
pleaoings of his sweetheart. begging 10 be
allowed onlJ to see her lover. She was
curtly refused and roughly ordered out Of
the house. The dying man could stand this
no longer. He felt his end approaching and
determined 20 see his loved one once more
ard tO give her the wilI- In a moment he
was out OF bed His watchers were away.
In an instant he was at the stairs, and, the
viii grasped in bis hands, he was stzgger-
Ing down the stairs in his bed clothes The
girl saw him, and, dashlng past her aston
ished enemies, caught her fiance in her
arms as be sank 10 the II sor al the foot of
the steps. lie had only strength to say
''GOO0by and keep this" holding out the
paper, and then his head fell over on the
eirl's bosom and she shrieked aloud, for he
was dead.
The cry attracted the attention OF
parties In the street, who ran toward the
house Miss Egan was released of her
burden and went sObbing away uumolested
% her home, never thinking of the paper
ntE lover n6d given ner until next day,
when she discovered what it was. Mrs
Gierdlng made an effort to recover the
document, but Miss Egsn has placed it in
the hands of lawyers who will see that she
ceives papers as administrators. A legal
EarH. b..
rights are unquestloned, due 10 her dead
lovers devotion.