Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-05-16

mother ? 1 cried, as the frightened
reins cut into my bleeding hands.
Cling to me, mother, and we will
cross tee bridge in safetyp But
suddenly there came a crash; !
saw the horses spring tree from
the traces, and then
"When 1 CROPPED my way,
bruised and bleeding, to where my
mother lay. 1 saw that she was
dead.
"HeIp came, and she whom
| loved-she that had given me
life and whom had given death
was borne home by holier hands
than mine. Home-but not my
home! There was no welcome
there Tor me, not love light. My
sister fled, screaming at my ap
proach men and women, bending
DER the dead, scOwIed at me, and
shiyered as 1 passed them. They
feared and hated me bat not more
than | hated myself. By the side
OF my dead mother | knelt and
prayed God to be mercifnl and
take my own life. But my prayer
was a mocKery, and [ telt that the
curse OF God was upon me, like
the brand on the forehead of the
, first murderer.
':My sister lost her reason and
died in an asylum. But on the
day that they laid my mothers
form to rest 1 fed from those
scenes of death and desolation to
a country where no man knew my
history. Day and night l prayed
for God to remove from my life the
dark blight that had shadowed it.
And with praying came peace
5 which pssseth understanding and
l felt that the burden was lifted,
4 and the sun shone for me once
more, the birds sung, the flowers
! bloomed, the rivers, ripping with
laughter, murmured the melodies
IL q &. nv essdfy%.-dt the iOv of life was
mine.
81 loved, and love was mine. l
stripped my lite OF Its mask and
told the woman OF my love all the
sorrows had known. And she
thand God!-did not shrink from
me, but nestled closer to my bos-
ON and kissed away all memory ,
of the past in which there was a
pang. Was perfect happiness to
be mine at last?
"The day dawned on which we
were to wed. The guests thronged
the decorated halls, and merrilY
the moments sped to meet that
happy moment when l should call
her swlfe.' We we're standing At
the open window, gazing out with
lovers eyes upon the fOwery world,
'What a day. l cried in my exul'
tation, God sends US for our mar
riage giftp Her Lead was reclined
upon my breast, my arm encircling
her. But suddenly she murmured
Il am faint Her form swayed in
nv arms; her breath came and
went IN broken gasps, her face
blanched as with the pallor of
death. The guests rushed forward
and one, a grim physician, WITH
no soul to feel for misery, who
cared not if his words should
strike me dead-laid his rude hand
upon her bosom and said
4" Tt vas her heart. She is
dead.'
"'Liarr 1 cried, as l seized him
by the throat. 'She is not dead.
Why should you lay another mur'
der upon my soul =
"The company fell back, started |
and Mortified at my strange declar
alton. But one, 6raver than the
rest, cried:
Secure the nan and hold him
fast. The wretch has poisoned
herp
81 fought like madman and
hurled them from me. | fled
through the streets of the town.
shrieking and crying to the people
} to touch me not, lest the tOnch
should bring them death. Men
fled from me and women shriekcd
. in terror as I raved.
along years have passed since
them, and still | live. Alone ami
: with no human creature near me, !
? am waiting Gods time. And /
7 know when this weary head shall
, lie IN thankful rest upon its last
r sweet pillow the mystery of my
J life shall he made PLAIN to me, and
3 the Christ who died for all will
D plead for me at the great judgment
day"
Nv tears flowed as he ceased. |
would haze clasped his hand in
!. sympathy, but be waved me of,
and in the gathering twilight !
watched his form fade into the
. shadow of the inner wood, and