Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1890-10-03

She's not that sort I'll throw ali nv
suspicious to the winds. lie NAV be in
love with her; but she will never encour-
age HIM. She loves me; and if asl, her
! up and down, she'll tell me all about
it," And so l went to her carly, and
asked her to go with me Oh "a pleasant
trip | knew we could take, and spend day
and evening together.
eve nccnn't get home until nine, 3"
said, "and we'll be very happy"
put my arm about her waist, and she
laid her check against ny shoulder
''rm SO sorry, John, )" she said, "but |
| can't 90"
Cant 60" cried.
"No,' she said; 'I am engaged for
all day--ycs, and all the evening, too. E"
"What! You don't mean tIat?" said |.
eyes she said, ''and it's IN engage
| mcnt cannot break"
"What are you going to do. Whom
are YOU going With" asked.
Cant tell YOU she said, laughing.
"Aftcr tomorrow you'll know.
"Aftcr Tomorrow :" repeated.
"What if say you must tell me now!"
81 should say [ wouldn't" SIC an
swcrcd
every we'll said I; "l'll 90 alone"
turned from her without kiss for
the first time since our engagement, ana
| went away and hid myself where
! could watch her Soon saw II curious
thing. Some one carried II trunk 10 the
door Of the house she boarded ut. and Y
saw her speak to the man about it. Then
| watched her window from an upper
room of the factory She was packing
the trunk. Then again | saw Mr..
Richard call a boy TO him and give him Il
note, and | saw him give it into Annic's
hand. After that she let the curtain
down, and could see no more.
Mr.. Richard kept about the place all
day, and the July evening was long and
bright. | watched him constantly. lie
was arranging papers, seemingly fixing
matters as though he were going away.
lie thought nothing OF seeing me about
at least he said nothing. At last he sat
down to his desk and wrote letter,
which he set upon rack, and then his
work being over, he seemed to get ready
to 80 away.
When he was gone went to the desk.
The letter was addressed to old Mr.. Law
renee. The edges of the envelope were
not dry. acted like mailman, |
know, when opened it; but did it,
and this was what read:
Nj DEAR UHcLE:-I hope You will not
thinh me ungratcful when you hear | hnve
gone away to marry some one of whom You
are sure to d.sapprovc. We love each other
that Is my only excuse. RICHARD.
sealed the letter again and staggered
down into the open air. 1t was quite
dark now, and the place was very empty
Most OF the people were away on visits or
excursions. There WAS only one thought
in my mind. That was to kill myself.
had "a pistol, and | found it and loatlcd
IT. My intention was to go to that spot
in the woods where had asked Rose to
be my wife and there kill myself, but rs
| passed out again, looked up. MIR.
Richard had returned to the office.
There was Il light there, IL swinging
lantern, directly over his head He had
apparently come back to make some
alterations in his letter lie opened it,
added some lines, and sealed it again.
And now he was ready to finish robbinw
me OF the JOY of my life, OF the only
thing that seemed valuable to me on
earth.
Satan took full possession oil me.
felt him enter my soul. lifted my pis-
tol and took aim ut the handsome head
on which the lamplight fell so brightly.
Not good aim though. The bullet missed
lis mark and struck the Swinging lamp.
saw great blaze spring UP in m instant !;
the trework factory was on fire. The
ncxt Instant there was horrible report.
WAS hurled II long distance away, and
came to myself bruised ami giddy, but
able to rise. All the piacc was full OF
people now. heard my name, anil
turned and SAW Rose ut my side
"Oh, thank Cod, darling." she said ;
'thand God. Oh. touch me. tina. may
know YOU are alive. oh, my love, my
! love"
she threw her arms about me. he'd
, her close.
''But he is there" she sobbcd. ''NIr
! Richard-oh he is there? and what will
poor Miss Lawrence do! They were to
he married tonight. They were to clopc
together. | was to be her bridesmaid; |
have been making her drcsS, for she did
not dare tell any ono else Oh, poor,
! poor Miss Lawrence. He must be dead -
The truth rushed on me; SAW all my
blind folly. remembered the ieud between,
the two families, and knew that Rose had
been helping Miss I.awrenccio correspond
with her lover; and | had murdered :
man who had done me no wrong God
knew who else was about the place, with
how much crime my soul was assorted
Then great hope thrilled me.
"Perhaps he isn't dead, y | said. "I'n
going in after him. I'll bring him on
alive or die with him. Good-by, dearest
If never see you again, remember
loved you. Pm wicked wretch, but
loved YOU"
put her from me while she screamed
for me to stay, and chen dashed into
the burning place.
Aftcrwarl they said it was Il miracle
Perhaps it vas. The angels may hav,