Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-01-24

cruel fats can be to thuse who defy it. YOU
know how great the dread is III that terrible
scourge How quickly the pageant of death
is played out to its final issue. Before | had
even realized my loss, before my stricken
heart had recovered from its first stroke of
agony, heard that my darling had been
taken from -buried-buried-Est in
that very churchyard my dream had shown
to me. Then a great stupor and horror fell
over me- was like one dazed and stunned.
[ felt nothing-realized nothing but my own
great loss. l prayed only that death might
seize me and bring me to his side in spirit,
since it had SO cruelty divorced us. 1t was
my first grief No doubt l was impious-
mad They said l was-the priest, whose
empty words and hollow services brought no
peace to my wrecked soul; the soft voiced sis
terhood, who came as nurses and friends to
my side in those dark hours Madl Well,
if SO, had to suffer yet more terribly for
my rebellion. My story is not yet ended,
Estelle Itmay have been many days or few,
do not know.
II had no count of time, when once again
the force and reality of a dream held my
senses in thrall Isaw my darling imprisoned,
as it were, by some obstacle, calling me, en-
treating me, beseeching for some aid that
COulu give, oilu ee1A GU A1OUs
and sick. awoke.
'Then-oh how can l speak of ita How
describe that hateful, unresisting certainty
which gradually took possession of me, which
night and day had tried me with persistence
that would not be gainsaid? Weak woman
as was-stranger in strange place. yet,
by power Of woman's wit and woman's per-
sistence, gained my end had the grave in
the dismal churchyard opened. | stood,
woman, alone and helpless, amid a shudder
ing, superstitious crowd while the cruel earth
gave back its dead. Its dead, said |. All,
dear heavenl it was no dead they had i'm
prisoned there; no dead whose helplessness
the ghastly tomb had Knocked. They had
buried him alive. Estelle-alivel He had
turned in that fearful coffin: his eyes were
gazing at me wide open, reproachful, despair
ing''-
The girl shuddered A low cry broke from
her pale lips.
"Don't tell me any more,n she whispered
"Oh, it is horribe-horrible!n
II have had to live out my life remember
ing it, came the despairing answer, ''lived to
think he had called, prayed, entreated for me
in that awful place. who loved him oand
only knew-too late-I might have saved
him!"
Softly, hurriedly, the closing harmonies
of the tragic music closed in that tragic
tale.
Voices and laughter rang out once more
from scattered groups. One or two ap-
preached the figures by the fire. A man,
young, tall, of courtly bearing and hand
some face. bent down to the kneeling girl.
"Have you persuaded madame, Estelle?"
he asked gently.
She rose. There was shadow on the
brightness and beauty of her face.
NO." she said, cher reasons are too good.
Do not trouble her, Paolo. l am content"
The woman looked up at the two young.
happy faces.
''Some day." she said sadly, "some day,
prince, you will know my presence is thing
of i'll omen. l can be no ones wedding guest
since l have learned-the worth of q present
iment. ST. Paul Globe.