South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1890-07-25

SHenSa Aof uots 0oc C8tniy 6otu
NO and kept on her way.
She bad means enough Tor the mod.
est life she led. and II she was ever
lonely. IL the nights dragged and the
days grew weary 10 the little cottage :,
where she lived alone with one maid.
nobody ever heard her complain.
And In the city. Stephen Foster
prospered. He married, six months
after be left Jeanette, . wealthy
bride. with no soul nor heart, q vain
frivolous girl. whose silly life must
often have called 70 bis mind, In con.
trast. the pure. true, noble woman he
had cruelty deserted.
Sut she only lived three years, and
then he bad her wealth. Jeanette
N her quiet cottage, heard Of him Of.
ten. She knew that be Was growing
great a. we'll - rich. Men spoke his
name slmoss In whispers. He went
here and there, and was feted and
praised on every hand. II he ever
thought Of Jeanette shs never knew
IT. much less had any token Of his
remembrance,
But at last came . change. His
fast life undermined oil. wealth
went first. health followed, and with
the loss Of bodily vigor, the loss, also
Of mental strength.
Nothing on earth IL 90 tickle A.
public favor, and with The decline OF
his idol. that deserted him, he was
glad TO retire to private life, With fame
and fortune both wrecked. After q
long time q longing came over him TO
revisit the scenes OF his youth. He
thought then of Jeanette.
Married long ago, no Doubt said
be, and happier than ever would
have made her, poor girlp
He went to the quiet village. Be.
ing weak from i'll health, he did not
feel able for the walk from the station
TO the hotel where he meant to stop,
but took his seat in one Of the oar.
riages waiting at the railroad to
ride down.
What was it2 Was it retribution2
Or was it the last despairing effors in
behalf of his good angel, which caus :
ed those staid horses, who never in
their lives before had dreamed OF
doing such thing. to run away and
upset the carriage, throwing Stephen
out just at Jeanette Allyn's door.
Whatever 1t was, they did it. And
when she came out, grieved to fad a
poor traveller flung lifeless at her
doorGtoDe, and ba lie them carry him
In, and lay him upon her best bed,
and hasten for physician, she had
no idea who the stranger was.
When, in bathing his pale face with
cool water, she looked at il, she knew
him. She was deeply startled, but
that was all.
HE is an old friend. Why should
l not care fur him. she said.
And 80 Stephen Foster, a SKATER
ed wreck, lay in Jeanette Allyn's
best room. tenderly nursed and wait.
ed uponfor days before he knew her,
or even knew where he wss.
1t was herself who told him.
he feebly asked one evening for a
drink of water, and when she gave it,
he recognized her.
fJeannette.' he said. Is it you
Where am p
1t is /, Stephen. You are in my
house, she answered.
But how came l here?'
THE stage was overturned at the
door, you were hurt and brought ere,'
she said quietly.
Have been a trouble to you long
he said, with q panied flush on his
pale face.
You have been here a week, but
never trouble, Stephen che answer
ed quietly.
And not ungratefui, Jesnnette.
Are-you-where is your husband?'
i never had any. / am still Jean.
ne!te Allyn. she answered, still aui-
city. My wife is dead said Stephen.
after long pause.
SO l had heard, before you came,'
said Jennnette.
Not only that said he, 'but have
lost all else, fame. wealth, health.
You have had broken up wreck csst
upon your threshold for mercy, nv
old friend
Mercy be shall not have, unless he
stops talking at once, as the doctor
has ordered, said JeannetteJ trying
TO speak gayIy.
But 1 cannot stop until You let me
thank you,' he said.
WAR until you are stronger, then.
Stephen, no matter what you are, or
what you have lost, you are the friend
OF my youth. and you shall share all
! have, until you are we'll enough to
meet the world on your account once
more. Don't say word, bat rest
now. When you are we'll we will
talk it all over.
Stephen turn ed his face away, and
lay quietly as she bid him do. But
there were warm tears trickling down
upon his pillow where she could not
zoe. This was the woman he had
bought beneath him, aud deserted
Tor senseless doll Of fashion
Well. bis retribulion had overtakep
him, and il was sufficiently bittes.
And we'll deserved. say you ?
Perhaps IL was No doubt il was. I
But the heart OF loving woman
AN forgive and forget much.
stephen was now alone aud lonely. |
Iaaunaffo h.I II - q