Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-07-16

Irlenus auu tudL lie must Keep quiet duu
talk and think as little as possible until
be grew stronger. He promised to obey
and lay back on his pillow. looked in
a few minutes later and found him sleep
ing calmly with a smile on his face.
He began to convalesce after this, bur
the old look returned and checked some
what the progress of returning health.
One afternoon | said "Dave, | want to
be your friend. You are in trouble. /
knew that something was making you
unhappy before you became ill, but du-
ring your illness | heard you refer to the
cause. D. not be afraid, but tell me all
and [ may be able TO help ycu." He
opened his honest blue eyes with a look
so sad that l pitied him as | had never
done before.
"Dr. Leonard" said he, "did you
learn that | am suspected of numbering
an old friend, aud if l should be dis
covered here there is circumstanstial ev-
idence enough to convict me, although
really committed no crime2 | had an
intimate friend by the name of Iveson
and his sister had promised to be my
wife. My parents were dead and lived
with my uncle not far from the Iveson
mansion. Every thing went on well
with George Iveson and me until after
my engagement with Elsie.
81 was poor. The Ivesons were
wealthy. My father had betrayed a
trust and the blow killed my mother.
Father died while serving his time and |
was left tc the care OF an uncle whose
reputation was bad. My life had been
very unhappy until | met George Iveson
He did no. treat me like the rest, but
invited me to his home, and there | met
Elsie. She was a beautiful girl, aud her
sympathy for my loneliness grew to love,
and we were very happy.
at was some time before George learned
about it, but we thought he ought to
know. George was feeling moody the
day / choose to disclose our secret, and
at the news flew into a powerful rage,
tainted me with the ill name of my par
ents and said that no such blot should
ever be cast on his family. He said
that l had betrayed the friendship he
had given me from pity and because he
believed | was trying to do right, but he
was mistaken and we were friends no
longer.
"At first | tried to be reasonable, but
when he spoke of my parents | lost all
restraint and we exchanged may bitter
words. He swore that he would fix it
SO that l should never marry Elsie, aud |
said: IF you do | will kill YOU l
was ia a threatening attitude when l
spoke these words and frenzied with
rage. They were overheard by sons
passersby. and among them by Joe
| Wilkinson, a man who bore me al old
family grudge.
81 went to bed early that evening, but
was unable to sleep, aud at midnight I
arose and left the house. My head
throbbed violently as l picket my way
along the stony road leading to the river,
where there is a deep gorge and a water
lall. l found a resting place on the edge
Of the precipice AMI tried to de:cry the
bottom through the dim light. The
clouds were scudding across the sky,
driven by a raw damp wind which swept
through the gorge and kept the trees
above moaning IS if bewailiny with me
the loss of my friends. | remained in
the place until daylight broke and the
sun dissipated the chilly gray of the east;
then l started back toward my uncle's
house.
~ turned through a neighbours field,
the same that had heard my threat, but
be. ore | lad reached the road on tae
other side a savage voice called for me
to halt. | stopped aud turned back in
surprised. What was my horror when [
reached the spot where the man was to
see George Iveson lying on the stony
ground dead. There was an ugly wound
on his head, as if struck by a heavy
blow with a blunt instrument. | forgot
my resentment in a moment and was
overcome with grief. l stopped to lift
the body in m easier position, but wss
knocked completely off my feet by a club
which the man had in his hand. tYou
young murderer he cried, your SWIVEL
ing will not helr you out of this. You
will hang as high as Haman or my name
is not Joe Wilkinson. We heard your
threat yesterday, and have caught you
to-day. You will go a step higher thaa
your dad, | reckon
81 wa thunderstruc'l, but suddenly
the hopeless1ess of my condition dawned
upon me. Wilkinsoa's ierca tauut
reused me to action. l letpei upon him,
struck him TO the ground and turned
back among the rocks. l found a hiding
place aud the next night got away from
the country. | wandered about like a
beast for a few weeks, until at last,
growing holder, | cams here aud obtained
work. 1t proved some relaxation to the
misery l suffered, but | am innocent. Do
you believe me, Dlctor7'
l told him that | did aud would
make efforts to lelrh all the subsequent
circumstances and advise him according
ly. la the meantime he should be pa
tent and try to get well faster.
A few days after this occurrence a
carriage containing a gentleman and
lady stopped at the old farm house, and
the gentleman requested the privilege Of
resting his horses and obtaining dinner.
The farmer took the horses and [ led the
way to the house. The young lady was
beautiful. but there vas a tlnge OF sad
ness in her manner. She spoke softly to
her brother aud called HIM George. |
thought nothing Of this, bat a few no.
ments later, when he addressed her as
Elsie, | was SO startled that | leaped to
my feet.
"Pray, what is your name" I ex-
claimed excitedly.
The gentleman appeared surprised, but
answered quietly: "My name is George
%Iveson, and this lady is my sister, Elsie"
"Have you a scar on your head2" l ex-
claimed, hardly knowing what l was
saying, [ was so excited.
eyes said Mr.. %Iveson, looking at me
in wonderment, ''but my hair covers 1t
up and l wonder at your noticing it. ]
fell" he went on, ''sud was nearly
killed a few months ago, but it healed
rapidly and | AN perfectly well now. A
neighbor accused an old friend of doing
the deed, for he had overheard us in a
quarrel. My friend disappeared aud has
never been heard of since, although ]
have done my utmost to find him."
Elsie vas crying. arose and going
over to her said: Providence sends US
strange experiences; some bring sorrow