Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1892-08-26

about it, but we thought he ought to
J know, and it was decided that | should
! tell him. George was feeling moody the
day chose to disclose our secret, and at
the news flew into fearful rage, tainted
me with the i'll name of my parents and
said that no such blot should ever be cast
| on his family. He said that I had be-
trayed the friendship he had given me
/ from pity and because he believed l 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 many bitter words. He swore
| that he would fix it SO that should never
mary Elsie, ard said, If you do l will
| kill you.' I was in a threatening attitude
when I spoke these words and frenzied
! with rage. They were heard by some
! passers by, and among them by Joe Will
! kinson, a man who bore me an old family
| grudge.
II went to bed early that evening, but
was unable to sleep and about midnight
arose and left the house. My head throbbed
violently as l picked my way along the
stony road leading to the river, where there
| is deep gorge and waterfall. found
resting place on the edge of the precipice
and tried to descry the bottom through the
| dim light. The clouds were scudding
| across the sky driven by raw, damp
wind, which swept through the gorge and
kept the trees above moaning, as if be-
wailing with me the loss Of friends re-
manned in the place until daylight broke
and the sun dissipated the chilly gray of
the east; then / started back toward my
uncle's house.
II turned through neighbours field, the
same that had heard my threat, but before
reached the road on the other side saw
age voice called for me to halt. stopped
and turned back in surprise. 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
heavy blow with blunt instrument.
forgot my resentment in moment and
was overcome with grief. l stopped to lift
the body into an easier position. but was
knocked completely off my feet by a club
which the man had in his hand. You
young murderer he cried; your sniveling
will not help you out of this. You will
hang as high as Hannah or my name is not
Joe Wilkinson. We heard your threat
yesterday and l have caught you today
You will go step higher than your dad,
reckon
81 was thunderstruck, but suddenly the
hopelessness of my condition dawned upon
me. Wilkinson's fierce taunt reused me
to action. leaped upon him, struck him
to the ground and turned back among the
rocks I found hiding place, and the
next night got away from the country. !
wandered about like beast for few
weeks until at last, growing holder, !
came here and obtained work. 1t proved
some relaxation to the misery l suffered,
but I am innocent. Do you believe me,
doctor?"
told him that l did and would make
efforts to learn all the subsequent circum-
stances and advise him accordingly In
the meantime he should be patient and try
to get well faster.
few days after this occurrence car
riage containing a lady and gentleman
stopped at the old farmhouse and the gen
tleman requested the privilege of resting
his horses and obtaining dinner The
to the house. The young lady was beau
tiful, but there was tinge of sadness in
her manner. She spoke softly to her
brother and called him George. thought
nothing Of this, but a few moments later,
when he addressed her as Elsie, l was SO
startled that l leaped to my feet. 'Pray,
what is your name?" exclaimed excitedly
The gentleman appeared surprised, but
answered quietly, "My name is George
IvesOn and this is my sister Elsie"
Have you scar on your head?" ex-
claimed. hardly knowing what I was say
ing was SO excited.
EYES," said Mr.. Iveson, looking at me in
wonderment, sbut my hair covers it up
and l wonder at your noticing it. I FELL"
he went on, ''and was nearly killed few
months ago, but it healed rapidly, and
am perfectly well now. A neighbor ac-
cused an old friend of mine of doing the
deed, for he had overheard us in quarrel. \
My friend disappeared and has meyer been
heard of since, although I have done my
utmost to find him."
Elsie was crying. arose and going over
to her said, providence sends us strange
experiences; some bring sorrow and some
happiness: was your friends name Dave?"
George sprang to his feet. Scan you tell |
us where he is?" he cried.
/ explained everything, and shortly af- |
terward, when opened the door to Dawes |
room, 1 felt that life was very dear gift |
when used in behalf of others.
"Dave," l said, ''what would you con-
slider the best news could bring your"
That the past five months of my life |
has been only q DREAM" said Dave, sadly.
Wouldn't it suit you as well to know
that George recovered from his hurt?" |
said l.
He looked up and answered slowly, ''That |
is impossible, for he was dead"
cit is possible" said l. "and really be- |
ieve that he may have recovered"
Gradually I told him all, and there came |
over his tired face a look of tranquil hap
piness.
A few years later, when a square envel- |
ope appeared in my mail one morning, |
was so interested that l forsook my pa
TENTS and went to the wedding. George |
was the best satisfied brother-in-law in the |
world, and Joe Wilkinson swore that Dave |
was the brightest young lawyer in that Sec
ton of the country, and if he didn't deserve
success no one did-Chicago News