South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1893-09-28

slave and my word is law, but"
And then whole flood of tears came.
But soop she dashed them away and
dried her eyes. Another touch of
rouge to repair the ravage, and she
WIS ready ''to go to church." rs she
phrascd it to herself. A determined,
aggressive figure, dressed in n smart,
black satin, wearing bow of pink
ribbon at the throat. It seemed as if
the incongruity of her attire struck
her at the last moment, for on the
threshold of her room she stopped.
went back, and threw lace shawl
around her shoulders. Then she made
her way to the front room, just as the
noise of Gathering boots and grating
chairs was hushed, and the minister
bowed his head in prayer.
A dozen men made room for her.
Their faces frightened as she entered,
but she did not look at one of them.
Like one walking in sleep she moved,
and never took her eyes from the thin
meager form of the man who stood in
the impromptu pulpit, pouring out his
soul In prayer.
1t was not until the petition was
ended, and the oppressed listeners had
relaxed with sigh, that she sat down
among the men, where she could sec
without being seen.
The minister then chose hymn and
lined it out.
81 heard the voice of Jesus say"
He was interrupted by Deputy Bill.
'tWe can't sing that, pard-I mean
parson. Give us something we know. I"
They compromised on ga Land
That is Fsirer Than Day." The par
son heard the sweet treble of q
woman's voice, md wondered much
whence it came. He looked troubled,
and the cough that shook him with It's
paroxysm brought out bottles and
glasses, but he put aside all offers with
a shaking hand.
t'Hearken to me, my friends" he
began solemnly, 'tand know that you
are listening to dying man."
He had not time to announce the
text, the words of life were lowering
upon his lips, when there rung through
the room a woman's frenzied cry:
ooh, Jimmy, Jimmyy'
''Who spoke, who called me?" aske ed
the parson with white lips, clinging to
the table before him.
''Oh, Jimmy, you're too late-and
you're killing yourself, and it's for me,
and I'm not worth tim not worth
It'll"
She was making her way to him now,
and as his eyes lit up his death-palo
features he prayed:
sat last" he murmured, eat last,
and now I'm willing to die Lord, I
thank Thee"
His head fell forward. A dozen stall
wart men jumped to his side, but when
he was laid on the nearest bench it was
Scared Emma" who held his dying
head on her arm, and it was into her
face he looked when he opened his
eyes for brief coming back to life.
Don't cry" he said tenderly, "don't
cry, Molly-at least not for me-but
promise me-quick, I'm going soon
promise me to quit this place-now-
forever"
"Oh, Jimmy, I can't. You've seen
them all-tell me. Jimmy, are they
well-do they ever speak of me?"
''They nre we'll, dear and safe over
there! The dear old mother and the
little sister. And promised them I'd
bring you and now I'm going without
you'll"
Don't 60, Jimmy. I'll do anything
ii you'll only live. I'll change my
ways, and do just rs you bid me, even
to turning my back on friends that
have been good to me. But oh, Jimmy,
I'm not worth dying for-it's too late
for that.
"Not to meet the dear mother and
little sister! I tell you it is not too
late. Oh, cannot die in peace if you
do not promise. You have no right
to lose your soul, child-it is not yours
to do with as you please, but is bought
with price. Take those of" look
ing with wide strange eyes at the gems
on her hands.
She obeyed him. In q moment she
he'd stripped every ring from her fin
gers and then he gathered the two poor
SCARED hands in his cold ones, and
held them to his pale ones.
Saved" he murmured, then he
smiled as II in answer to something he
saw, and moment later he fell asleep,
and the woman kneeling by his side
reverently closed his eyes, sobbing, but
not as one without hope.
Less than q year ago, and to-day the
Quot, respectable woman who is post