Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1896-03-25
OWN JEFFERSON COUNTY MARCH

but had never done a dishonorable act
that could think Of. l implored her to
answer at once; that the suffering | had
been through with my cnts and bruises
was nothing to the pain which her letter
now brought me. Again and again i'm
plored her to write and tell me all that
bad happened.
This letter gave to Eben, and he
posted it in time for the outgoing evening
mail. But | received no message in re-
ply.
The weeks after this dragged by slow
ly, painfully; but somehow grew better
each day, and, at the end of another
month, was able to walk about out of
doors a little each day. Eben still went
regularly to the Office, and brought back
many letters, but none from Jessie. Poor
old fellow, he suffered too. Every day,
when he handed me my mail, he would
stand respectfully by while / looked 1t
over, and then ask 'Marsa Edgar, is dere
any letter ter-day from ker?' and when,
day after day, answer no. the old fel-
low grew really dispondent. He bad to-
ted me on his back when I was child,
had seen me grow up TO manhood, and it
was more than he could understand, with
his great true love for me, how any girl
could treat me in this way.
cone day, in the early part Of Novem.
Der, received a letter with a Washington
postmark. | received few letters from
Washington save those which came from
my father. had walked over 10 the Of
fee myself this morning, for was nearly
well again. opened the letter with ca
ger haste, and turning, at once, TO the sig
nature, found it TO be from Col. Marston.
Much surprised turned back and read,
Dear Sir; My daughter Jessie is danger
ously i'll. She was driving with her sis
ter a few days ago, when the horse be-
came frightened and overturned the cart.
Jessie's head struck the curbing Of the
street She was brought home insensible,
and has been unconscious, save at rare
intervals, ever since. She has asked re-
peatedly to see you. The doctor advises
me to write for you. He thinks there is
little hope for my child's life, so beg
You to come at once This was the let
ter. No wonder can repeat il word for
word, it was burnt so deeply in my brain.
| burriedly packed small satchel.-
Eben drove me to the station, and that
night | reached Washington. Nine next
morning found me at Col Marston's door.
was shown into the large drawng.room
aud the Col. came in at once. He greet
ed me cordially, though with some degree
of restraint in bis manner and / could
see from the lines about his eyes and
mouth that he had suffered, and suffered
keenly. Presently servant entered with
message from Mrs. Marston TO walk
upstairs. They had been preparing Jes-
sic for my coming. She had been uncon-
scious since the night before. / followed
the Col. up the broad stairway, with my
knees trembling so that l was forced to
cling to the balusters for support. | was
not myself as yet, and the thought Of see
ing Jessie again and in this condition
completely unnamed me. We met Mrs.
Marston on the landing. She greeted me
kindly. Then together we entered the
chamber. And there lay Jessie so white
and still, that, but for the glad look in
her dark eyes, one would have thought
her dead. She held out her hand to me,
saying oh, I'm so glad you've come. !
have wanted to see you so much took
a seat in a chair close by the bed, and
held her hand in mine which was shak-
ing as though l had an ague. "YOu poor
bow she said, 4 believe you do love me,
or YOU couldn't look like that Love
YOU - I cried, but then / remembered
her father and mother and Stopped
They whispered together and left the
room. I now bent down and kissed the
pale little face again and again, and put
I back the soft wavy hair from her fore
head. as / had done that summer evening
months ago, telling her, again and again,
how dearly loved her, that she bad
been cruel 70 both Of us in breaking the
engagement, knowing that loved her a.
I did. AID loving me a. She said che did.
But. I didn't know you loved me.
thought sou didn't mean what yon told
me-. But 700 DO believe me now, don't
YOU. dearestT Yes, ! believe you now,
she said. throring one Of her weak iisiie
arms about my neck. and drauing my 'ace
down % hers. Yes. believe you nov
don't leis talk of what. pa.i. u wa all a
mistake But hos could you doubt ne!
asked. Bring ne that writing de.k. sh'
ssid poinfag % one on r table near by