Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1897-05-08

had often been urged to consult him
on the subject which was feeding like
a cancer on her heart. At least. she
had little faith in his power, but she
visited his dwelling and explained
the object Of her visit to its gifted oc-
cupaut. He heard her through, and
with deep sigh and mysterious
look, drew ring on the table ard
repeated some words, the magic Of
which was only known to himself
He informed her that it would re-
quire the utmost extent Of his skill
to answer her question He required
liberal lee, and requested her to call
on the morrow. The woman went
home, but not to sleep or rest easy,
though not naturally superstitious;
the mysteries which the juggler had
practiced in her presence. operated
powerfully on mind worn down by
sickness and woe, and she virtually
believed she had seen the man who
was possessed Of the secret, the rev
citation Of which was to make her
happy or miserable. She arose early
in the morning and proceeded to his
residence. lie met her with smile,
and informed her that in two years
she would see her husband This
good news was enough; the fountain
of life which was we'll nigh dried up
flowed once more. She returned
home, counted the months, weeks
and days, which were to elapse before
her husband was to return.
Time passed on: it wanted but one
week of the allotted day when her hus-
band was to arrive. 1t was evening
beautiful summer evening in May
the loveliest month of the year. The
birds in the tops of the trees adjacent,
whose foliage was beautiful beyond
description, were carroling their songs
of praise to their Creator, while the
flowers were vieing with each other,
and the green verdure covering
mother earth was looking its best.
She had put by her work, and was
musing on the time that had passed,
and the happy years she had spent
under her parents roof and with her
husband, whom she was then expect
ing and of whose arrival she felt as
sure as she did of her own existence.
Oh, how her heart throbbed with
pleasure and how happy would be
that meeting, for she loved her hus-
band as only a true wife can love.
MA, exclaimed her youngest child,
a bright-eyed boy of six summers,
won't pa bring me little sword and
drum like George So" 1t seemed now
to her reality She folded the
child in her arms and burst into tears.
Was it soo Had she been for two
years dreaming the pleasantest OF
dreams, and was her husband actually
to appear at the appointed time? A
single thought that he would not,
almost broke her heart. At last the
day arrived; she was almost wasted
away; scarce strength enough was
| left her to move from place to place.
| Anticipation had kindled flame IN
her soul but its burning was almost
extinguished. But few feeble,
Pickering sparks remained, and they
were capable of warming her into
being, or going out, as that day
should determine So confident was
she that he would arrive, she had
arranged the table for him, and
all the articles in her little room.
! She seated herself in her accustomed
place by the door, and remained all
day III an almost death-like stupor.
"Pa don't come yet, said her little
son, "why does he stay so long, ma.
His little sister, two years oder,
! threw her arms around her mother S
neck and was endeavoring to comfort
her. At last the village clock told
the hour of twelve. "Pa haint come
yet, ma, said the little boy. 1t was
too much for her wounded and dis
eased spirit. The last slender chord
that bound her frail tenement to earth
and happiness, was severed, or rather
broken, by an overwhelming. effort to
prolong it.
She never saw the light of another
morning. She was buried in the
graveyard over yonder; there you can
see her grave, where the wind whis-
ties requiems over one whose young
life was blotted out of existence.