Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1854-02-09
From Arthur's Home Gazette.
II H w g d ID.
BY LILA NJ. LAIRD.
CHAPTER III.
CONCLUDED. |

Suddenly voice. a dear familiar
voice, fell on my ear
just stop. now. Allan will find
your Young mistress, myself and be-
,xfhre the servant could answer, quick
feet crossed ihe hall. and Robert I'revors
stood in the room. By my side mis'
came over my eyes: the grim old por'
traits aud The rich furniture seemed 10
fade away. and saw Notwithstanding
' bul Roberts tne, earnes, face, and in q
iiI,le time. even that grew dim, for great
'ears blinded me. My grief seemed 10
puzzle Robert. yet he SPOKE play fully
oh, A-Ccs, wha; I welcome, and
have not seen } on for TWO days! Nay,
It | had thought you would have been
80 very sorry. | would not have come
This ai,ernoon," and Robert smiled as
he drew his chair near mine. but still |
wer,.
-! suspect" said he, in Ii lie willie,
"has Doc'nr 3lylh has been frightening
yeu with some cad tale abou, me. Has
he not, Agnes! Lock up. darling, and
tell me- and Roteft spoke gAvely.
So told h,m ali
III ! had knnwn Of ihis before; il
even the sighses, iulimati0n had been
gwen nie, lten could have prepared
-myelt: | could have been strong; but oh.
Robert! II has come upon tne go sud
denly. with such crushi,g weight
, "Agnes. did no, want 10 gle you
needless alarm. fnr hoped. eventually,
these sy mpiums would vanish. could
40, bear ~ wiring your heart with. PER
haps, idle dread and sorrow, so ! have
been sileni--but really, 10 De candid,
90 not seem TO grow better, and | can
moi hide from myself The truth that all
that is to bs done for me. must be done
quickly"
A shud1eying came over me-. and |
clasped Roberts hand tightly in both Of
mine. bun did no,speak; | could not.
"On, Agnes, 90 no. tIemble So; bu,
have spoken too gloomily look up,
lave; look at me. aud tell me if seem TO
you like sick or dying man"
No! there was no deathly pallor on
Robert Trevors face; his eyes were
bright aud beawing, his cheek flushed.
perhaps too deeply, yesLe looked healthy
ssd joyous.
"lf il were no, for those little red spots
upon your cheeks, Robert, | should say
you were perfectly we'll"
Robert smiled as spoke, but the ne xt
instan, ,he low. hacking cough stole on
again. and he go, up hastily and wen, to
The window.
"Now. Agnes, ! do not suppose am
yet So very i'll" said he, returning To my
side. ''only my symptoms are threaten
ipg, and mother and E!sy have grown
very restless and anxious about me-
And the physicians advise winter in n
warm climate. go | must go away soon.
- for life has become doubly precious to
me-" Then Robert told me fully OF his
plans, and finished by urging me TO mar
ry him Immediately.
"Our wedding day will only come a
few months sooner. darling. than we al
first anticipated. bu, that is nothing. l
canno, go away without you, Agnes.
may never return; and il am TO die.
must have you with me. Now. DON,
shake your hsad-surely. You will no,
waver here"
Dear Robert! how handsome he look
ed as be talked thus earnestly. My FIRST
impulse was to fling my arms around his
neck. aud tell him how gladly would
60 with him 10 the very ends Of the
earth. bu, l checked myself. For. oh.
with sudden, chilling weight, fell on my
heart the memory of auns Ethel, sick.
lonely aunt Ethel! | could not 90 and
leave her. Aunt Ethers life was slow.
ly ebbing away. could not forsake her
now. l could not leave her to die with
none but servants near--so was silent.
Rober. looked searchingly in my face.
"You do no, speak, Agnes; you sure.
'y Go mol hesitate! you canno, refuse me
This requesil"
"Robert," | calmly answered. "your
claims are sweeily binding upon me. oul
there are others-aunt Ethel"
IL know wha. you are going to say,''
he broke in. impasien,ly, "you wan, ia
stay and nurse your aunt Ethel; that
cold. stern woman, who loves you not;
and you will le, me 70 away sick and
lonely. 10 die perhaps in some far of