Des Arc weekly citizen., 1868-06-30

safe shelter. Miss. Annesley was al- most merry in their humble home ; she was here, there and everywhere, help 1 ing us all with her little, busy hands and brave spirit. She laughed at her scorched, uneven hair, when lady held it before her, and with more spirit than usual, bade her cut of the rest for | bow strings for her countrymen. But the flush died away before night came. and l saw the effects of exposure and excitement already, in the slender | frame which held so strong soul. Mrs. Fallon was now almost helpless, and Miss Annesley loved her the more l for her dependence upon her.--Through the day she toiled for their support, and at night kept watch, with her hand in hers, that the slightest movement might arose her. Now that Mrs. Fal- lon was blind, there was no restraint upon these constant sacrifices. She stinted herself in food until her eyes were sunken and her thin nostrils ai- most transparent-in dress it was the | same. l saw it all one day when she asked me to prescribe for her cough.- She was neat and looked well dressed | in anything, for the strip of linen round | her throat was spotless, and she wore her faded mourning with infinite i, grace, but ] was pained to see her sh vering without a shawl, and still ,nore erieved to see her thin, white ,.co ,old her she was killing her self. and rem anstrated with her; she ,ro,,;so,, me to eat more and work less for Mrs. Fallon's s2ke. That night carried my prescription io' ereoush' and with it shawl--but l da.cu ho' carry it i'll the house--twice 1 took s'e bundle in my hand, and as often lad II back in my buggy. l carried it back to the village with me next day, and back again by Mrs. Fallon the follow
 ing night; the wind was blowing, she could not hear me, so l stole to the door like robber, and laid the shawl on a shelf under the latticed awning. ]. When we next met l could not look her in the face-I had avoided meeting her, until heard little girl say, "l am so glad Miss Ruth has warm shawl, she doesn't shiyer with cold now. when she hears my lesson then 1 went by to see how they were get ting along.
 Doctor. don't be afraid that am. angry" said she kindly, T am proud woman, and kept this shawl week to return it, but am not a cold one, for | could not pain SC good a heart; tried, but could not wound you in re- turn fqsr, kiudness-I wiliswear 1t for your sake"
 For my sake ?" The words hart me more than wounds.
 Through~inter, spring and summer. she worked on, paler and thinner every day, until the warm days brought fluctuating color to her cheeks, painful 10 see. She faded away, but the bird sang among the flowers and vines her hands had trained about the door, and within, her presence beautitied the humble walls. A feverish restlcssness possessed her, she seemed forever on the watch, earnestly gazing far away. On pleasant evenings she walked to and fro. in sight of the cabin where the blind woman sat under the lattice, talking in low, endearing diminutives. to the bird which stirred the hop vine with his slender feet. and broke the stiffness, with weird mocSery oi every passage sound. She was walk ing thus one evening, when l lifted the latch of the gate. She turned swiftly in the path. and almost ran towards me, with her hand pressed to her throat -it seemed as natural there as the linen band, and scarcely less white. Seeing me. she tottered where she stood, and the blood came and went in Ter face, like wild wave slowly rocking itseii down and down, to rest into the smooth DoSoiu tl ehS stu. i'SA h"hh fell like ice in my burning palm when we met--she did not explain her man ner, but knew it was the effect oi her failing health, and it = ah, me, she was one of those victims Of love who had grief for her portion, away!
 CHAPTER V.
 WHO GOES THERE?
 Returning home that night, l ran against Hsan and knocked his pipe out ot his mouth. l apologized. He said nothing, filled his pipe and relit it rom my cigar. The light shone on his tace--it was haggard, scared and | thin. His eyes met mine vacantly. Crime or insanity, thought, and hur ricd on, occupied with my own thoughts. Once only, paused and looked back at him. The speed oi his heavy, wavering steps increased, he staggered up the hill, paused for an in- stanh and disappeared in the direction l 1 had come. Such miserable pedeS- trisns were common after the surren- der, so fell asleep tG dream, not cl l him, but Ruth Anhesley. l saw her choked by hlghwayman with thin white hand. Both of my arms were tied down--l could not help her, nor cry for help--iny voice died in my throat. and the blood tell drop by drop, from her lips to her bosom. until her
 eyes closed, her head dropped, and she
 fell dead before my eyesl