Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1868-10-01

never forgive myself ii | did," she said,
at is only you am worrying about"
II aim glad to be able 10 help YOU" he
said, Aud think he spoke the truth,
Inside the cottage, poor Grace Pooley lay
on her bed, trying 10 breathe ON a little
longer, II 30 the good God might bring
some good friend, before she died, 10 care
for her orphan boy.
"The Lord bless We for coming know
he willr she said. Edith threw off her
covering and went towards her,
This is only one Of the boaaders, who
came with mo" she said in reply to the
questioning look Of the sick woman, al
should have come TO day, had | known
you were worse"
She sat down beside the bed, aud Arson
Grey watched her as she spoke in a low,
tender voice 10 dying woman.
Among tho words which he could dis
tinguish was promise 10 see Jennie
and when the old woman, who seemed TO
be nurse, came up To administer some
thing, and in half whisper asked Edith
to pray with them, he began TO think he
was in another world,
And il was another world to him.
Surely she would never dare 10 do that,
But she did. kneoling upon the bare
floor, snd clasping her white hands, she
sent up such prayer for help and
strength as Arson Grey had never
dreamed Of hearing before. In spite Of
his attempts, the tears would come and
blind and blur his eyes, and he at last had
to wipe them off by stealth.
After that night, Arson Grey knew
where his heart was, but for his life he
dared not approach Edith. She seemed
an immeasurable distance from such as he;
but he cherished the memory of her
prayed as one glimpse into heaven, for
which he could thank God all his life,
Two or three times afterwards chance
threw them together, and once he walked
with her 10 the beach and past the very
cottage where they had gone through the
storm, a long while ago-or so it seemed
TO him now-but neither Of them referred
in any way to that night; he, because he
dared not, and she, because he had likely
quite forgotten it rs in any way connect
ed with him.
Edith's mother was a gay woman, and
such she meant her daughter 10 be,
though for her life she could not help
ferreting out, and helping also, an innu-
merable number Of forlorn, poyerty-strick-
en- people, who had no earthly claim upon
her, as they went their fashionable rounds,
II was notifying, exasperating, but she
was powerless TO prevent it. They were
again 10 be off soon, Arson Grey heard;
but he would have missed seeing Edith,
had he not accidentally met her as she
was hurrying up the beach toward their
boarding house, on the very day they left.
He could not let her 90 without telling
her what was in his heart
"May I speak TO you moment
Certainly"
As the words left her lips, she saw
what his speaking was going to be.
"0h, not that, Mr.. Grey"
Somehow he took courage from the
quick paling of her lips.
"Yes, that love you, and want You
for my wife"
II am to be married Christmas -
He turned, and was leaving her, when
something made her speak,
"Mr. Grey"
He faced her again, and she saw how
white and stern he looked.
Had | been free You would not have
asked in vain
For days and weeks afterwards. Arson
Grey Rugged the memory of her looks, as
she said those blessed words, TO his heart.
caring more for that than for the love and
caresses az any other
Christmas came, but death came with
it, and Edith's lover went his long jour
ney, leaving his aflianced bride and her
scheming mamma to console thcmsrlvc'
as best they might.
In a way mysterious to all except VIII
liam skinner, Edith heard Of Arson
Grey's illness. and, as we have seen. went
to him and had courage to become his
wife.
James Pooley was cared for, and fol
years paid an annual visit to his bcncfac
tress, who had so faithfully fulfilled th,
trust committed her.
The people OF Burlingamc learned "a
! love the gentle mistress OF the solid ston,
mansion on the hill, and never a sutteru-
one called in vain, as long a. my lady,
as they called her, was there. And An
son Grey is changed from gloomy, mo
rose man to a genial, pleasant one, suci
as it does one good to see.