The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-08-27

he was lie or death TO me. lalQ my
head on his breast, sobbing like the
poorest, sorrowfulest little child, and
moaned out: "
"Charlie, don't you love me any
longer?"
felt his quick start, and then he put
both arms around me, and kissed me,
but answered nothing.
81 know it all,"I said, lying quite
still, for knew it was the last time my
head would ever be pillowed there. 81
heard you tell her you would like to die
with her in your arms"
"Oh, child, forgive me" he cried, in q
broken voice; 81 was mad. I did not
know what was saying"
Forgive you?" I said. mechanically
oh, yes, I forgive you. 1t was mistake
all through. I was not good enough for
you. poor, little country-bred girl like
me-"
"Don'!, Katie!" lie cried, with a stiff
fened sob in his throat.
''I am not clever, not beautiful, only
loved you SO; I would have laid down
my life for you"
Katie, darling, only forgive me-" he
groaned; II will never see her again"
YES" said, slowly and painfully
forcing out the words, "you will sec her
tonight; you will tell her that you are
free, and then you will take her in your
arms and forget Katie Gray as if she
were dead and buried in tho church-yard
with her mother"
How could say those words? Why
did they come into my mind then? I
don't know, but remember saying them
so we'll.
Don't talk like that, little Katie; it is
not like you"
Goodbye. Charles" and I raised my
head. 81 shall never see you again"
"Katie, do you mean all to be at an
end between us?" he asked, stupefed.
"Yes."
You cast me OFF,"
"Forever?"
"Yes."
"Katie, you are trifing with me! Are
you trying to punish me? If you are,
tell me and will do all in my power to
atone to you for the wrong L have done.
Give me your last answer now. swear
to take it as a final; if you give me up, 1
go forever"
For moment hesi!atcd, looking up
in his face, but it was turned from me.
If had read sign of love or tenderness
there, would have thrown myself back
in his arms and said: "Only stay with
me, don't break my heart" But he kept
his face averted. Surely even then he
might have heard the tears in my voice
when I answered him that last time:
II am not trifing with you. I am not
trying to punish you. God knows your
happiness is my dearest wish, but I shall
never be anything more to you now."
"Good-by, then," lie said, coldly turn
ing away.
Oh. little mother, I cannot 60 on tell
ing you about that miserable time when
your poor childs heart broke, when she
watered her pillow with salt tears, and
dragged out the lonely hours of her sor-
row. begged papa to let me go away,
and he sent me to London to his sister
for month. Poor papa; am afraid 1
was selfish. / knew he would miss his
little Katie; but I should have gone mad
had stopped there just then. Before I
went I sent for Maggie. She came,
aud bent her dear face over me, wet
with tears.
ooh, Katie, am so grieved"
"Will you promise me something,
Maggie?"
"Anything, dear"
"Will you always let me know every
thing that happens to Charlie? If-if lie
is going to marry her-if he loves her,
if she cares for him? You need not be
afraid Of hurting me, only tell me every
thing. Oh, Maggie!" and 1 broke down
piteously; ''she won't love him rs did"
TIE BROOKS