Clayton herald. (Clayton, Del.) 1867-1870, 1869-06-12

NO. 4.
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scrutnizing my face in his rough, kind
way.
generally had welcome for the hon.
est old man, for il was he who brought
the papers with Franks name and tri-
umphs in them.
But that day believe 1 gave him no
word or smile.
When he went away, I heard him
mutter something about dying alone,"
and noticed how softly closed the ratt-
ling gate. remember too, how the let
ter dropped from my hand upon tho
floor, and that l never even wondered
who could havd writtcn to me.
All, why did not the kind breezes
whisper 10 me Of life as they had of
death. Did they not know as they heed
lessly tossed about that envelope, that it
| contained the power to draw me back
from the very shore of Che dark river?
But they let me wander almost beyond
the reach of human help.
Long afterwards, 1 learned that the
merciful old postman had sent his doc
tor and his daughter 10 care for the poor
woman who was "dying alone"
They found me exhausted and insen-
sible, from which state passed into one
of fovor and delirium.
My faithful nurse has since told mo
that in the garrulousness of fever 1 gave
them the clue to my possible recovery.
1t almost broke her heart she said, to
hear me say continually, Poor Frank
will be so sorry"
The memory OF those sick days, if
may call that memory which must
have been Il dream, is very dear TO me.
1 seemed to be gently, silently drifting
away into the other life, but ever look
ing back to the bleak shore had left
where some one seemed to stand with
outstretched arms implorng return.
And after many days, when L had
floatod so far out that the figure on tile
shore was dim and formless. my little
bark was caught by the flowing tide
and carried slowly in aga II. quite re-
Lltblbti listt u SbIOlls5 oSlLS4
and boro me to the shore.
The sweet dream frightened in broad
reality. | woke to find my hands in
the very grasp from which L had with
drawn them that rainy night, long, long
ago, and Franks blue eyes were bent
upon mo lovingly, aud dasea laqlS int4
them again.
Poor Frank! Had 1 drawn ell those
lines across his brow, and deepened into
sadness the thoughtful curve OF the lip2
think if anything could have added
a pang to the remorse of by-Sone days it
would have been the apprehension Of
that.
l looked at my thin shrunkcn hands,
and thought they deserved to wither, as
they had done for such wicked deed.
Franks eyes followed mine; but think
the pityiug tears in them yelled my sin,
for he leaned down and kissed them ve4
ry tenderly.
We had no explanations, no accusa-
tions, no regrets. My pardon was writ
ten in Franks face, which said as plain
ly as did once the Redeemer's voice,
" She loved much.'
And now Frank sits beside me, and I
am called by his name.
No flowers or festivities grared our
wedding day no bridal attire Knocked
my faded face. But iii darkened room
with doctor aud nurse for witnesses, he
took me for his wife.
"Till death do us part" Frank said
but the words died on my
lips; for iear--I fear-nature is SO vim
iictive that she viii be rovenged ON
those who have wrongel or neglected
her, and have dono both.
Frank hopes to propitiato her with
love and care; and she may accept the
offering for his sake, not mine.
But if the message that came to mes
hat evening on the porch be true, per-
laps | shall be brave enough by aud by
20 tell it to Frank. Aud l can tell him
90, that If his lovo would not bind me
% earth, it has mado me less unfit for
Heaven.