The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1869-01-14
CFrom Every Saturday.
THE ABBOT'S POOL.
IN SIX NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. I


III o une page efrayante dams le liVre dss
destinees humaines. On y liz en- tete ees mots;
les deslrs aceomplls. ''-HadGms dc BOaEeuaI.
So the hours came and the hours
went, and brought the eve of Philip
and Elsie's wedding-day. 1t was to
be quiet wedding, as all felt that any
reioicings would be out of place after
so brief and sad a widowhood Mrs.
Clavering herself, though thankful and
content at heart, would have shrunk
from anything like bridal display.
The few weeks which intervened be-
tween the announcement of his engage
ment and his marriage had been spent
by Philip Denbigh in busy preparations
for welcoming home his bride. All
was completed now; the house was
frightened up to receive its new mis-
tress; the two maids who were to
assist old Isott were engaged to come
at the end Of the weeks holiday, which
was all that so busy man could spare
for his honeymoonj nothing remained
for him to do but to pay last visit to
all his patients, and to complete the
final arrangement with Mr.. Scott, the
Slowcombe surgeon, who was to at
tend them during his short absence. 1t
was we'll, perhaps, that all these things
kept him so hard at work from the late
winters dawn until the early twilight,
that he had scarcely time to think; for
lie was haunted on this last day of his
unmarried life by the feeling he had
described to Elsie: an unreasonable
doubt and dread lest the happiness so
close before him never could be his.
He had told Elsie that he would be
tso busy to see her that day; but
spIashing home late in the evening
from a visit to a patient, and seeing a
light still in her drawing-room, the
temptation was strong upon him to 60
in and wish her good night, especially
as be felt a jealous fear lest, on this last
evening Of her widowhood, the old
love and the old memory might be
rising up to trouble her peace. The
maid admitted him, and, hastily pass
ing her, be opened the door of the
little parlor Mrs. Clavering was sit !.
ting in her usual low chair by the
nearly dying fire, but crouching for
ward, her face buried In her hands,
evidently weeping, though silently.
Philips heart grew cold, and his face
white and set, at this sight; he had
nearly turned to go without betraying
his presence, but at the moment Elsie
looked up, saw him, and, with a little
cry of relief, hurried across the room
to him resting against him as he took
her in his arms, like little frightened
child that had found its protector.
20, lam SO glad you are comet" she
whispered, with fresh burst Of tears.
"WbyT 90.
The Innocent wondering eyes met
his for moment, then dropped as she
held out her left hand, and showed the
third finger slightly swelled and red
dened round the weddiDg-ring,
"This is it," she whispered. "You
know you made me promise to take II
off before tomorrow, and ! tried. But
look; my finger has swollen round il
quite suddenly, and do what / will
cannot moVeit. lam very silly Philip,
but / could net help crying. Is it not
bad omen y
can omen very quickly put 90 end
to !" said Mr.. Denbigh, producing from
bis pocket case of uncomfortable
looking Instruments. 81 will nip it Of
for You in q moment"
But Elsie held back her hand.
'No, Philip" she said, pleadingly,
s'please let me keep it on till O-morrow.
Fit does not come of easily before we
90 to church, you shall take il of for
me than; but / can't quite say good
by to the old life till l begin the new one. "
There was q pausel then Philip took
her hands almost roughly, and held her
from him while be looked searchingly
in her face. It blushed under his gaze,
though again the eyes were raised fear
lessly and wondering.
'sElsie,R be said, in hoaFBe voice,
IF your heart 10 gene down into the