Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-11-12

He Had not lain thus very long, when q
soft, rustliug noise was audible Just otit
side the door. He had scolded Hattie for
being superstitious, . little while ago; he
was growing 90 himself nowi Nearer
and near came the mysterious noise, the
door was softly opened, add Hattie stood
in Y. The cap had slid down from her
heed, and her hair was hanging loose over
her white robe that had taken the place Of
the brown jacket. Close behind her was
Peter, rubbing his head against her bare
feet. ..st.ls4 .s,a.
You are not asleep yeti Do not be
angry with me, for disturbing you-but it
seemed 80 dreadful, all at once, to die up
there, quite alone, and I thought that per-
haps it might be cold in the grave, tools
it SO? All my blood seems turned 10 iee.
May sitin the corner on the lounge, one
moment, and wrap that shawl around me,
to get warmi o Stephen must really
die so soon2" t...- ...r. r...-
He had raised himself, and had taken
her hand in his, to warm it.
Hattie" he said, tenderly, "you will
live long and happily" rrt}'a
"No"-she shook her head wearily-
that can never be-" ...-.'..
Shivering, she drew her feet up on the
sofa, and covered them with the shawl,
leaning back till her shoulder touched his
breast. He laid his arm around her.
"Try and get warm do you suffer
pain p
"Only here"-she put her hand on her
heart; and then, suddenly, large drops
gathered in her eyes, rs if the touch Of his
hand had broken the ice.ring that had
penued up the tears in her heart these
many days, and her sobs came convulsive-
ly, shaking her woru-out frame.
Hattie, my own precious darling," he
whispered. The sobs ceased.
1t is too late, Stephen-too late. Still;
it is sweet to hear you speak so-it stills
the dreadful pain at my heart. Do you
know why I could not die, up there in my
roomi It would not let me rest; wanted
to kiss you, only once, before I could die.
I thought l should end you asleep ! had
meant to take Just one Kiss, and then 60
back to die"
He raised her heAd, and laid his lips On
her soft, half.opened mouth while she
breathed hard, like one almost famished,
drawing in fresh life.
Thanks" she said, almost inaudibly ;
and she dropped her. arms from his neck,
and glided down on lhe lounge, her head
falling back, her arm hanging over the
cushion, till the little hand almost touched
the floor. Then be arose softly, and step.
ped carefully over her, down from the
lounge, moving her body till she vas in .
comfortable position. Silently he watched
her slumbers, lightly passing his hand
over her soft hair at times, to make sure
that this was all no idle vision, no mock
ing dream. Of the fact that the girl,
sleeping here so placidly, belonging to him
now, there was no doubt in his mind: the
only wonder seemed to be that he had not
claimed the treasure long, long since. It
cost him . severe effort not to wake her
out of her sleep, to hear once more the
confession that had opened the windows Of
his heart, and let in the warm light Of his
first love-. I.-..-
How could that other man have dared
to hope? Preposterous Stephen said, as
he touched the heavy braids that fell over
the lounge on to the floor once more, before
his own eyelids dropped, and he too slept
The early sunshine did not break his SLEEP; /;
but he heard the tramp Of horses and the
rattle of wheels at the door; and before he
had time to look out at the window, loud
knocks from the front door rang through
the house. With deep concern he watched
Hattie's face to see If she had been dis
turbed, before Fastening to the door. It
was the hall. brother Of Hattie's aunt, who
had been informed, through Sophy's hus-
band, that his sister was dead, and his
niece still in the plague-strickeu city.
He had brought his wagon, and his in
teution was to take Hattie to the country
with him. That Hattie should be removed,
and at once, Stephen gladly consented to /;
but he suggested that Sophy's would be
the place to take her. to, - it vas farther
into the mountains, and Hattie felt like
sister toward her. It was not hard to
persuade the uncle, who, was still stupe6ed
with grief for his sisters and little Fred
dies death, and the look he had taken at
Hattie's face, supernaturally white and
still, in lethargie sleep. Without hest.
fancy, Stephen went up stairs inte Hattie's
room, carried down all the bedding he could
find, and spread 1t in the bottom Of the wagon.
Next, he proceeded to gather up such articles
of clothing as came under his hands and in
the course Of bis researches he came to . little
press, containing hundred worthless. tribes,
such ~ schoolgirls, playing with their dolls;
might treasure mp. There was . string Of
glass beds, An old almanac, knife with bro
ken blade, and book from which he had read
70 Hattie, years ago. Halt . dozen letters,
written to her when he first went to college
dropped out Of the book the almanac con-
tained his name, in his own hand writing, and
the string Of glass beds had been bought at
Fair, and given by him 70 Hattie, years ago:
When be began to pack the wagon be found
willing hands to assist him, on all sides ;
young and old had soms good word 70 say q
| Hattie and the untiring devotion with which
she had uursed relatives, friends, and neigh
bors. In the room, Hattie was still fast asleep ;
nor did she waken whom Stephen, her uncle,
and neighbor carried her down the stairs and
n>:A H.. ~e..n, - ~