Smyrna times., 1872-01-24

he VIII certainly die if somebody don't take
an interest In him. So l hurried around, and
after little time Pedro and -
'Oh, never mind about the lunch ?" inter
ruEteu Mag again, without opening her eyes.
and with little tremoo in her voice which 7
could not understand. Proceed with the
| food" nv ''oio 'na"
You would not call Austin Benedict an ami
MAJ II you could see him once" [ replied. a
little Indignantly, and was about to add that I
dldn wish Charles mixed up with that species
either, when over went the lap-dog on to the
lounge, and Mag said, irritahly:
believe that animal thinks [ have nothing
10 DO but to make my lap into bed for his
convenience. Go on, Nell Austin Benedict !!
Austin Benedict is a good name. III bet nv
new solitaire against three cents that his
character was as stony as his cognomen. A
man called Austin Benedict would do what he
considered to be right if by so doing it killed
MN and everybody he was acquainted with |
wish you would ring for some wine, Nell. |
am as cold as death. Don't get up, though
and please go on"
Yes" resumed, ''youaIe quite right about
Mr. Benedlcts character | believe there is
something in names. But for all that the fell
low was dying for love-"
"A very interesting case, said Mag, turn
Ing deathy pale. "DO you know the circum
stances Z" and then, with the slightest percep-
tlble sneer, added, "A man must be very
strong to admit such thing about himself.'
On, L answered, lit was long time be-
fore we got at the facts in the case but one
day when | sat by him, and we all thought he
couldn last many hours, he told me the whole
story"
''Whcn you sat by him and thought he
couldn't last many hours he told you the whole
story T. repeated Mag, in a strange sort of a
way did he die ?'
No; he rallied again." answered, almost
out OF breath at Mag strange behavior ut
seems that he loved with his whole heart and
soul very beautiful and much-sought- after
young lady. She pretended to love him. Her
parents were opposed to the match she pro-
posed to defy her parents The next news he
receives comes in the form of letter from her,
telling him that she finds she does no. care for
him as she supposed, and asking to be freed
from her engagement.
! HE dtd receive such letter, did he? Aus
| tin Benedict did receive such letter?' and
| Mag arose from her recumbent position, and
stood before me, pale as a corpse, but with the
light OF forty avenging angels in her eyes. 81
never wrote the letter y she exclaimed. ut
IS forgery from beginning to end Nell
Harris, you took care of Austin Benedict in
his last hours?"
iDgs was buried in my lap
Il took care OF him when he was ILL., re
Piled
And he loved the woman he believed to be
false to the lastP"
"He loved the women"
"Oh, Nell Nell! what shall I do2 How cal
L ever live, now that | know he died with tha
cruel impression of me?" interrupted poo
Mag, giving me no opportunity to explain my
| ISolf on IL L .
cOmfOrtable-you kissed him when he wa
dying; and | loved and despised, I"
1t was about time for me to insist upol
being listened to, so said:
/ Stop a minute, Mag, darling. did do all
could for Austin Benedict's comfort, and hav
, kissed him good many times, but not whe
he was dying, Mag; for he hasn't passed ava
e yet, unless he has accomplished that feat tc
/ day, and-and-"
E ''What in the word is all this?" said Charles
who had entered softly with his latch-key.
'Where is Austin p | asked, in a whisper
: for Mag was so still didn't know but that sh
was dead.
t "Here!'' said the dear fellow. boundin
e forward. He stopped suddenly at sight of tn
figure at my feet. I'm the name of the angels
a Nell, what is this? and whom have you q
4 there
One little faint cry from Mag, and she was
/ dead weight in Austin Benedicts S, arms. Thi
: was answer enough.
e Such day as that was? Between swoon
D explanations and embraces my mind got
e running upon lunatic asyums, but the sun s,
p clear, and my reason remained unobseure,
5. There was wedding that same evening in thi
" same library, and in all the happiness ev,
witnessed-Charles' and mine thrown in
It know | never saw such perfect, unalloyed jC
"a as exists between Mr.. and Mrs. Austin Ben
IL diet Mag didn't give me time to get to Il
lnkstand, so you must imagine the history
that. -