The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-08-08

and comfortably provided for, he should be
willing to go. That was when ne had great
pain in his heart"
Mary arose and went ard placed her hand
upon the doctors shoulder.
"Uncle Ralph !-do you-do you-tell me
truly" g.. - .,.,, ?
tell what is possible-nay, what is inevitable,
sooner or later, if Allen continues to be so
overworked. But do not tell him what l have
told you; it might break him down at once.
He must fail and die now, in the noontide
of life, if mortal power can save him. But,
my little. girl, you must be prepared; the blow
may fall at any time. These heart troubles are
most treacherous. 1t is for you to make his
pillow smooth, and give him comfort for the
few short days that"
ooh, Uncle-Uncle, do not say so! Oh, my
soul Allan must not die! Better, thousand
times, that I should go and leave him to use his
bright and useful lifep
DR.. Graham drew his weeping niece to his
bosom, and gently whispered: "Stay with him,
Mary, and give him strength, and hope, and
courage. While give him such medicine as
have to give, be it yours to draw him away
from labor when you can, ard make the bur-
den light. Let us do this, and leave the rest
with God" ..,..-
After her uncle had gone, Mary moved about
the house, like one awakened from troubled
dream, gathering up the threads Of the past,
and weaving them into the woof of the present.
How the old love blazed up, and how dear to
her were the memories of the brighter times.
Her husband dying? Oh, it could not be-it
should not bel
And yet-and yet-what could she do if the
die were fatally cast? All she could bless
him while he lived. Yes, she could do that.
That evening, when Allan Moore returned to
his home,. his wife met him in the hall, and
put her hands up to his shoulders, and then
kissed him. 90
"You are late, Allan. Dinner has been wait
ing for you" Id
HBut you have not waited, Mary?"
eyes, Allan. could not eat alone this even
ing:v gyo, ,,u,, no+ 90
bespoke like one in a dream.
"No. wanted the light Of the other times,
Atlantic light which only your presence can
give"
And she helped him to remove his overcoat !;
and when he had pulled off his boots and put
on his slippers, which she had ready for him,
she led the way to the dining-room.
His old favorite dishes; the silver, bright
and clean; the china, drinking the gas light
into it's translucent substance; the napkins,
white like snow; and the food as she knew he
preferred it; and, above all, her own face wear
ing smile of the old sweetness, presiding over
the scene. r..t.s a
Was he dreaming, or was it real3 Almost
afraid to speak, lest a breath might dispel the
happy illusion, he drank in the Joy of the oc-
casion. When the meal was concluded, Allan
rose from the table.
"Now, now, Allan. Where are you going ?"
"To my own room, Mary. 1 have papers to
COPY" ~. =, -, j. 49,. ,o,,.;n, .,
"These are papers which dare not trust to
other eyes," -,-.-
"But you will trust me, Allan ?"
"Trust-you" He was in the dream again.
eyes. If you will explain to me the work,
and leave them with me tomorrow, will copy
them for you. You know write we'll"
"Oh, Allan my husband !-my own true
love w-she had now moved up and laid her
hand upon his shoulder-"you are working too
hard. If you will let me help you, I will help
you now; and, by-and-by, you shall rest. We
will 60 away among the green fields, and the
brooks, and the hills"
"Maryl My darling What music is this ?"
He took her to his bosom, with his arms twined
closely around her.
"Allan, have been unmindful of your good,
and have been very miserable; but will be
SO no more, if you will let me help you; if you
will give me back your love and your trust; if
you will lean upon me when you are weak, and
restupon my bosom when you are in pain; if
you will forgive me for all the wrong and the
error, will bless heaven, and take courage,
and we will be happy always while we live"
Oh, blessed, happy hour; blessings and hap
piness reaching out into all the coming years !
The heart had been unlocked, and its food of
true love, gushing out into current, broad
and strong, had washed away the stains of evil,
and purified the temper; and, upon the sacred
altar Of their home, the yestal fires burned
brightly - - :
< year had passed when Mary said, as she
stood and looked up into her husbands face:
"Allan, how strong and we'll you have grown !!
You don't know how proud and happy 1t makes
me-"
He caught her to his bosom, and held her
there.
'.My blessed wife! how could help being
strong and we'll beneath the influence of love
like yours. 1 owe you much, darling-very
much. / cannot tell you how happy am |"
And Mary knew that. the fountain of good
ness in her heart could never be closed up
again while sense and memory were hers.