The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1872-05-30

say, trying to speak gayly; "she is
always requesting me to feel how her
heart is beating; if you both set up
nerves, l shall decamp."
"You think | may make nv mind
quite easy" she says, in . lighter tone
taking my hand 10 her two hct slender
ones.
"Of course-of course"
"That they were talking of some one
eIse-or that, if it were me, they were
utterly and uuaccountabIy mistaken 2"
"To be sure Ito be sure !"
"But aorid people often seem to
think that thooc who are not SO red and
bulky as themselves must be 80 1rt;-
culo nort.s."
$50 they do"
"Jcmim'! J" (stiIl strongly clasplng
my hand in both hers), "if you believe
it so firmly, you will not mind swear ina
It,"
"What is the use of oaths and assev.
erafions " ask, uncomfc:tably.-
"Will not simple assertion do as
we'll"
''You soou't swearv' she cries, in a
tone Of profound alarm. "Why not ?
Jemima, l do not like your face ? Your
eyes will not meet miue-yoor lips are
qo'Ver'ng-you arc halt crying. I
know that l am very sick-that have
not much peace, day or nigbt-but you
do not think that it means any thing
bad that I am-O my God can
not say tho word "
Her sentence breaks of, smothered
in shudderiug sob.
''l think nothing Of the kind" 1 say
hastily, thoroughly frightened at her
agitation. "Why '0i1 you g.llop away
With an idea 10 Charlie do come
here; she is 80 impracticable-.o uu-
reasonable--she is talking such non.
sense" =
The door has opened, aud Mr..
sorope is looking doubtfally in. At
my words he enters hastily.
For the FIRST time in her life she
runs to him Of her own accord, and
throws herself into his arms. 10 Char
lie "she cries, wildly, "you are the only
person in the world that is kind to me.
They have been 80 cruel to me-so
cruel. They have been saying such
:hings Of me-you would not believe it.
That man-that Wr. Lascelles [
am not long tor this world, and Jemi-
ma quite agrees with him"
"Jemima is tool r says Mr.. Scrcpe
unjustly, looking with a momentary ex-
preston Of raging hatred at me over
her prone head.
"Not long for this world !" she re-
peats, With sort Of moan, lifting her
tac', and staring pitifully into bis.
Those were his very words !; I have
not altered one."
"Lout! IDIOT" cries Sorope, aogri-
ly; ''he had not an idea what he was
saying Tho never has. Ny dsrling''
(closely straioipg her to his heart, a. il
neither God, nor his feet angel, Death,
should avail to tear her theuce,) please
God, you are longer for this world than
he is-than 1-or Jemima-or any Of
u.s."
"Do you mean it really ?" she says,
with an awful anxiety in her toue.-
care you serious? o God how
wish ! could think go !"
care you 80 anxious to outlive US sl'?'
he asks, with passionate melancholy
"Well, ca z~y-it is natural, I cup
pose. Why should not you? Very
li~cly you will have your wish"
~ want to live to be quite DID," sh<
says, hurriedIy, not needing lis up
braidiog eyes or tone. "I want to live
= great many years: people are otter
happier when they are middle aged thar
in youth but it is pleasant to be young
too. 1t is not all pleasure, but there ii
a great deal. I do not complaint d,
not complain" (She is trembling vic
lently). "Hold me I" she says, hyster
ically. "Do not let me 90. You ar
the only person in the world to whom
it matters much whether die or live
Promise me that I shall nct-oh, tia
dreadful word !-promise me"
II promise, darling," he says, 81
promise"
"You speak uncer.siuly she says
wrcnohing herself out of his arms, ant
staring at him IN distrustfal agony
"you are like Jemima-your face is al
quivering. I believe you are telling
me falsehoods on such q subject =
Great God ! can there be any thin)
vickeder than to deceive oue-to tel
one lles-in such case"
"Oh, my dear, I am not telling lies
Before God, I am not! I cou6dentl!
trust altogether hope, that I shall
yet see you strong and we'll again
If I thought the contrary, do you think
; I could bear my own life for one min
ute ?"
"What does it matter what you thinl
what you hope :" she cries, rough.
ly, with one Of her old, petulsot move
meuts twill your trusting and hoping
keep it of? Will telling lies about il
make IL anv hettar 7'' (v;th an anor,