The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-03-25

does she ,otP
You -nire her very much, Blanch
said despe atoly
4 can scarcely call it admiration h
answered, drawing Blanche down to
seat Oh the edge of tho porch, where i
was nearly level with the grassy bank
i love her, Blanche
Blanche looked up quickly, to NEE
the honest, dark eyes Of her lover lixeC
upon her face.
Not as [ love you, darling he sale
smiling; not as my promised wife il
lovcd-with the entire devotion of m,
hcart--but as would love a winsome
beautiful child. She is so innocent, Sc
child like that it wakens all my instinct
Of protection and kindness-thc desire t
gather her up and shield her from all sor
row and suffering. Do you understand
me /?
Perfectly. Poor Jessie
with her sensitive nature, | am afraid
there is sorrow 10 the future Blanche
Should she love unworthily or unhappily
believe it would kill her.
There was no reply. Blanche could
scarcely keep back the tears, thinking o
the love already awakened in the young
heart. After a moment of silence, les.
sic came down to the porch and seated
herself upon the doorstep, not far from
the corner where Blanche and Raymond
was still setting. She had no work in
her little white hands, but crossed them
idly upon her lap, as she gazed forward
drinking in the beauty of the autumn
scenery, aud letting Raymond's voice
make glad music in her heart. He had
given her nod and word of welcome
and after moment said
Sing for US, Undine
There was weird German ballad, q
special favorite Of Raymond's fall ol
quaint transpositions-now merry, now
dismally mournful iu minor changes
which suited Jcssic's voice perfectly. She
was fond of giving the startling, abrup,
passages with all their force, and could
wall like lost spirit in the sad words oi
the song, or ring out its jubiant, merry
notes with gladsome power. So, when
Raymond made his request, she began
the song in her best German. But a:
she sang she eljl1ed, hgHe" Ynt, stunned ;
then, with a piercing shrek, sprang for
ward and pushed Blanche from her seat.
The suddenness of the push threw
Blanche forward upon the grass, and
Raymond sprang up as the fearful ring.
ing scream broke upon the air but J Jes.
sic fell across the edge of the porch, and
crashing down upon her came the iron
cornice which she had seen loosenng as
she sprang forward to save the others.
A monument Of surprise, Of horror, and
the household came running to see the
meaning of the scream that had startled
them all. Raymond and Blanche were
lifting the heavy iron ornament, and theil
united strength was required to raise it
Jessie was lying upon her face, apparent
( ly dead.
They carried her TO the house and SEN
for physicians and surgeons. Mrs. Byrnt
tried every remedy, sobbing pitifully a.
she realized how useless all would be
RAYMOND chaied the cold hands anc
gently wiped the still, white face; Will,
Blanche could only kncel and pray in ;
distant corner, sobbing and weeping fol
the life given to save her own.
The surgeons came at last, and the
room was cleared, only Mrs. Byrne re
naming. A long hour crept away, ant
the grave gentlemen came out and me
Raymond on the porch.
His white quiveriug lips refused t,
form The words Of the question he wishe,
to ask, but the inquiry in his eyes wa
answered.
She may live an hour.
No hope p he faltered.
The back is broken was the dreadful
answer, and there are other fatal inju
ries.
Does she know p
Yes, she will probably be conscious
the end
So they went on their way. Huma
help was of no avail there, and othe
sufferers demanded the precious time the
} dare not waste.
Raymond bowed his head upon tn
: fatal porch, and the tears that were n
shame to his manhood, fell unchecked.
Blanche found him there when, whit
; and trembling, she came to seek him.
She wishes to bid you goodbye
) The fair white face rested upon tn
, pillows they had placed upon the loung
) where Jessie had slept so quietly fe
r hours before. The poor crushed bod
, was hidden under snowy covers, the hell
less hands lying already lifeless upo
them. But the great dark eyes sougl
. Raymond's face,
You are safe :!
That was the whisper that betraye
} all.
'Undine = he sobbed, knco.ing besit
-. her. my poor darling
. She could move nothing but her ey'
G and lips, but she looked ut Blanche
E she whispered again.
q IIe sprang up before l came.
e pushed you, bat | meant TO save him to
: Blanche. never knew till now, Blanch
s | loved him. You will forgive me
! never mean, to wrong you. lie low
5 you too well for that. You viii think
= me when am gone, Raymond =
Gasping in broken sentences, with lor
q intervals between, the above words ne
). spoken, as only the dying speak.
(. 'Oh, Undine, Raymond said, 'wou
that could have saved you.
y A smile lowered over the pale lips.
1T is sweet to die for you, Raymon'
q And as the words died away, the 5.
f white lips closed wearily, and the dan
a dews OF death gathered upon the ia
A brow.
go now,' Mrs. Byrne said in lC
i. voice, L will remain here
There was no further word. The nar
;, of the man to whose unconscious keepi
, she had given her heart, was the l.