Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-11-15

than | had intended. had almost for
gotten the occurrence Of the preceding
year, and | hoped Gretta had also. |
cannot speak Of those few weeks of
Happiness, all too short as they were. Tho
day came. We were to have been married
early in the day, but the pastor suddenly
fcii down IN strong convulsions. and Ose
at some distance was sent for. When
Gretta was told of the delay, she said
quietly, Il knew it would be evening"
The wedding was to be as quotas possible,
OF account of Gretta's health, which. shut
our eyes a we would, we could not avoid
seeing was falling rapidly.
The pastor arrived, and the hour ap-
preached. The air was very heavy. and,
opening one of the windows, ] went out
upon the terrace. Walking slowly for
ward, saw n figure in white cross the
lower terrace and come slowly up the
steps near which | was standing. The
form and carriage assured me that il was
Gretta, and, calling her name, went to
meet her, but the figure passed quickly on,
and vanished in the shrubbery. Turning,
| saw Gretta at my side.
"' You have seen it. MAXI she said, in
answer to my look of amazed inquiry.
The time has come, Max. They do not
know that | am here she said, with a
glance toward the house, but wanted to
see you again. Don't forget me, Max. |
will wait for YOU
ave entered the house by different
ways, and in few minutes her brother
came TO call me. The service was COM
menced. My eyes were fixed on Gretta,
who was growing paler and paler at every
moment. Suddenly the tower-clock struck
seUeH she raised hereyes tomine. ! caught
her in my arms, but she never breathed
again. And that is the reason" said
Cousin Max, quietly, "why | shall never
marry"
The silence was oppressive. Presently
Claire and Alfred left the room.
and soon we heard the piano. Max
looked around with smile. "Claire is
calling us-where is Birdie?' pointed
to the window. He crossed over TO
her, and, laying his hand on her hair, said
coaXingly, "COme, song-bird, they want
US" But Birdie drew back from his Ca
ressing hand with quiet dignity that sat
strangely on her, and, eXcusing herself,
ran up to her own room.
Max rejoined us with sOrely puzzled
face. but though he watched the door all
the evening, Birdie did not re-appear. i
always went to her room at night, and
while Claire, Alfred and Robert were sit
ting chatting in the hall, / went upstairs.
Hearing no sound from BRIDES room. |
opened the door softly and went in. She
was kneeling by the open window, gazing
out upon the winding river just visible
through the trees, and the cleaning of the
white stones in the little church-yard on
its banks. called her. but she made no
answer. Sitting down beside her, lifted
her on my lap. Her hands were cold and
she was shaking from head to foot.
"My poor little pet, what is it,"
asked anxiously. Never shall forget the
piteous eyes she turned on me.
Gracie-Gracie. he only liked me be-
cause resembled hcrP
o, my darling! mothers eyes might
have seen the truth and saved you, but !
let you drift into this bitter love without
one word of warming.
The next day Birdie never left my side
refusing, greatly to the astonishment OF
Max, all his invitations to walk or read
with him. To do him justice, do moi
think he guessed the mischief he had done
Birdie had seemed to us such child, we
never thought of the strength and depth
of her character. Her sunny, happy ma
ture had been enough for us, and We
looked no further.
Robert and Max went away fora few
days together. and when they returned
Max seemed feverish and eXcitable. by
night he was much worse, and the doctor
very soon pronounced his disease typhui
fever. When Birdie heard that he was il
danger. she insisted upon seeing him, ant
after that he would not let her out of hi
SIGHT. He would call her ',Gretta," hi
darling," his ''wife," and beg her neve
to leave him again: and Birdie would 81
with her hand in his, soothing him, hu
moring his fancies, and growing paler ant
paler at every word he uttered. In tn,
morning, about two or three O'Clock. HI
would become more quiet, and then, leav
ing the nurse with him, she would como
to me. 1t was only at such times sh
rested at all. and often she wouldnot sleep
but would lie watching the color creepin,
into the eastern sky, with quiet look o
expectation on her face, which filled M
with an indefinable sense of dread. Ii
vain we begged her to give up hercare Q
Max: i'm that she was determined-noth
ing could shake her resolution. "Whil
he wants me | shall stay" she would sa,
decidedly.
The time for Claire's marriage ar
preached. We had decided to put it Of
another month; but greatly TO our aston
ishment, Birdie argued against this
When the doctor came she saw him alone
and he, too, advised us to have the wed
ding. Max might be i'll long time, h
said, and it was better to have as small
: family in the house as possible. So,
week later, Claire was married. Birdi
was there, pale and still, but with a smil
: on her face, and with loving words an
kisses fer our poor beauty, whose weddin
had proved so sad, after all. Alfred an
Claire were to leave Immediately so on
| good-byes were hurried.
Il am coming back in week." Clair
said to Birdie, land then / am going
: take you away with me-"
: Birdie did not speak for minute, an
2 when she did, she only said softly, ''GooC
| by, pretty Claire-good-by."
: That night Birdie told me the trutl
l She was taking the fever, and the doctc
, had said there was no chance of her livin
J, through it. He had told her, a week ag'
that. by nursing Max. she might save h
e life, but she would certainly lose her own
( and our Birdie had answered, Il will say
d him if | can.'
d Il am so glad Claire is married; | W;
n afraid she would have TO Waitr Birdie sal