National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-10-17

HtN'' H'"tu VI IiHl hiHce. DelnH IcIt
entirely upon my own hands, assumed
the name Of Dunmore, and under it
got employment rs n governess, sulli-
cient TO keep me, until the illness came,
which prevented me from doing any.
thing more. The father of some Of
my pupils most kindly interested him.
self in getting M into the hospital, in
which you met me. Now you know
why cannot say yes to you, and enter
upon what would be great happiness
for me-"
She ceased, and they were both silent
for some time. DR.. Charlton was the
first to speak.
80 Rhoda," he said, "you cannot
tell what dream Of happiness you have
shattered. i have so hoped ! might be
able to make you my WIFE"
" Have / done wrong, DR.. Charlton,
in allowing you to come and see me so
often, knowing what l know? If so,
believe me it has been done in perfect
innocence. Your visits have been such
pleasure to me, that l have never
thought to what they might lead in
deed had the thought crossed my mind,
| should have dismissed it as out of the
question"
II can't see why you should have
lone that, Rhoda ; / can't imagine that
my one could see you often without
loving you. But don't fancy that /
wish you ts think you have done wrong;
for, if had known all that l know now,
should not have given up one of the
opportunities that have had of meet
ing you.
"Your visits have been the rays of
sunshine in my dark life.
We may meet still as friends i? A."
Gas friends who love and trust one
another"
She put out her hand, and Douglas
Charlton, taking 1t in both his, said
81 am going now, Rhoda, for / have
great disappointment to fight down
but we shall soon meet again.
They parted, and DIR. Charlton drove
away, his heart filled with sadness.
He could not bear to go to see Rhoda
for some days but after time his
visits began again. They were not
merely those of friendship, for he had
which showed that her old complaint
was only checked, not cured his ex-
perience told him that it v rs only
matter of time with her now, for though
skill could do much to iengthen her
life, it could not save it.
His heart sank within him to think
how soon he might lose this dear friend,
this woman that he loved with his whole
heart; but he sometimes hoped that his
care and attention seemed
likely to be rewarded, as she did not |
appear to grow worse.
One afternoon, on going to sec Rhoda,
DR.. Charlton was quite shocked to see
a change had taken place in her during
the few days that had intervened since
his last visit. His practiced eye saw
only too clearly how short time of life |
there now remained to her, and feeling |
Of unutterable anguish came over him. |
Rhoda herself seemed quite uncon-
cious that there was any very particu
lar change for the worse in her, and rose
to meet him with very bright air. She
held letter in her hand, and directly |
le had sat down she gave it to him.
1t was fIom the lawyer of the Brace
bridge family, and told her that the
writer had received certain news of the
leath, more than year ago, of Lord
DR.. Charlton's head swan as he read
his. The thought of how much happi-
ness might have been his, if this news
lad only been known earlier, seemed to
AXE away for a moment all power of
hought and speech. He recovered him.
elf in an instant, and going to Rhoda,
ook both her hands in his, and said:
"Then you are mine, Rhoda."
"Yours in tho sight of heaven she
"Oh, my darling" he burst out, if we
lad only known before what happiness
night have been ours
"And why not now, Douglas? Do we
lot love one another still
eyes, my Rhoda, dearly. I should
ike us to be married at once" he ad-
led, rather hastily; ''but You are not
it to go to church. Will you let me
marry you here tomorrow and then l
an take you home with me. | think
'ou might manage the drive"
"Oh, yes, Douglas. 1 am very well;
low anxious You are about me!'
eve are always anxious about those
We love, Rhoda," he said sadly. II
aust go nov to get the wedding license,
nd make arrangements for our we'd
ing. Good-by, my darling" he said,
aking her in his arms and kissing her
cndly; "ysu will see me early to-mor-
ow."
When he returned next morning, he
yas Mortified to find what havoc those
ew hours had made in her. She was
wing on sofa when he entered the
oom, and hardly attempted to get up
D receive him.
care you feeling worse, Rhoda ?" he
sked anxiously.
II don't think so; but I feel very
red"
"The clergyman will be here soon, !
nd your landlady and her daughter :
i'll be the only witnesses of our mar }
age" ..... ...,.. 7
He sat down by her side, and they
ere both silent. He knew that his !
arried life could last only few days, 8
erhaps only few hours, and this n
lowledge made him too sad to talk. /
In a short time the clergyman came; h
e ceremony was completed, and Doug r
s Charlton and his wife were alone. 4
g had told her how critical her state q
rs, and she had borne it quietly and n
I'll.
After a time she broke the silence by
ying,
"I shall never see your home, Doug I,
5; mine, too, it would be now" ~
" Rhoda, don't talk so! 1 can't bear Il
" We shall keep our marriage feast in Il
aven, Douglas, and it will be better m
ora than on Garth =,