Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-04-19
ALEXANDRIA, PARISH OF RAPIDEs. La

only cry and rustic about. and overset
things with their dresses. Evert would
grow restless as soon as Emily left him
so that the charge, in spite of herself, fell
into her hands.
Happily Mrs. Millburn and Hatty were
not jealous. On the contrary, they adj
mired Emily exceedingly, and were very
grateful and affectionate.
Before the end of the week, Evert came
to himself. 81 have dreamed you were
here" he said, with faint smile. snow
L see it is you, and no phantom"
! The delirium had gone, but the doctor
said nothing encouraging. Evert insisted
on hearing the exact truth; and learned
at last that he might possibly live a few
days, but no longer.
Then, to Emily's wonder and dismay,
Evert entreated that, for the little time
there was remaining, she would take his
name. His heart was set on this idea,
and he pleaded, for what seemed such a
useless boon, with a vehemence that
seemed likely to hasten the last mo-
ments. Mrs. Millburn and Hatty sec
onded the petition with tears, and were
sure that " darling Emily" would not re-
fuse dear Eyert's'last request.
Emily did what nine women out of
ten would have done, and consented.
"What harm can it do % she thought.
" it is only 4 mere form, but it gives me
the right to be with him to the end, and
will prevent any talk and he is so good,
and has loved me so well and if it COM
forts him now to think that my name
will be Millburn instead of May, why
should / refuse?' And then it crossed
her mind that widows cap would be
very becoming to her, and she hated her.
self because this silly notion had come to
her unbidden, and twisted up her hair
tight and plain, and went to meet the
clergyman in her old black mohair, which
had become considerably spotted down
the front in the course of her nursing.
The rite was made as short as possible,
and then Mrs. Millburn sent every one
away, and for two days the bride stood
over the bridegroom, and fought against
death till she was ready to faint
The doctor gave up the patient en-
tirely, and ceased to do anything AMI,
as sometimes happens in like cases, he
took turn for the better; and slowly
the balance trembled, the scale inclined,
and life had won.
"Fll tell you what it is" said the doc
tor, "your wife has saved your life."
Evert turned his head on the pillow,
and looked for Emily; but she had
slipped away into the next room, where
she sat down, feeling, for the first time,
with strange shock, that she was actual.
ly married. What should she do? What
could she say? How could she tell Evert,
after all, that she had only come to him as
she would have gone to Pat Murphy, If
he had sent for her, and consented to that
marriage rite as she had lent her silver
candlesticks to hold Father Flanagan's
blessed candles when Judy Murphy died?
The doctor went down stairs; and
presently Mrs. Millburn and Hatty came
to her, and overwhelmed her with en-
braces and gratitude, and point applique
set, and fragmentary talk about her
" things" and proposals to serd for her
mother, all mingled together. Emily
resolutely put away thought for the time,
but she could not help feeling, i'm an odd
way, that she was not unhappy.
and despised herself for having a sort Of
furtive interest in those "things"
which Mrs. Millburn and Hatty were
longing to provide.
A week after that day, Evert was al.
lowed to sit up in his easy chair, white and
wan enough, but with look ofreturning
health ara life. Emily was sitting almost
with her back to him, locking out into
the tossing leafless branches of the great
elm.
Emily" said Mr.. Millburn at last.
"Yes," she answered quietly, but she
did not turn her head.
EMILY, did not mean to get WELL"
No answer from Mrs. Millburn.
know how much you must feel what
has happened. Believe me, will take no
advantage of your goodness; l will set
you free as soon as can. My only wish
is to spare you trouble; will take all
blame on myself. know you are long
ing to be away; and why should | delay
what must come at last? dare say Dick
and Mrs. Macy, the nurse, can do all /
need now"
Oh, if you prefer Mrs. Macy's attend.
ance, am sure it is nothing to me-" said
Emily. in remarkably cross manner.
"You are angry with me, but there
need be no difficulty, dear. You came
away from home so hurriedly that it would
be perfectly natural for you to return to
your mother now"
But here, to Evert's dismay, Emily hid
her face, and began to cry in quite pas
;ionate and distressful fashion. Evert |
rose with difficulty, and went to her,-it |
was not more than three steps.
''Do you want to kill yourself?n she |
aid through her sobs, and she took hold |
If him and made him sit down, and then |
urned away, and laid her head on the |
window seat.
"What can do ?'' he said, distressed.
''It's too bad ! Oh, it's too bad!" she |
aid in the most unreasonable way.
II know it, Emily. You are as free as
hough no word had ever passed between
Is. Do you want to go to-day? l will
make If easy for you with mother and
Iatty," he said, with pang.
She went on crying, and then in min
lte she said, in most iBcoherent fashion,
''I-I didn't think was so very disa--
,reeable." The words dropped out one
" one between her sobs. s'But, of
Ourse, If you don't want me-"
Emily What do you mean? VIII you
tay? VIII you really try to care for me ~
le asked, with sudden light in his eyes.
81 don't know. Ibid think-as mat
ers are, we might try to make the best of |
t." she said in the faintest whisper, while |
he color ran to her fingers ends.
"You will?