The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-10-20

never heard Of him since. Being left
entirely upon my own hands, I assumed
the name Of Dunmore, and under it
got employment as q governess, sufIi-
cient 10 keep me, until the illness came,
which prevented mo from doing any
thing more. The father of some OF
my pupils most kindly interested him
self in getting mo 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
toll what q dream OF happiness you have
shattered. I have SO hoped I might be
Nblo to make you my wife,"
"Haye l done wrong, DR.. Charlton,
in allowing you to come and SEQ me so
often, knowing what / know2 II 30,
believe me it has been done in perfect
innocence. Your visits have been such
n pleasure to me, that I have never
thought to what they might lead in
deed had the thought crossed my mind,
I should hayO dismissed it as out Of the
question"
"I can't see why you should have
done that, Rhoda I can't imagine that
any one could see you often without
loving you. But don't fancy that /
wish you to think you have done wrong;
for, II I had known all that know now,
1 should not have given up one Of the
opportunities that I have had Of meet
"Your visits have been the rays Of
sunshine in my dark life."
1--WE may meet still as friends q"
Gas friends who love and trust one
another" ..
She put out her hand, and Douglas
Charlton, taking 1t in both his, said:
liam going now, Rhoda, for have
a great disappointment to fight down;
but We shall soon meet again"
They parted, and DR.. Charlton drove
away, his heart filed with sadness.
He could not bear TO go to see Rhoda
for some days; but after q time his
visits began again. They were not
merely those Of friendship, for he had
noticed many symptoms in her lately
which showed that her old complaint
was only checked, not cured i; his e1-
perience told him that 1t was only o
matter OF time with hernow, for though
skill could do much TO lengthen her
life, IL could not save IT.
His heart sank within him To think
how soon he might lose this dear friend,
this woman TINT he loved with his whole
heart; but he sometimes hoped that his
unremitting care and attention seemed
likely to be rewarded, as she did not
appear to grow worse.
One afternoon, on going 10 sec Rhoda,
Dr.. Charlton was quite shocked to see
q change had taken place in her during
the few days that had interviewed since
his last visit. His pncticed 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
hold letter in her hand, and directly
he had sat down she gave 1t to him.
II was from the lawyer OF the Brace
bridge family, and told her that the
writer had received certain news OF the
death, more than year ago, Of Lord
Bracebridge.
DE- Charlton's head swan as he read
this. The thought Of how much happi-
ness might have been his, il this news
Ind only been known earlier, seemed TO
take away for q moment all power OF
thought and speech. He recovered him
sell in IN instant, and going to Rhoda,
took beth her hands in his, and said:
"Then you are mine, Rhoda."
"Yours in the sight Of heaven" she
ooh, my darling" he burst out, five
had only known before, what happiness
might have been oursl''
6And why not now, Douglas? Dow
not love one another still?
"Yes, my Rhoda, dearly. I should
like US TO be married at once" he ad-
led, rather hastily, "but you are not
1t to 60 TO church. Will you let mo
matty you here tomorrow? and then l
ian take you home with me. / think
you might manage tho drive"
"oh, yes, Douglas. lam very well;
how anxious you are about me"
1--WE are- always anxious about those
wo love, Rhoda," he said sadly. IT
must 20 now to get tho wedding license,
md make arrangements for our we'd
ding. Good.by, my darling" ho said,
taking her in his arms and kissing her
tondly; "you will see me carly to-mor-
row."
When he returned next morning, hc
was Mortified to find what havoc those
lew hours had made in her. She was
wing on q sofa when he entered the
room, and hardly attempted to get mp
10 receive him.
dAre you feeling worse, Rhoda 2" he
'''iiN Il don't think SO; but I feel very
-'ST SThe clergyman will be here soon,
md your landlady and her daughter
will be the only witnesses of our mar
.iage."
He sat down by her side, and they
we're both silent. He knew that his
married life could last only few days,
perhaps only o few hours, and this
made him too sad to talk.
In short time the clergyman came;
,he ceremony was completed, and Doug
"a Charlton and his wife were alone.
lie had told her how critical her state
vas, and she had borne IL quietly and
Fell.