Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-04-05

still and white till dawn, then opening
his eyes be muttered, "Dld l aim high
enough Il was my heart l brought you,
Josoy. You said you would prize IL
more than all. II Is shattered, you see.
Better dead than alive. "Eh 2" and he
laughed bitter laugh. Alone, then,
with my poor boy, knew what he had
done. How prayed that he mlght live
not die a death like this
When the morning came, and the house
hold were tod Of the accident, all the
merrymaking was stilled, and there
seemed more funeral knells than marriage
bells in the air. When the doctor came
again he looked serious, and shook his
head in answer to my pleading looks aud
then | knew that Wayne would die.
What should dol What could do !
sat beside him, ani thought and prayed,
and still was powerless TO act.
He had lain still and sleeping for hours (;
then, AS the sun crept round to his WIN
dow, he unclosed his eyes, and motioned
me to oren the blinds, which did, letting
in st'eam of sunshine. Turning his
face toward the light, he whispered,
Send them all away, auntie," aud they
left us alone. Then, taking my hand, he
said brokenly, "Auntie, see by your
face you know what | have done. 1t
was cowardly and ii is 'dishonorable
DEATH There was courage In IL too.
Bitter end an aimless life than live one
any lenger. You know ! loved her.
| have loved her ever since she was a little
girl, but | knew even then that she de
served one better and hraver than /,
[ She has got him too. Hamilton Is a good
/ fellow, and she will be an bonored wife,
But loved her better than wife was
loved. / knew / could not marry her.
1 NV cousin | wouldn't aim beneath my
honor aud rival him, even if could; but
she said she loved him, so l-Auntie
don't tell her, let me have her respect al
least, and God forgive me-"
Worn out with the struggle II cost hin
to speak, lie fell into doze. When lh'
sun was half sunk to rest he started anC
called "Jusey I" and his eloquent eye
told me he wanted TO see her once more
went down stairs for her. She sat II
the parlor by her lover, and looked 81
Joyous and happy, for moment ie'
half angry toward her; then. calling he
to the door, said "Josephinc, fca
Wayne's wound is mortal. lie has asked
for you. Go to him and oh, my child
be tender and good"
''she lonked at me half frightened, an
seeing something in my face, cried, ooh
Aunlie, not that! He will not die !" AM
could not answer her, but led her to th
room.
He opened his eyes and smiled with in
effable loye upon her,and cropping for he
hand like one in darkness, said In
breathless, broken voice, 81 Was a poo
shot, Josie-aimless, you see, In all. I'y
brought you a sorry preseni-one 20
won't prize more than all, as you prou
r ised - and she snuk trembling an
+ speeches. beside him.
"Josey," he cried, "do you despi:
, met Forgive -auntie, you didn't" The
she arose, and drawing his head to HI
r bosom, she took him in her arms au
g kissed him tenderly. And we all thrt
{ understood one another.
4 With the sun his life went dow
e Whether ii rose on the other world, ,brigl
G and beautiful, or whether it sank dow
e and down and down-he asked Ged
4, forgive him-God knows. We buri'
: him the day before Josephine sailed. 81
d and her husband stood over his gra'
s together, and II was she who put on
the cross and crown of immoftelles.
s And the aimless life was ended
:, To-day.