Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-09-13
viii you 90 right home and write to her,

Maggie ?'' " A''
"Yes, Job, will" ;" replied the 0irl IN
faltering voice. Then she took up he,
sun-bonnet, and with load of guilt Dress.
ing like lead on her heart, she took hel
way hOmeward.
81 didn't mean any HARM" she said tc
herself, wringing her hands as she hurried
aleng across the fields. 81 didn't thinl
she'd care for it, and l loved him SO. j
wonder what Is in it.? l didn't think /,
could open. o, wish I'd "a give it tt
her, so do!w
When Maggie reached the front gate OF
her fathers dO0r-yard, she found q fine
carriage and horses standing there. Look.
ing up to the house, her eyes met those O,
gentleman and lady, who, dressed In
travelling costume, stood on the threshold
of the portico.
winnie! Vinnie!' cried Maggie,
spreading her arms and darting along the
rustic walk to clasp her young friend.
Then followed kisses and Calculations OF
joy and surprise, after which Winnie in
troduced her husband, fine-lOoking
young man, In fact, the junior partner of
a Boston banking-house.
We have been to Minnesota for we'd
ding Journey" said Winnie, land per
suaded Mr.. Sinclair to stop off for dav
or two and bring me out to see you."
30, Pm SO glad-so glad !" cried Mag
gle, leading the way info her little parlor.
While Mr.. Sinclair leaned our of the
east window, taking look at the flower
garden below, Maggie whispered long and
rapidly In Vinnie's ear, after which she
took from her bosom the little casket, and
gave it to Winnie.
Meantime Job lay restlessly tossing on
his bed. Outdoors it was most glorious
day. The sun burned fiercely in cloud.
less sky, but the wind washed across the
land in cool, steady volume, wringing
the sweets from clover blooms and the
fragrance from ripening fruit, sitting rare
music through the tree-tops and drifting
the swallows about through the golden
hazes of summer.
Towards evening, Maggie entered Jobs
chamber, but job did not see her. His
flaming eyes fastened themselves on Vim
ME. who followed her. Ii all that look
conveyed. could be written, it would
make book of wonderful power.
Winnie Dent above the sick man, and
smiling kindly, said:
Job, am glad to. see you-how are
you feeling" 1t was all she could think
of to say just then.
did you open it?' asked the man
quickly.
Winnie looked puzzled. Maggie whis-
pered something In her ear.
30, the little casket! No, Maggie and
have both tried, and we cannot open Ii, "
and Winnie displayed the trinket in her
hand.
sGive it here" said Job, and taking It.
a dextrous turn Of his thumb-nail threw
back the lid, disclosing a bit of folded
paper within.
''Vinnie took out the paper, and unfold
ing IL, read silently as her cheeks blanched
and burned by turns:
II love you. When you read this, If you
don't Love me, send back the little fr'n', and
let me die. rl not make no fuss about it,
but just de as quiet as can. LOVINGLY,
~ "JOB.n
Silence reigned in the room, except that
the wind wandered through, rustling the
dresses Of the women. The sweet, clear
voices Of meadow-larks came up from the
clover field. Presently, Winnie turned
her eyes from the open window, whittier
they had wandered from the paper. They
met those of Job, in which the flame of
life was fading. The dying man made q
movement with his lips. as If to speak.
Seeing the effort. Winnie dropped her
head so that her curls fell on his cheek.
he murmured one word, that was all
+" Glory!"
The next pulse of summer air bore
away the soul Of Job Dunlap. Winnie
enclosed the paperin the casket and turned
away, but Maggie cast herself on the life
less form and wept in utter anguish of
grief.-Locke's National Magazine.