The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-04-01

their dresses. 1tverC 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 admir-
ed Emily extremely, and were very CRATE
full and affectionate.
Before the end of the week, Evert came
to himself.
"I have dreamed you were here" he
said, with faint smile. "Now / see it is
you, and no phantom"
The delirum had gone, but the doctor
said nothing encouraging Evert insisted
on hearing the exact truth; and learned a t
last that he might possibly live a few days,
but not 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 useless
boon, with a vehemence that .seemed likely
to hasten the last moments. Mrs. Millburn
and Hatty seconded the petition with tears,
and were sure that "darlipg Emily would
not refuse dear Evert's last request.
Emily did what nine women out of ten
would have done in the same case, and
consented.
"What harm can 1t do ?" she thought,
cit is only 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 comforts
him now to think that my name will be
Mllburn instead of May, why should l re-
fuse?" And then it crossed her mind that
to her, and she hated herself 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 considera-
bly, 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 entirely,
and ceased to do anything; and, as some
times happens in like cases, he took a turn
for the better; and slowly the balance
trembled, the scale inclined, and life had
won.
"I'll tell you what it is" said the doctor
"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 actually married.
What should she do? What could she sayP
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 pres
emily Mrs. Milburn and Hatty came to her.
and overwhelmed her with embraces and
gratitude, and a point applique set and
fragmentary talk about her " things" and
proposals to send for her mother, all min
gled together. Emily resolutely put away
> thought for the time, but she could no
, help feeling, in an odd surprised way, thai
: she was not unhappy, and despised hersel
for having sort of ashamed, furtive in
+ terest in those things" which Mrs. Mill
burn and Hatty were longing to provide.
A week after that day, Evert was allow
ed to sit up in his easy chair, white anC
wan enough, but with look of returning
health and life. Emily was sitting almos
with her back to him, looking out into tn
tossing leafeless branches of the grea
. elm.
" Emily" said Mr.. Millburn, at last.
eyes" she answered quietly, but sh
did not turn her head.
"Emily, did not mean to get WE'LL"
No answer from Mrs. Millburn.
It 81 know how much you must feel wha
Z; has happened. Believe me, will take N
i advantage of your goodness; will set yo,
}. free as soon as can. My only wish is t
: spare you trouble ] will take all blame o.
y myself. / know you are longing to b
away and why should delay. what mus
IS come at last? 4? dare say Dick and Mrs
6 Macy, the nurse, can do all l need now"
: "oh, if you prefer Mrs. Macy's after
y dance, l am sure it is nothing to me,
y said Emily, in remarkably cross manner
70 "You are angry with me, but there nee