Connecticut western news., 1873-10-24

: thought to what they might lead il deed had the thought crossed my mint l should have dismissed it as out of tt ' question. " I can't see why you should hay done that, Rhoda can't imagine ths any one could see you often withor loving you. But don't fancy that wish you to think you have done wrong for, if I had known all that know nov l should not have given up one of tn opportunities that I have had of meet ing you"
 "Your visits have been the rays c sunshine in my dark life.''
 We may meet still as friends ?"
 As friends who love and trust on another"
 She put out her hand, and Dougla Charlton, taking 1t in both his, said:
 " 1 am going now, Rhoda, for I hay a great disappointment to fight down but we shall soon meet again" . They parted, and Dr. Charlton drev away, his heart filled with sadness.
 He could not bear to go to see Rhod for some days but after time hi visits began again. They were no merely those of friendship, for he hac noticed many symptoms in her latel, which showed that her old complain was only checked, not cured his ex perience told him that it was only matter of time with her now, for thouel skill could do much to Iengthen he life, it could not save it. His heart sank within him to thinl how soon he might lose this dear friend this woman that he loved with his whole heart; but he sometimes hoped that hit unremitting care and attention seemed likely to be rewarded, as she did not appear to grow worse.
 One afternoon, on going to see Rhoda Dr. Charltcn was quite shocked to see change had taken place in her during the few days that had intervaned since his last visit. His practiced 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- clous that there was any very particu- lar change for the worse in her, and rose to meet him with very bright air. She held letter in her hand, and directly he had sat down she gave it to him.
 It 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.
 Dr. Charlton's head swan as he read this. The thought of how much happi- ness might have been his, if this news had only been known earlier, seemed to take away for 8 moment all power of thought and speech. He recovered him. self in an instant, and going to Rhoda, took both her hands in his, and said:
 "Then you are mine, Rhoda."
 sYours in the sight of heaven," she answered.
 'sOh, my darling," he burst out, if we had only known before, what happiness might have been ours!''
 "And why not now, Douglas? Dove not love one another still "Yes, my Rhoda, dearly. I should like us to be married. at once," he ad- ded, rather hastily; ''but you are not fit to go to church. Will you let me marry you here tomorrow ? and then I can take you home with me. I think you might manage the drive" "Oh, yes, Douglas. am very well; how anxious you are about me!'
 ''We are always anxious about those we love, Rhoda," he sad sadly. q must go now to get the wedding license, and make arrangements for our we'd ding. Good-by, my darling," he said, taking her in his arms and kissing her fondly; ''you will see me early to-mor- row."
 When he returned next morning, he was mortified to find what havoc those few hours had made in her. She was ying on a sofa when he entered the room, and hardly attempted to get up to receive him.
 ''Are- you feeling worse, Rhoda ?" he asked anxiously.
 "I don't think so; but I feel very fred"
 "The 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 were both silent. He knew that his married life could last only few days, perhaps only few hours, and this znowledge made him too sad to talk. In short time the clergyman came: he ceremony was completed, and Doug as Charlton and his wife were alone, | He had told her how critical her state vas, and she had borne it quietly and yell.
 After time she broke the silence bv aying,
 'I shall never see your home, Doug as; mine, too, it would be now." Rhoda, don't talk so! I can't bear "We shall keep our marriage feast in eaven, Douglas, and it will be better here than on earth"
 He did not answer, and there was si- once again. This time he was the first 0 speak.
 "Do you still feel so tired, darling ?' Yes, dear, very tired :; but very 
 "Happy, Rhoda, when you are going way from me for ever p Not for ever, my husband we hall meet again in heaven, and there i'll be no parting there" Dr. Charlton saw no patients that ay, and the next morning the passers y his house saw that it was closely hut up.
 
 In corner of the churchyard be- onging to the parish in which Dr. harlton's estate stands, under a weep- 1g ash, which shades it alike from sun nd rain, is plain white marble tomb tone, and on it is inscribed:
 SACRED TO THE MEMORY
 
 RHoDA,
 THE FLOWED WIFE OF DOUGLAS CHARLTON, The flowers round that grave seem 1e brightest in the whole churchyard. -1Snsley's Magazine.
 A Cayuga county man sends the fol- 'wing advertisement to the Syracuse