Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-07-31

oASS'-N
came to call me. The services was com
menced. My eyes were fixed on Gretta
who was growing paler and paler at ever
moment. Suddenly the tower clock struc]
seven; she raised her eyes to mine
caught her in my arms but she neve
breathed again. And that is the reason,
said cousin Max, quietly, "why I shall
never marry"
| The silence was very oppressive. Pres
entity Claire and Alfred left the room, ant
soon we heard the piano. Max looked
round with smile. ''Claire is gazing u.s.
where is Birdie ?'' pointed to the WIN
dow. He crossed ever>to her, and laying
his hand enr~her hair, said coaxingly
'Comea .sengbird, they want u.s." But Biz
die~drew back from his caressing hand
with quiet dignity that sat strangely on
her, and, excusing herself, ran up to hel
own room.
Max rejoined us with q sorely puzzled
face; but, though he watched the door all
the evening, Birdie did not appear l al
ways went to her room at night, and while
Claire, Alfred and Robert were still chat
ting in the hall, went upstair. Hearing
no sound from Brides room,I opened the
door softly and went in. She was kneel-
ing by the open window, gazing out upon
the winding river just visible through the
trees, and the cleaning of the white stones
in the little churchyard on it's banks. l
called her but she made no answer. Sit
ting down beside her, lifted her on my
lap. Her hands were cold, and she was
shaking from head to foot.
s'My poor little pet, What is it?" | ask
ed, anxiously. Never shall I forget the
piteous eyes she turned on me.
s'Gracle-G Oracle, he only liked me be-
cause resembled her!'
o my darling mothers eyes might
have seen the truth and saved you, but [
let you drift into this bitter love without
one word of warning.
The next day Birdie never left my side,
refusing, greatly to the establishment OF
Max, all his invitations to walk OF read
with him. To do him justice, [ do not
UIIlllh liz lCoOCu
Birdie had seemed to us such child we
never thought of the strength and depth of
her character. Her sunny, happy nature
had been enough for us, and we looked for
no further.
Robert and Max went away for few
days together, and when they returned
Max seemed feyerish and eXcitable. By
night he was worse, and the doctor very
soon pronounced that he had the fever
When Birdie heard that he was in danger,
she insisted upon seeing him; and after
that he would not have her out of his sight.
He would call her 'sGretta," his darling"
his t'wife,'' and beg her never to leave
him again; and Birdie would sit with her
hand in his soothing him, humoring his
fancies, and growing paler and paler at
every word he uttered. In the early morn
inc. about two or three O'Clock, he would
become more quiet, and then, leaving the
nurse with him, sheewould come to me. 1t
was only at such times she rested at all,
and often she woule not sleep, but would
lie watching the color creeping into the
eastern sky with a quick look of expecta-
bion on her face, which would fill me with
an indefneble sense of dread. In vain we
begged her to give up her care Of Max in
that she was Notwithstanding could
shake her resolution. "While he wants me
[ shall stay see would say decidedly.
The time for Claire's marriage approach
ed. We had decided to put off another
but, greatly to our establishment,
Birdie argued against this. When the doc
tor came she saw him alone, and he, too,
advised us to have the wedding. Max
might be i'll a long time, he said, and it was
better to have as small family in the
house as possible, for the terrible pestilence
was launching its death shafts all around
us. So week later Claire was married.
Birdie was there, pale and still, but with a
smile on her face, and with loving words
and kisses for our poor beauty, whose we'd
ding had proved so sad after all. Alfred
and Claire were to leave Immediately; so
our good byes were hurried.
That night Birdie told me the truth. She
was taking the fever. and the doctor had
said there was no chance of her living
through it. lie told her a week. ago that
by her nursing Max she might save his
life, but that she would certainly lose her
own; and our Birdie had answered, II
will save him if I can.''
II am so glad Claire married +: [ was
afraid she would have to wait,' Birdie
said to me, Oh! so quietly.
begged the doctor to forbid her watch
ing Max, but he shook his head: "It would
do no good; she wouldn't live any longer
for it' So for little while longer I sat
waiting every night for my darling, out
side the door of her murderer, as [ called
him in my wretched heart One morning
she was later than usual. The doctor had
been with Max all night; he left about
three, telling me as he passed me on the
stair, that Max was better, was sleeping
quietly, and must not be disturbed.
Four struck, and yet Birdie did not
come. | was afraid to open the door, so sat
leaning my head ON my hand, counting
the minutes as they passed. The birds
were beginning to sing in the chestnut tree
outside. sprang to my feet as the door
creaked slightly. The nurse was holding
it open, and 1 fancied 1 saw tears on her
wrinkled cheeks. Birdie was standing in
the doorway. ''It's come now Oracle, y
she said softly, as she ciasped her arms
about my neck,
The cool October winds were blowing
and yet Max had not left his room. He
was able to sit up all the morning, and l
used to bring my work and sit beside him.
One clear, bright day he was sitting beside
the open window and watching the lazily
moving clouds. We did not speak much
to each other. He was too weak. and [