The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1874-07-02
cWACfE = Guosr
uY MARY HEED cEowErL.

.
T it, arranging afrcsh tbe low glass dishes
of trailing flowers, the high piled cper-
gnes Of luscious fruit, And glancing anx-
iousIy every moment al the listless, hand
some young man who Jay 50 stilI on a
bamboo lounge under the open window
II you only would be prevailed upon
to est, Fred am sure, II You tried,
you would relish = tiny portion Of straw.
berries aud cream with this battered
biscuit.
She had walked over to his side, and
laid her hand ON bis forehead, looking
down In his eyes so tenderly, 80 solicit
ously.
I Mother, can't eat while Oracle lies
so terribly III. Oh, If she dies what will
| do?
He had q sweet voice, low, thrilling,
earnest, and Mrs. Holloway knew be
meant even more than his language aud
tone expressed. Her face olouded a Sec
ond, then there came over It an expires
sion Of sympathy.
My poor boyl my poor darliugl you
love her so.
Love her? Mother, my life will be the
completest wreck If she is taken
lie stopped abruptly, something in biz
mothers eyes told him his words cut
closely home.
! know always have you, dear little
mother, but my own Oracle is so near
aud you would not have been aggry Will
her when you knew her.
| would never have been angry will
my sons wife, Fred; but you know per.
ectly never approved of your engage
iment with Oracle Barny,while you know
il was, and still Is, my earnest desire tC
call Nellie Hunt my daughter-in--
You never will! Mother, you torture
me beyond expression--and Oracle dy
ing! If could only see her! if it wasn'
for the cruelty wicked condition of soeie
ty, | could see her, be with her when
know she wants me so.
Fred arose from the lounge, and tried
honestly, to eat the tempting delicacy hi
mother had prepared; only mouthful
though; his heart was too sore, his con
Germ too deep, ,and he went up to his room
as soon as the earliest dark shadows gath
cred, and threw open the lattice blindi
that he might enjoy the poor privilege o
looking in the direction Of the house il
which his darling lay dying.
Over his dressing table, framed in gil
and blue velvet, was her picture painted
on ivory; fair face, with slightly flush
ed cheek, and lips as fresh as a rose bud
Dark, waving hair, brushed high Off
: low forehead and falling in half curleC
mass at the back, tied with a ribbon
grave, sweet eyes, that looked at hin
with yearning in their glance that mad
= him groan with anguish as he wondered
feared, how they looked at that very mo
ment-if they were open yet, with life,o
closed forever.
His ewn Oracle his darling! and t
think his mother preferred Nellie Hunt
with her ld,quiet ways, her soft, snak
touch, her light tread, that always bro
her near you when you wanted her ful
therest away; Nellie Hunt, that hi
G mother called refined, lady like, reticen
as every true woman should be; Nelli
Hunt who this very minute lowered owe
- his Gracie's bedside, the only woma
, who had braved the awful fiend that wa
depopulating the little country vIlag,
that had stricken GraCie's mother an
sister down, days ago.
Wen, it was good of Nellie, certainly
ouly-somehow he was afraid Nell
wouldn't take suitable care Of his trea
ure, oh, why couldn't be rush down
her and battle herhot head and cradle HI
g in his arms and fight death for herr
u Aud so the sweet June night wore q
and on; the stars came out, great, gli
tering cayalcade; the flowers closed the
scent cups, the night winds rustled an
swayed the clms by the window, an
then Fred Holloway, his face white, an,
ions, worn, stIl turned toward Oracle
home, fell into an uneasy doze in the cha
by the window.
How long he had slept, he knew not.
lie only knew he awoke with a start,
q sort OF terror and amaze, finding Il
4 light out, aud the world as still as deaf
and
IL Oracle Barry, white, motionIess as Il
- statuette Of Ceres that held the dim ga
JET In bis room; Oracle, wan, weird, h
short shayen hair curling In spirals ovt
her white forehead; Oracle, looking
him with an agony Of intensest love-
else, Graeic's wraithl
lie could not move, nor stir finger.
His breath seemed frozen; his limbs 50
denly petriGed; and even while he gazl
she disappeared as silently az she mu
have come.
Then, when the strange spell was r
moved when the trance Of sudden amaz
ment was broken, Fred rushed TO 4
window, aud locked with eager eve
knowing hc should not zee her--or II
~ agsin, AID yet hoping, praying wildl
that he might.
But the straight level roadside, bath,
with foods of brilliant starlight, was d,
olate, deserted; only tbe wind sung
softer strain, aud the elm branches qui
cred gently.
Fred realized it then, 81 on3e.
knew, ior certainty, that Gracie, !
b, darling, was dead; that her soul, in
myacrous transit from the bofderiaBd
qst,yss Ia fko sl.sy,gs ~ ats-f.ft,s E.4 mas