Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1874-12-10
CHAPTER XXI.

too late said DR.. Pilzansich to Jennie. as
they stood together in the parlor The doctor
had just communicated to Jennie, rs gently
as possible, his opinion that Mrs Podgcrs
would not live till morning; and the remark
just quoted alluded to ScribbletOn's expected
arrival Jennie had listened to him, when he
spoke of her aunt's approaching dissolution,
with great exterior calmness but she had
been day by day prepared for such an event
| and it did not take her by surprise now that
the unwelcome, the bitter announcement wa:
actually made. But the grief that did not APP
pear upon the surface was rcndins her heart,
for her aunt was very dear to her, being as
sociated with many of the most treasured
memories of Jennie's youth. Her sorrow,
too, was rendered more poignant by the re-
tlection that her aunt had FASTENED her end
by her unremittcd, eXhausting efforts in htr
behalf while ste was upon the bed of sick
ness.
V"t the constant attendance at her aunt S
oedsioe' hei ~-~;"tv at the speedy progress
Of the fever toward the aln.~-. oo,,.;,, o,,,,,,;
nation, had served Jennie good ,,,r...o
for she had less opportunity to reflect upon
her own great troubles. Even now, when
Scribblcton was expected within the hour, her
sense Of what she had suffered was so OBJ
wings that she scarcely thought of him but
as she might of any one who had been sum-
moncd to her aun,'s dying-bed. And when
Scribbleton alightcd from the train and walk
ed with quick step toward the house. he
toe, was so full Of anxiety and toreboding on
Mrs. Podgers' account that he experienced
little of the dread, the shame at the near
meeting with Jennie that he would have felt
under other circumstances. And so they met
quietly and without shock, and Jennie led
the way and Scribbleton followed, to the
room where lay the dying aunt and wife, and
neither thought, bat as dim memory of the
distant, nigh-forgotten past, of the heart
aches each had suffered for the others sake
Such is the mighty influence of death:
Such the awful hush that falls in its presence
upon the bosom's livcliest emotions. Such
the enchanting power of the spectacle of
soul taking its dread flight into eternity 70 be-
come what? to see what: to suffer or enjoy
what? To learn the certainty or the falseness
of the Christians cheering hope and the
scornful doubts of the unbeliever.
AS the hours of the night passed ON, the
sickwoman lay now moaning in her delirium,
again sinking into state of almost deathly
quietude, and around the bed sat the three
earnest, anxious wxtchers-the husband,
niece, and physician. awaiting in grief and
a" the slow but certain approach of the
end. After one of these seasons of quiet the
eyes of the dying woman unclosed, and the
watchers, all as by one impulse, gave start
of pleasure, for it was evident that long ab-
sent intelligence had in these last impressive
moments resumed once more its throne.
"Tou here, dear:" she said with a faint
smile, seeing her niece by her bedside. ''And
you, too:" observing her husband upon the
opposite side. II am SO glad, for have
mnch TO say to you. Ah, doctor, this time
my case is beyond your skill. But l do not
fear death. have but one duty to perform,
AID then am ready. Go to Jcnnies side,
my husband, for want to see you together
again.
Scribbleton hesitated and glanced toward
Jennie, but her face expressed no objection,
and he took seat by her side.
"There, can talk to you better now. The
most of the story is for you, Jennie, for it is
from you that the facts have been hidden.
And you must stay and hear 1t doctor, for
want witness to the world Of my wishes in
the matter