The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-02-11

A WHO nope was leaping In Richard
BOughton's heart, new light was pour
ing into his mind. Could Il be? He al
most shuddered to ask himself the ques-
tiOn.
Far into the night he sat there listening
to the rawlings of the dying man--sat un-
I'll the huttering hands grew quiet, the
babbling tongue hushed, the restless eyes
mOtiOnless. Then he drew the cover
reverently over the stiffening form, and
turned silently away. The first beams of
the coming sun were flushing the east; a
solitary bird chirped sweetly. Richard
BoughtOn's eyes raised with thankfulness
The sun of hope had risen in his heart |;
doubt had given place to truthful GER
tainty.
Next day he followed the dead form to
the grave, and then took his way back to
America.
The morning sun cast struggling beams
between the house-tops into the scantily-
furnished room, where Maria Warton sat
busily writing. No rest for the aching
fingers; their bread depended on the
copying which her weary fingers per-
formed.
On the neat bed a wasted form lay
wearily complaining. Life was low in
the dull, sunken eyes the weary one was
fast sinking to rest.
"Hush, Nellie" said Maria Warten's
sympathizing voice. "YOu wear yourself
out by your fretting. Compose yourself,
Nellie you have baby to live for"
He will never come again, Maria. l
shall never see him again. am dying.
Hush, Maria, l feel it-dying. Oh, baby,
baby, how can leave you p'
She caught the wondering child beside
her, and pressed it closely to her breast.
Il will be mother to your child, Nellie.
Fear not will care for baby"
Maria Warton's memory brought up
that promise Of long ago. How bitterly
had it cost her to fulfill it! She had car
ried her cross bravely; she would not
falter now. The peace that came into
the dying mothers eyes amply repaid
her.
1t was all over. Maria Warton sat
mournfully gazing upon her little charge.
She was alone now. How desolate
seemed the future! What agony to re-
member the past
She heard not the eager steps ascend
ing the stairs; she knew not that the
presence for which she longed, above all
others, was coming to her. A quick knock
at the door aroused her; but before she
had advanced a step it was flung open,
strong pair of arms were about her, a
well-remembered voice sounding in her
ears.
"Maria, darling! Thank heaven, 1
have found you %
One blissful moment she rested there
the Joy Of years seemed compressed into
that moment. Then she remembered,
and struggled to escape.
"Be quiet, Maria; l know all. How
could you imagine that could love you
less because Of povertyT
proachful, but Maria's gaze fearlessly met
his.
81 heard you say that you would not
marry poor girl--that your wife must be
above the suspicion of having married
for money"
Richard Beughton understood all now.
How clearly the words came back to him
Brave, unselfish, wrongly-judged Maria,
content to bear the blame rather than to
expose another!
"Foolish words, darling, and bitterly
atoned for. But it is past, Maria. Will
you not forgive me? Be my wife, darl-
ing. Henceforth nothing will separate
us"
"I can not"
Her gaze rested wearily upon the child.
Must the new promise mock her as the
old had done-dash the brightness
from her life just when it was most
precious?
Richard Boughton's gaze followed hers.
The words spoken in the French hospital
came back; the black garb Of Maria re-
vealed fresh grave.
"Poor childp' he said, mournfully;
motherless, fartherlessp
Maria Warton now knew that her
brother was dead. He checked the words
she must utter.
81 will be father to it," he said
solemnly. "Nay, Maria, you shall not
refuse me-"
And Maria Warton, leaning on that
strong breast, could not deny him.
Softly, amid her falling tears, she MUIR
INJURED, Through the shadows"
I" Into the light !" said the deep voice
Of Richard Broughton, reverently."