The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1875-09-03

"''I'I l'It' L saw IL all. Ana II Is Il
miracle that the shock did not kill Mrs.
March. You should thank Heaven not
only that all is well with you, but with
heri" The doctor came back and
found the tears trickling through the
girls fingers.
SIT was too harsh medicine, nurse
said he. t'But we will do the best We
may with it. | have known YOU too
long, my dear, to disregard the happi-
ness | see you throwing away"
"Oh, DOCTOR" cried Maria, 81
think the fever has burned all the venom
out of me :" And she burst into her
old historical sobS. But the doctor
sOothed her, and did not leave till sure
the nurse had not miSjudged her
strength, and that the truth would be Il
tonic.
As Maria lay there, thinking it all
over, the cmormity of her conduct and
its possibilities made her blood run cold.
If her ~stcp-mothcr had died in conse-
qucncc of that shock, she did not see
how she could live herself. She WON
dered if the doctor was right in thinking
all danger of accident past. She was
amazed to think she cared pnou~b TO
fear It, and then she recalled DAYS and
nights Of pity and sympathy, and felt all
ut once that her step-mother was super
human in her goodness. What if
trouble should come! what if this late
happiness of her fathers should be
robbed from him, and by her, what if
this gentle life, with the beauty of it that
now she saw too late, should 90 out,
She was fast working herself into
another fever. She sent for Julia. 81
want you to sit down >" she said, ssand
tell me all mamma said to You about
about Your secret, you know And as
Julia prattled on, the secret became of
vital interest. 'sOh, how blind, how
blind and wicked / have b%een!'' she
cried. elbow happy the little thin"
Will make Us! how we will all love it to-
gcther!' And Maria felt as though her
own life and death hung upon the fate
of that little unborn child.
When Mrs. March came into the
room, having been compelled to keep.
her own some days, Maria took the
hand she laid on her forehead, and
pulled her gently down. GLOW are
You ever going to forgive me mamma?"
she murmured.
The tears burst out of Mrs. March's
eyes. "Call me Melicent, dear she
''Oh, | am so happy" she
said to her husband that night. ssAll
the children love me-and it seems now
Is though had more than my share,"
And ut her prayers there was Il sort of
in the way she repeated that
''ThOu wilt show me the path
life, in Thy presence is f~ullness of
'oy; at Thy right hand there are pleas
IrcS for cvermOre."
1t was some weeks after, that Maria,
sent the children out to play.
'tood grave and solemn by the parlor
window, feeling rs though the universe
tSeIf must hold its breath, when she
summoned by the doctor. ssShe
: sinking he said, every fast. No
no help. She was never strong.
Re quiet, dear child; nobody is to
'Iame." Maria did not hear him. She
vas flying up the staircase, and falling
'eside Mrs. March's bed. ssOh, it is
ny fault. | have done it. IT, she
''Hush, darling" whispered Nell
ent. 81 have been so happy that [
m almost content. Dear" she breath
d, ''take my place. Make him.
her eyes wandered to her husband,
no sat utterly observation-disclosures
DO. L have shown you how. You
mind his grieying for me just at
rst; he-he was mine, Maria, more
nan twenty years ago. And DEAR"
he began again presently, 81 am 60
to give to you my little daughter for
our own. You must be to her what |
have been so glad to be to YOU.
Fill you take her?" And she laid Ma
hand on the little velvet cheek.
VIII you love her?"
"Oh," whispered Maria, aching like
murderer, eff | have killed her
| will die for her!" And She
the little creature in her arms,
ld hid her ashen face upon it. There
Us a long, long silence in the room.
hen Mrs. March turned her sweet,
m eyes once more upon her husband.