The Van Buren press., 1875-08-24

III that house. l can teet myself weak
ening every day in IT, and know that |
was in perfect health when | went there.
But why not tell Evelyn this p
Il have, agLin and again; but depres.
scd by the death of all near and dear to
her, she is convinced that consumption
has fastened its grasp upon her as upon
them.
1T is useless for me to argue. am
young, and she has whole corps of old
women croakiug to her every day.
Mr. Dalton and Bcssie's sweet voice
became sadly earnest, If you let her see
that you are shocked at the change in her
and she is fcarfully changed-if you
encourage her depression you will kill
her When her health began to fail eve
rybody in the village reminded her ofthe
fact that she belonged to doomed fami
| ". You viii try to take her away
will you not ty--that is the only way to
save her life
Most certainly; and l can never
thank yon enough for coming to meet
me, replied Mr. Dalton,
Let me hurry home, now. and you
follow me, soon. think we had better
not go together
Though she walked quickly, Bessie
found Evelyn already excited at Louis
nom appearance
Il heard the whistle more than half an
hour ago, Bessie, she said Can any
thing have happened to Louis ?
I'VE will not think SO, yet Bessie
said For my own part, | am glad Of a
spare minute or two to devote to Mar
tha'
you will not have it; hear a step.
He has come
The palor of death was on Evelyn's
face, as she rose to her feet to greet Lou
is, and he could scarcely suppress cry
of horror, as the ghastly face rose before
him. But, with quick remembrance of
Bessies words, he spoke checrfully his
first words to Evelyn,
Evelyn darling. How glad l am to
come to you again
| The white lips quivercd painfully.
1t is new life to sec you, Louis, If only
to say farewell
Farewell! You don't get rid of me,
again, he said, his heart sinking as he
watched the quick breathing and trenb
ling agitation Of his bstrothe |. Il hope
you are already to be married.
Louis. You cannot wish to marry
nc, now
'Not wish to marry you, now! / have
wished it for seven long years, Evelyn.
] But am So changed
sYou look as il you had been sick, he
eoi1 npt I tk-r al, koa
are my Evelyn's heavy cnrls, her dear
blue eyes. her little mouth made for kiss.
;~S S'--
Then Bessie stole away, and aston
ished Martha by an inpromptu fnndan-
20 in the kitchen. with an accompani
mcnt Of She is better already in an
energetic tone, that was suspiciously
near tears.
Now, Martha she said, yor are not
to refer to Miss Evelyn's sickness in any
way. Remember
It's flying in the face of Providence
for you to talk as you do croaked Mar
tha, dismaly minded maid Of fifty
Amt she going the way OF all the rest !?
She was going as fast rs you could
drive her But have come to enter my
protest, and Mr., Dalton's, to save her
life If you say one word, now, about
her being sick. I'll lock you up in the
garrett
Tea is all ready, said Maraha, with a
martyr-like sigh.
Ring the bell, then, said Bcssi step
ping into the dining-room You have
set no place at the tea table tor Miss
Evelyn
'It'll be certain death to her to come
out OF her room, Miss Bessie.
She is coming
Plate, cup and saucer were rapidly put
upon the table; and leaving Martha to
bring in the dish, Bessie fitted up stairs,
again. Louis was just protesting that
he did not care for tea.
But you will help Evelyn to the ta-
BILE P said Bessie.
Evelyn! viii Evelyn come DOWN
Certainly. Come, Evelyn!
Don't you think it will hurt meT
'Nota bit. told you Louis coming
ing would make you well. There is no
doctor tke a happy heart
So Evelyn, leaning upon Louis arm,
went down stairs for the first time in
three months Bessie had made the room
perfect bower, with cut flowers on the
table, snowy curtains at the windows,
and fresh brightness over everything.
Martha had groaned AS one funeral token
after another was carried tender.
y to the attic, from parlor and dining
room 1t seemed to the old servant a
positive sacrifice to remove the many
memcatoes of the terrible fatality that
had stricken the house, but Bessie was
resolute.
SO Evelyn, with Louis on one side, all
eager, lover like attention, Bessie on the
other, all bright animation, flowers, pref
ty table deoorations,and dainty fare temp
ting her, ate broiled chicken and found
herself actually laughing over her cous
in's witticisms.
Tea over, the parlor was visited The
long closed shutters were open, the room
as bright as hands could make it. and
Eyeiyn's piano wide open. She whisper
ed to Bessie:
'Ch, darling, it has not been touched
for two years Not since Willie died.
But, remoH.ber, Louis has come, said
Bessie quickly.
1t was still early, when tue peremptory
little cousin ordered Evelyn up stairs,
again, and. after bidding Louis good
night, watched the invalid till she was