Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-05-20
and for my sake, as well as thine, they
will be good to thee

and for my sake, as we'll as thine, they
will be good to thee
"Oh, Antoine, life without thee will be
nothing Do not bid me seek it; let me
lay it down with thine" she implored
him passionately.
Il want to tell thee, Marie, all the
good resolutions l was forming as l hur-
ried toward thee, that thou mayest have
none but kind remembrances OF me in the
years to come
Then he told her all, and told her tim
idly and falteringlv of the hope that had
come to him when he found that he must
die-of the almost assured belief which
her love had taught him to dare to hope
for through the infinite love OF God.
Sobbing wildly, she listened to him and
comforted him. Then at last they were
silent. she chatting and caressing his cold
hands with her almost icy ones, and he
watching her with happy, patient eyes.
The breathless night grew colder and
colder. and the far-otf stars glittered
through the trees. AT length Antoine's
arm lessened its pressure he leaned
heavily against Marie and slept.
With a low. piercing cry which could
not reach his dulled brain, the moon.
stars. and trees whirled in a labyrinth
around her, as she tainted from the con-
seriousness OF her woe.
The snow was melting from every sun
nv slope when Marie looked at the world
again. The scene upon which she opened
her eyes was so unfamiliar to her, that
she thought it all dream, until IA face
bent over her which seemed to belong to
the winter day. long, long ago, when she
had gone in search of Antoine. She
looked into the coarse but kindly face,
and the past came back to her With
groan, she turned away.
..Do not tell me; know ii all. An
tome is dead
The girl lean ed over her and said soft
ly:
Joy is some times harder to bear than
sorrow. Canst thou bear ii -
Marie turned quickly back.
Tell me. Tell me-
IL will let another tell thee. and she
hurried away.
Marie tell back in silent happiness, and
nj moment more Antoine clasped her in
his arms. Presently he told her how death
had been frightened away. After Marie
had left the camp that winter day. seeing
how cold the night was growing, and
fearing that she could not make her way
alone, two of the settlers had followed
her, and soon after the dull slumber had
wrapped Antoine in its fatal sweetness,
and while Marie was insensble TO every
thing, the hunters found them. 1t was
short work for their strong arms to re-
lease the prisoner, and before daybreak,
rescued and rescuers were safe in camp.
Antone's recovery was far more speedy
than Marie's. and for many weeks he
feared that it was he would have TO 90
through the world alone. But now the
two who had parted in death met in life,
and life-whose other name is happiness
-beamed with loving welcome for them.
They watched the coming spring. and
when it burst upon them in its northern
swiftness and beauty, they started out
under the tender whispering leaves, and
wandered toward the great river.
One evening in early midsummer, as
the mother stood at the cottage door lock-
| ing toward the forest, she saw two forms
emerge from its shade and cross the
meadow. She watched them as they
came along the path toward the cottage;
then she staggered down the little
garden walk as one of the wanderers.
seeing her, bounded to her with out
stretched arms. and Marie and her moth
er were together once more.-Scri6ner.
CONTINUED from first pase.l