The Morning herald., 1876-09-27

1 S4AAs3b UfS4GsA VAAAes8 S@SD0A
called to him, and with the promise Of q
dollar for speed, sent him over to the no.
Tel, half q mile of, on the beach for car.
riage. He earned his dollar. Before
thought he could have reached the hotel
he was back.
The driver understood the emergency,
and drove as rapidly as possibly, reaching
home before our absence had been discov-
cred.
:, Ellie, blue and cold, was carried to her
room, and worked busily till she was
rubbed, warmed, dosed with hot drinks
and sleep. Then I astonished Mrs. Crof-
ton and the relatives waiting for the mid
night train, by fainting, for the first time
in my life.
They put me to bed then, after pouring
something hot down my throat, and never
walked till morning. Fanny Greysen had
left me asnote, telling me to come to her as
soon as was able, and rose and dressed
hastily to obey the summons. But before
l had completed my toilet duties, the
room floor seemed to rise and strike me in
the face, and could see the ocean dashing
in at the windows.
Worn out by the long nursing and the
excitement Of saving my cousin, was the
Doctors verdict, az tossed in delerium.
For Ellie had told her story, though she
ssid seemed to rise out of the water to
rescue her. She was we'll the next day,
but lay at deaths door for many long
days, coming bkck to life slowly, and oh, so
reluctantly. What did life offer to me?
Ashes!
Yet iu those days of convalescence, l
wondered in the change in Ellie. Wilfred,
having accepted the sacrifice required Of
him, would not embitter her gentle heart
+: a knowledge of its magnitude. He al
tered nothing Of the kind brotherly affec-
ton he had ever given his little cousin,
and she required no more for perfcrt con.
tent.
The old look Of fear was gone from her
soft blue eyes, and the tenderest blush, like
the petal Of wild-rose, bloomed upon her
cheek. Her step became busyant, her
voice gained clear, sweet melody. In
the days when lay, too weak to rise, but
once again conscious, Ellie was my COM
panion, whenever Wilfred was out. She
would nestle her fair face close to mine
upon the pillow, and talk to me softly of
her lover, of his goodness to her, ether
happiness to the misery I succeeded
in hiding.
1 wonder now that I escaped raving
insanity in those days, but I recovered
slowly, till I could venture to write to
Fannie Greyson, and prepare for my jour-
ney to New York. had kept my room
until the last day. Then Ellie insisted
upon my coming down to dinner. was
to leave on an early train, though the
young heiress begged me to stay, at least
till after the quiet wedding, drawing very
near. But was obstinate.
The dinner was very quiet one. Will
fred gave me a grave, tender greeting,
evidently requiring all bis self-con:rol to
keep calm, ,::and 1 thanked him for his kind
congratulations upon my restored health.
But as went to my room, he offered me
his arm. For one moment we were alone
in the hall. He bent over me then, and
his voice trembled as he said:
farewell, Gertrude! The last few
hours prove to me that we may not meet
soon. May God bless you, wherever you
may be-"
''May he send you every happiness" l
said steadily. ut will be my constant
prayer, Wilfred, that you may forget me-
and learn to love Ellie as she loves you.
That wes our parting, fifteen year ago.
1t was ten years before l looked again up
on Wilfred Crofton's face. 1 was Fannie
Greyson's governess for five years, most
kindly treated. Then my fathers brother
left me moderate fortune, and I ceased
to drive grammar into juvenile heads.
Fannie Greyson will never let me speak OF
leaving her, and I have helped make
trousseaus for most of my former pupils. |
Five years ago l visited Crofton Place,
at Ellie's urgent request. Wilfred, al
portly gentleman, gave me cordia! well
come, and I soon saw that my conscience
exacted prayer was granted. The sweet.
faced little matron who welcomed me had
developed in the sunlight of happiness to
a perfect womanhood, and had won the
heart of her husband. Three beautiful
children gave holy strength to the tie,
and could weep softly and be glad at the
home-love never to be mine.
Since then 1 spend Summer-month
every year at Crofton Place old maid
auntie to the babies, as they claim my |
love, true friend to Wilfied and Ellie,
glad to my hearts core that l do not
reign there with a murderer's conscience |
to sap away all happiness.
THE END.