Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-07-20

It goes to Margaret's heart to see the
wistful look with which he waits for her
answer, striving to put away from his
thoughts the awful fear which she knows
has already overshadowed his life.
81 think she was always nervous" she
answers, wishing that she dared say
something to comfort him, if she could
do so without lie. Butt of course, now
that she is happy, there is nothing to be
anxious about in that"
She does not offer to visit the bride
herself, knowing what the sight of her
must recall to Leah's mind, and not in
truth believing that her presence would
be welcome, whatever Mrs. Ashton might
say to her husband of her wish to see
Margaret Fenwick again.
Tell her how glad shall be, If she
likes to come" she says earnestly when
Arthur Ashton takes her hand in his
again to say goodby.
Yes, will tell her." he answers, but
all the unreal cheerfulness has died out
from his voice. 1T will do her good to
have friend like you-some woman to
whom she can talk"
Margaret does not answer, for the
tears are filling her eyes; but it needs no
words to tell Arthur Ashton that the
heart he has thrown awayi is large enough
for what he asks of it.
The months go by, but Leah Ashton
still only talks of coming to see the girl
whose place in life she has taken from
her; so that Christmas comes around
again without Margaret having seen her
rival since the evening on which Leah
came out of the conservatory with the
spray of madenhair in her hand There
is reason why Mrs. Ashton should stay
in her own house now, and Margaret is
not surprised to see in the paper one day
that Arthur Ashton has another cause
for being Every happy" She has al
most persuaded herself that he may be
so by this time, and writes to tell him of
her hope, with her dear love to his wife,
She did not think that such letter re.
quircd immediate acknowledgement, and
opens his reply little anxiously, hear.
ing that it has been brought by special
messenger:
Come, if you can, at once she is
asking for you. God have mercy upon
mel A. A."
He is waiting for her at the door as she
drives up, and even in the gas-light she
can see upon his brow an awful dread
that his prayer will not be heard
You are not afraid to see herr"
Margaret puts her hands in his by way
of reply, and her very touch seems to
give him courage.
"She is not quite herself, you know
not sensible, l mean-but the doctors
say that is common. And your name
has been on her lips all day. She will
be calmer when she sees you, will she
notP"
Yes, yes" says Margaret, choking
back her tears. Only take me to her
at once"
She kneels by the bedside, disregard
ing the presence Of the doctor and nurse,
and her soft arm steals lovingly round
Leah's neck, as in the old days.
Dear Leah, l am hear" she whispers.
The heavy lids open, and the dark mys-
terry of the wonderful eyes, blurred and
sCOrched with the lurid fire that Marga.
ret remembers so well, is turned full up
on her.
Don't go away" Leah whispers in a
hoarse, exhausted voice. "They are
shutting me up alone again"
Her husband is standing at the foot of
the bed with horror stricken, wondering
face, but she has no eyes for him.
:" 1t was so dark and miserable, Marga-
ret, but l will be quiet if you stay Make
them let you stay, do you hear?"
The weak voice rises almost to a
scream, and Margaret tries in vain to
soothe it.
Eyes. dear Leah, l am Margaret. Dear
Leah, you know that / love you! Oh,
my poor darling, you know that l love
you"
The surgeon, who is standing opposite
Margaret, shakes his head solemnly as
she raises her eyes to meet his, and the
shadow of death begins already to steal
over the room. Even the lips are chill
and pallid as Margaret touches them
with her own, and the feverish grasp of
the poor weak hand dies into impotence
in her warm fingers. The dark, tangled
hair falls over the shapely brow and
thick, curved eyebrows just as it used to
do, and Margaret does not know until
she is told that 1t is yelling the face of
the dead. And there is no need for her
to pity Leah Ashton any more Temple
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