The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-02-06


said /; "but, E,sie, l fear you are doing
wrong"
He put his arm around her and drew
her close to his heart. - ,.
at is no harm to kiss me once, E,sie,
be said seven he could not envy me
that" '-. ''
He bent his head and their lips met in
one long, last farewell kiss.
. May God bless you, my darling" he
said, sand always remember that l would
have given life itself to have made you
happy" and then lie was gone, leaving
her; white and still, but fearless
| Lights flashed from the windows OF
one Of the statelest houses on one of
Boston's most fashionable avenues.
1t was Essie Danton's birth day, and
her mother was giving party in honor
Sdf i. ls' '.s, 4
Essie looks brilliantly beautiful This
evening, leaning on the arm OF her had
some lover.
Her cheeks are flushed, her blue eyes
shining, her red lips smiling sweetly !;
but any one, looking close into her face,
would have seen that her smile was
forced-that the flush on her cheeks was
caused by excitement
Yes, there was great change In Essie
Danton from the day she had given her
promise to Victor Dana.
Her face had grown pale and thin :;
there was a wealy look in her eyes, and
sorrowtul droop with her sweet, red
lips. s.
Yes, she was suffering, though she
made every effort to hide it from careless
eyes ~.
She was sweeping past one Of the
doors, her rose-crowned head bent low,
listening to something Victor Dana was
saying, when Suddenly the words, "a
telegram fell on her ears.
She saw her mother pass out of the
room, and quick SIS thought she drew
her hand from Victor's arm and follow.
ed her
AS Essie came forward her mother
slipped the telegram into her pocket
Mother! Mother!' she cried, "what
is it2 Where is it from? Please, 10th
er, let me see it"
you will see it in the morning. dear
"Marly2 Is it Martyr Mother, does
anything all him !? Mother, mother, give
it to me- l must know the truth"
Victor Dana hail followed Essie, and
he came forward now.
"Mother, will you give it to me? /
know it is about him."
Her face was white as death as she
clung to her mothers arm.
'Yon had better let her know the
worst" Victor said; "this excitement is
worse than any news could be-,
Without q word Mrs. Danton handed
her the paper, and pale and fearless Es
sic read: 1--
'Marty is dying. Brain fever He is
calling piteously for Essie. There is no
hope y ~ ''''.
aMassr, I'wilfg 10 him; / must 60.
to him. an6 at once"
"Are you mad, Essie ?" her mother
said, glancing at Victor Dana.
81 understand you," Essie said, and
then she passed over to Victor's side.
Victor, wronged you when prom
ised to be your wife, for l did not love
you See! the only man l could ever
love is dying" taI
She slipped the diamond ring off her
finger and laid it in his hand
"You forgive me the wrong would
have dono ycu," she said.
SIT is better to know the truth now
than years after this. l have loved you
very dearly, Essie, but / would rather
give you up than we'd you, knowing your
heart was not mine"
When gray morning broke Essie knelt
beside the couch Of Martin Holmesby.
What cared she for dangerY Was not
her darling dyingP
"Essie! Essie! come to me! Oh, my
darling, life without you is worse than
death"
"Marty, am here" she said, pressing
her lips to his feyered brow. -
"Essie," he cried again, ano one will
ever love you as,I have loved you. Will
you not come TO me, my own, my love ?
She laid her cold hand on his fore
head. 't' " .4
81 am here, Marty, beside you. Do
you not know me?" - l''4
|. A CLEAN of reason shone in his eyes
i+tsI IEeoio nv, Eoo;o 1911 si1f ts'
"fours forever she answered softly,
and then he fell asleep, holding her hand
in his. He o52H A'i" 9a2
"Sp.re him to me, oh. Father in ileav-
en- was .he cry OF Essie's heart as she
knelt beside him, while he slept. a y
In His mercy God heard her prayer,
and Martin Holmesby was given back
from the brink of the grave.
When he awoke from his deep sleep
reason shore in his eyes. The crisis
was past. - ~ lii. ''9i 81
"He will live.' said the doctor, and a
prayer of :hankfulness went up from
Essie's heart 2@a
Six months later Essie and Martin
were married in the old church they had
attended together in their childhood.
"My darling the young husband said
as he pressed kiss on her dainty lip.
"are you sure you will never regret all
you have given up2 So
"Never, she replied, smiling; "my
world will be my husband love- and Of
course he kissed her again.
7,,. Obdurate COnyicts. i...t atg
AT the'request OF the Chaplain Of the