The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-02-23

months since he had called at my home,
and l noticed how pale and thin he had
grown during that time. He spoke no
word of greeting, but came forward and
took my hands in his before he spoke.
Then he said:
"tMadge, it seems an eternity since 1
saw you, and tonight l have come to
tell you that / cannot live without you.
1 love you, Madge, as few women are
ever loved. Let us forget that there is
anything to hinder our union and be
happy, for, Madge, l know you love me.
Look up, darling, and say you will be
my wife,
"Herbert, never loved Ralph Day
ton better than at that moment, but
loved Ina Chase better than him.
Snatching my hands from him 1 re-
piled:
"'Dr. Dayton, I scarcely need men
tion the fact that you are asking your
betrothed brides dearest friend to be
your wife; but cannot believe that
you expect me to consent. Leave me
now, but allow me to say that l thought
you a nObler and better man than you
have proved yourself to be-
IA few words more, Madge, and I
will co. he said 4 knew you would
refuse me, and I respect you for doing
so, but l could not help speaking my
love tonight. When L came here [
imagined that I loved Ina Chase, as l
would love the woman l would wish to
marry. But ] find that the love I bear
her is such as l would give dear sister,
if God had given me one to care for. I
will tell her all, and then, if she will
marry me, will try to make her a good
husband, but I must always love you.
Now, goodbye, and God help us bothr'
"Surely Ralph, Ina, and myself all
needed Gods help!
1.-Two days after this, a boy from the
telegraph Office brought a message for
me. 1t ran thus:
PROVIDENCE, R. L, Oct. 2S, 1S-
To MHdge Lennor:-My daughter
was severely injured by falling from a
carriage last night. Come at once, if
you would see her alive.
Is Chester st. JOHN CHASE
'I hardly know how I prepared for
my journey. My heart seemed burst
ing, but did not shed a tear. AS the
train moved away from the depot, (for
l started two hours from the time the
telegram arrived), saw DIR. Dayton en-
ter the car next to the one in which ]
was seated. l did not see him again
until we reached Providence, where a
carriage was waiting to receive US, and
neither felt inclined to converse as we
were driven rapidly to Mr.. Chase's resi-
!. dence. When 1 waited for him to entel
: Ina's room before me, he said: No, &c
in now. You are more worthy to enteI
" the presence of the dying than 1 am
"With heart that seemed turning tC
7 stone, drew near the bed in which Ina
: lay. She tried to raise herself up, but
fell back. AS l bent over and kissed
her again and again, she said:
7 Darling Madge, [ little dreamed
! when we talked so fondly of our next
!, meeting, that it would be like this; but
: we will try to be content
! "Then came the blessed reasoning,
saving tears, and, for many minutes,
. wept aloud. Later, Ina said:
q 'Madge, dear, Ralph has written mC
all, and l do hope that after I am gone
you will love him well enough to marry
him, for L love you both very dearly
q and want you to be happy. His lettel
!, came the day l was hurt, and | was go
!, ing to write him and you to-day. HI
is noble fellow, Madge, and did moi
+ mean to be untrue to me. But you see
= dear, he could not help loving you bet
!. ter than me-
"'Dear, dear, Ina,' I replied. Il love
4 Ralph Dayton, but 1 love you much
= better, and l will not forget your wish
! if he ever again asks me to be his wife.
- "SOon after that, left the room anC
4 DIR. Dayton went in.
"Just at sunset she died. She knew
US all to the very last, and died asking
: God to bless US. It would be imposs bl
! to tell you how wretchedly I felt wheI
! I realized that Ina was really dead. II
> my anguish l cried out: Surely no sor
row is like unto my SORROW and wa
: quite ready to curse God and die.
: That night, when the household was al
: still, I arose, and stole softly into tn
:, room where the body of my dear on
lay shrouded for the grave, and turning
- back the cloth that hid the face, kisset
. the cold lips many times, and then
= kneeling by the still form, prayed tha
l too might die. Suddenly, as l knel
= there in the moonlight, a happier feel
u ing took possession of me, and a voic
seemed to whisper to my troubled spirit
> Peace be still.' AS [ went back to N
:, lonely room felt that was not alone
e but that the spirit of my lost friend wa
II with me. Two days later, they laid N,
II darling down to sleep beneath the au
. tumn leaves.
81 stayed few days with the stricke
, parents, and then returned home, feel
= ing that henceforth heaven must seen
- very near to me. Ralph Dayton wen
y abroad for year. Then he came bacI
o to me, and in three months we wer
:, married.
= "There were tears in Herbert Day
- toms fine eyes as be said:
= "T am convinced, Grandma, and
= thank you for the story"