Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1877-02-24

ment, lit up Mary Marley's face.
She had not believed him capable of
such deed, and quick as lightning
her conscience smote her for having
misiudged him. There is nothing so
sweet as the compassion of woman,
though exercised towards a rejected,
or a faithless lover.
Many months John Bramwell lay
upon bis lonely and dssolate sick bed,
and during this tilo hs had received
many kind message from Mary, and
'aimost Idai1y v1sftS from her nf0tnSf..'
Mary would fain have accompanied
her mother to the sufferers bedside,
but John forbade it, fearing she
would be shocked at his altered ap-
pearance.
When Bramwell went forth into
the world again, the first visit he
made was to Mrs. Marley's. Since
his accident very few Of his friends
had been admitted to his presence.
He had a natural repugnance to meet
ing them untilit could not be avoided,
for he could not bear that they should
see how fearfully he was changed.
His beautiful features were scarcely
recognizable for the deep scars and
seams left on his face, and his left
ankle being severely injured, de-
stroyed his elastic gait, and gave him
an unsteady limp. As he sat in Mrs:
Marley's drawing-room it required all
his courage to meet his friends who
were coming to welcome him. As he
caught a glimpse of himself in the
mirror, he could not repress a sigh.
How often before. he had sat in that
same seat and had seen himself re-
fscted in the glass-and so different!
Poor Bramwell, it was enough to make
him sigh.
But presently there came q rustic
of silk upon the stairs, and a moment
more Mary and her mother entered.
A heightened hue was in Miss Mar
ley's cheeks as she advanced straight
towards Bramwell with both her hands
extended. There was strange light,
too, in her eyes as she took his hands
and told him that she was SO glad to
see him again.
eyes, we are glad" exclaimed
Mrs. Marley; this is one of the hap
piest days we have known for q long"
They would not hear of Bramwell
making fashionable call. he must
stay end dine. No excuse would
avail, therefore he remained, and
Mrs. Marley, having excused herself
to attend to some household duties,
Bramwsll was left alone with Mary.
Once or:twice he thought he saw tears
in her eyes, and he would have al
most parted with his life for a
tear of affectionate pity from the girl
who sat beside him. There is no
hope for me now," he thought. eff
she Stunned my appeals before I
was disfgured, what would she do at
this moment?"
Mary was looking down at the car
pet in deep thought. Suddenly she
raised her head, and looking square
ly at Bramwell, spoke:
"You did a noble act" she said.
"John, I never gave you credit for
such disintsrestsd courage. Will
you forgive me?"
30 don't mention it," returned
Bramwell. 81 did what any other
man should have done, nothing more.
I assure you I claim no merit for it,
and I really don't wish to think of it,
for it reminds mo what . hidsous
sight I must present; pray let US
drop the subject" and he turned
away his head as if to conceal his
features.
John Bramwell," +" said Miss Mar
10y, moving her chair nearer to his
side, "there was time when you
loved me-you told me so, and l be-
lieved you. Do you love me still p
"Spars me, spare me, Mary" he
exclaimed. "I know too we'll that
the dream I cherished has faded.
In those days I hoped to win you,
but now"-and he laughed bitterly
ct entertain no such hope. I am
not quite so presumptuous a. that. ="
"You have not answered my
question:" resumed Mis-. Marley.
z" I ask you plainly whether you love
me or not ?"
You know I love you, returned
Bramwell, "and heaven help me. l
shall never love another.
Then, John Bramwell, I swear
to you that whenever you ask me to
be you wife I will answer you yes.
Yes, yes, q thousand times, John
Bramwell. You were q handsome
man, but your beauty did not, could
not. win my love. Yet now. as you
stand here before me, starred disfg-
ured, you are dearer to me a hundred
times more than ever you could have
been in the days Of your beauty.
John, I love you with as true an at
fection Us woman ever bore man"
For q moment Bramwsll was 90
overpowered that he could not speak.
HG~x.. ~