The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-07-27

shoulder, but felt that my grief was con
aperInR me, aud that if gave way to Il
should be unf for anything; 90 with q part
Ing hug left him, and, mounting Prince,
was soon on my way, along the very road
where the accident 10 Helen had happened
But dared not think OF that now.
Through the chill morning air which,
however, felt revived and braced me, We
sped Aeetly on, and at last reached the
town. was at the office before Il was
opened, and waited full half hour With.
out seeing any one. At last sleepy Official
made his appearance and 70 him gave the
messsge: "Reggy Is dying. Come al
once could think OF no other words,
but knew they would bring her at once.
made inquiries about the trains. II was
u long journey from London aud she could
not arrive before 7 o'clock that evening, 80
there was another long day Of wegry watch.
ing 10 be lived through. When reached
home they told me Reggy was still alive
but very weak. The doctor thought be
could hardly last through the day.
"0h. Heaven give US tine-only q few
hoursw
The day dragged on, don't know how.
Tha chill daylight faded and disappeared,
and darkness again shrouded the scene
The carriage had been dispatched TO the
station, and mamma, Laura and Carrie
the two latter having arrived that day
= were In Reggy's room. He had fallen
into kind of stupor and was very quiet.
Il would list only little longer now, the
doctor said.
!. / had shut myself into an empty room,
and stood a, window that overlooked the
avenue, watching for the approach OF the
carriage. At last the welcome sound OF
wheels fell on my ear, and saw the lamps
CLEAN amongst the trees and heard the We
hicle stop at the door. l was there to open
II, and the next moment was clAsped In
Helen's arms.
For few minutes the blessed relief OF
her presence made me forget everything
else, but then there came back to me what
had determined TO say, and. moving out
Of her encircling arms, l said, as steadily
as could: :.
"Helen, he loved you all the time. 1t
was my fault that be did not tell you so.
such glory Of happiness shOue In her
face as I spoke.
t'sThauk Heaven for It's goodness" |
heard her whisper; and then, coming to
me, she threw her arms around me again.
"This Is no tins for explanations, dear.
You cannot imagine how happy you have
made me. May go 10 him nowS
l silently took her hand and together we
ascended the stairs and went along the
broad corridor. At the door OF his room
"helen," l whispered. "he Is greatly
changed-yon will not know him.
mot know RegsyP she said softly, with
almost smile on her face-"I don't think
that time will ever come"
Then We went into the room. he was
lying Us had left him, bis eyes closed, bis
lRbored breathing the only sound 10 the
hushed silence. All made way for Helen as
she went silently to the bed and stood look.
lug down at him. As long as / live ! shall
never forget her face at that moment-the
expression OF despair and agony, and,
Though al, the deep love shiaingpure and
steadfast.
Speak to him." the doctor said, "he may
know you. But compose yourseif-you
must not be agitated"
She had thrown Of her hat and stood In
her quiet beauty like a guardian angel at
his bedside. At the doctors words she
took his poor, wasted hand In hers, and
bending over him said, In her low, sweet
tones, and without culver In her voice:
"Don't you know me, Reggy? have
come to nurse you"
She repeated the words In louder tone
before he heard her, and then the heavy
eyes opened, and the pale face lighted up
with happy smile.
"My love, you have come at last. |
always knew. you would" In his weakness
he had forgotten there had ever been an
arrangement between them. His great
yearning for her, and his intense happiness
In her presence. were all he was conscious
OF. "Kiss me, darling" he whispered after
q pause; "Ioiten dreamed that you did. but
then woke up and found 1t only dream
No blush rose to her cheeks at his words.
don't think she remembered that any one
else was present as she bent over him and
pressed her lips to his.
n feel sleepy" he said. "sit beside me
and hold my hand, Helen, so that your
face may be the first my eyes rest on when
| awake; and, II wake In heaven, think
It will be there too"
At q sign from the doctor we left her
alone with him and closed the door, A
few hours aitsrward, as was sitting In my
own room, mamma In, sobbiug loud y.
"oh, he Is dead he 10 dead ! cried,
wildly starting up.
"Winnie, thank Heaven" she whispered,
putting her arms round me, 'there is
change for the better. The doctor says be
will live"