Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-12-25

same time she would not object to his
being informed that she had prospered.
So that afternoon with what are
sometimes called mixed motives.
believe she stepped into her little
brougham, dressed in the richest of
black silk to express a long bank
account and to carry basket OF
peaches and white grapes to express
the christian charity part.
She stopped at a careworn looking
house. where a neat. faded old woman
epened the door. and upon Mr. Stretton
being inquired for directed her to the
second floor front. She was lame. or
else would 90 up herself aud her sister
was out who generally tended to the
bell. So Miss Grierson mounted the
steps alone. and tapped at the second
floor 'front.' in moment little Boggs
appeared, with his eyes very red. aud
rather sternly ushered her in, without
wsrd Of greeting.
Edith began graciously, How do you
Mr. Bngg? l came but stopped
short. petrifed. Was that her Scene
lrsm Macbeth hanging over the mantle
niece. As sure as it was the 2lst OF
Nav and that she wLs alive and breath
inr. And what were those smaller
me, either side. Two studies from
81 akespeare with E. G. in the corner'
she slowly surveyed tie walls. They
were covered with her earlier pictures.
Those which she had carried TO Snel's
with her own hands.
We'll. you've found out at last sad
little Bngss watching ner with folded
arms.
What does it mean'' she gasped.
Mean p cried little Bosgs. rrcklesSly'
We'll, he cannot live more than two
hours, and you might as well know all.
II means that ho sacrificed his whole
life
And there in that little Second foor
'front.' that warm May afternoon Edltn
Gr,erson heard The whole story-how
he bought her pictures and praised
then To other people how he neg
leclcd opportunities that she miS"'
nr.6l b, them; how he had helped her
in secret and served her like slave 4;
wasted his life, his time and his talent
10 atone for words that he had sp"K' II
and she hal overheard.
Miss Grirrson just sat down in the
hardest chair in the room, and began 10
cr, with her late hidden i'll her hands,
But | thought he had a spite against
nlr 2 she said atlengtl.
spite calculated little Boss' vii"
unreasonable fertrness. considering
that he had given the impression
himself, He never had spite against
any one in his lie. He made me come
and tell you that because he thought
,su wouldn t feel so mortified then al
what you had heard.
Miss (;rierson lifted her head and
looked at the Scene from Macbeth
well. it is abominably bad she sad
and smiled through her tears.
Little Botgs Was not touched by this
concession one whit; he still continued
to regard her fercely, aud would u"
doubt have said something percin-
sharp. but she turned implorinsly'
Il, he really dyingE
We'll, no. returned little BoSS' !;
but he is in great danger
'Bnsgs!' called ID falnL voice from the
next room.
Mss Gricrson started up. Here's
some liult-perhap she ma, Ike It. she
said. thrnsling the little basket i'll his
hand. III come tomorrow. Let me
i'll can-Go anything So the fruit
brought in triumph was given in whole
/ kindness.
God bless ,ouu said little Bog.'.
relen III. at her tear-stained lace
Ten she hurried from the room. an"
he went Oh tiptoc to Stretton's bed d'
side.
.Wsll. cd fellow, how do you feel
now!
! ,Eh p said Strcuon lausudly.
How do you feel 2 never mind; You
needn't speak, old boy. Who do you
think has been here? Miss Grier>on
.E G.',ou know, old fellow and she
has brought these grapes-aren't they
isll,. old fellow; and she's coming
ta-morrow. Don't YOU think you Will
be able TO see her, old fellow?
I know l shall said Slretton'
slowly.
Tue rest Of my story is soon told.
Edith and her mother came the next
day and the next. IN fact, every day
and though kind friends Hooked
10 the sick bed. as is the wont ot Ens
lishmen. ouly too anxious to do any
thing and everything. they constituted
themselves to the chief mes, AM
after awhile began to understand
aud by aud by, when quaint illti'
wedding took place in the old church Al
Noting Hill. don't think that anv one
was very much surprised.
Slrctlon and his prett, wlIe-'"i
Filth was pretty. though | have new"
mentioned il befpre-hsve never had
disagreement hut once, and that was
when he wanted the Scene IRON
Macbeth hung in the drawiu.room' an'
: she would not have it, because it was
.too ahon,inahly bad.'