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

Who that has known can ever forget the
wearing suspense Of sick chamber-the
hushed voices, mualed footsteps and anx.
ious faces that peryade the house; the
breathless hanging on the doctor 8 verdict,
whether 1t is to be life or death: All, let
ali who have not known It pray that they
never may-and 10 them may be spared
the agony OF watching the approach OF that
dread enemy, the gaunt rider Of the pale
horse, who, despite all our efforts, stalks
grizzly amongst us, laying his relentless
hand on our hearts idols. and, needless OF
our cries, our tears, our prayers, snatches
them from our despairing grasp.
That terrible reaper whose name Is Death
was coming very near 10 us. Reggy was
sinking, sinking slowly and silently, but
surely. There was very little hope now
only grave shake OF the head from the
doctor In answer to our agonized questions
and the doubtful reply,-
1--WE mu,t not despair; while there Is life
there Is hope, and he Is In Heavens
hands,"
He had few intervals OF consciousness,
and in the long hours when he lay deliri.
Gus Helen's name was constantly on his
lips; he called to her in wild entreaty 10
come to him, II only for moment, Just TO
lay her cool hand on his brow, that was
burning so. At another time he reproach'
ed her Tor deceivig him, and then told her
how fondly he loved her, always ending
with the heart.thrilling cry
"Helen, Helen, why don't you come to
meT
And now knew that my work had fall.
ed-that the love had hoped TO stamp out
with my cruel words was burning Us fierce.
" as eyer-that even II he never saw her
face again her memory was more to him
than all the world beside. The burden Of
guilt weighing 50 heavily on my soul seem.
ed almost more than could bearbut felt
that my miserable jealousy was being just
y punished -, a, ,.. -,
day. ~ think, II possible, she had better
be sent for; there Is chance that he might
be quieter II she was here with him I"
al know where she is," ! said eagerly.
~ will bring her."
"rhat Is right" he said, looking pleased;
"aud don't lose time"
All, no, would not lose timel A fery
energy seemed 10 have taken possession Of
mo. There was q chance that | might make
amends for the evil had doue-that the
awful fear that was haunting me, OF his
diving before could confess 10 him how
had wronged him might be removed. II
Heaven would only graft me time! For the
first time for many weary days wild pray.
or went up from my heart that our darling
one might be spared for yet short space.
TWAS night when this conversation took
place, and the telegraph office 10 the near.
est town, six miles aEay, would not be
opened till morning. knew Helen's ad.
dress In London, and was determined no
one should send the message but myself |
/ was 50 wildly impatient that l could not
sit quiet. How long the hours were creep.
ing by? Would the night ever endI Would
the message be In timer And then l sud
denly thought, would Helen be at the ad.
dress, had not heard OF her return from
abroad. II seemed N II I could not live
through the terrible suspense.
Il had been In Reggy's room early In the
evening, and my heart had stood still when
noted the raySges suffering aud weakness
had made in his appearance. The drawn,
white face, made whittier BY the heavy dark
cnrls that clustered around it-those curls
| hGd so often passed my fingers through
and admired so much-the closed, sunken
eyes and painfully drawn breath, all seem.
cd to tell me that should be ton late. 1
could not bear the sight, and hurylng out
Of the room spent the night pacing the
drAwing-room, only stopping now and then
TO strain my eyes for the drst signs oil
dawn. lIs
At last, after what had seemed alitetime
to me, few streakS Of light began TO up.
pear, making the dreary landscape visible
[ rushed upstairs and put on my habit aud
then hurried down to the stables. No one
was aStir outside, yet, that made no differ.
ence to me. had often SRddled Prince
myself, and, though not for long time, |
knew had not forgotten how.
Opening the door softly passed into his
stall. The poor animal knew my voice,
and Weighed with delight at seeing me
again The getting Of the saddle out Of
tie hames+room and fastening the girthS
took but very short time, and In q few
minutes all was ready. Then fingered q
few moments while1 went into the box
where Reggy's horse was. The animal
seemed TO know something was wrong and
turned his large, soft eyes with mutelJ.
patieGt look that went 70 my heart. :.
"Dear old Laneelot-dear old fellow !"
/ said, leaning my head against his glossy
neck and letting the choking Sobs burst
forth. "You don't know that be Is dying
that he will never mount you again. You
will never have 20 kind q mAItel. Oh,
what shall we do without himw
BE rubbed his head gently against my