The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1878-11-07

She was at his side instantly, holdlng
a dainty cup to his lips withan authori-
tative hand.
"Please take this" she said, with
coaxing sweetness. "You must sleep
again if you would soon be we'll"
And so he drank and slept again, and
again awoke to marvel at the graces of
his lovely nurse.
He asked no questions. As in dream
he fancied that some siren had given
HIM to drink of the lotus-eater's cup,
aid that he would be content to lie
there in supine helplessness forever.
But the second day when he awoke,
and felt his strength coming back
anew, mis- fancies vanished.
al must request my ministering an
gel to send me home" he thought.
He looked about the little chamber,
but she was not there.
But through the open door he caught
flutter of white garments and SHIN.
mer of dead-gOld hair.
"Dr. Willetts tells me that your gen.
tie nursing has saved his life," mans
low whisper was saying. "My dear
little wife, what treasure you are"
Then followed brief murmured
colloquy, unconsciously telling the lis
tener that grave difficulties OF some
kind had beset their welded love.
"They are troubled for want of
money" he thought, "and | have been
burden to them, but their burden
shall be bag of gold to thein."
Then he called family.
His lovely nurse came quickly to
him, her lovely cheeks flushed like sun
rise on snow.
81 have heard that you saved my
life," he said.
"And what mOre?" she asked con-
fusedly.
"That you are in some sort of
trouble" he smiled. "Will you let me
help you? 1t is my duty, and it is
your right to ask what you will. Any
thing you ask is yours"
"AnythingP" she returned, her
sweet face whitening and anxious.
YES" he answered; | am quite
rich enough to give all you may ask"
"It is not Of money am speaking"
she responded, proudly, but. with that
sort of pride that seems sacrificing
something of itself. 81 think you
have some influence with one who is
making us-my husband and me-very
unhappy. Could you persuade one, do
you think, that it is best to let true love
have its way, and that | would not
make-an unworthy wife?"
Two big tears lay ON the soft cheeks,
and her womanly eyes were full upon
MIN.
can unworthy wife! Why, my dear
child, should consider myself fortu-
nate man if your husband could be my
own son, if had one. All what is
this?"
As he spoke, Albert Guion, agitated
and embarrassed, advanced to the bed
side and drew the pretty pleader with
in his strong arms.
"Then you will not allow mother to
be too unkind to us, Uncle Reginald ?"
(Which do you care more for, her
affection or your birthright?" he
asked, sternly.
81 care for both, uncle" was the an
swer; "but for Susie more than all" ;"
There was long silence then.
Reginald Douglas was battling with
his pride and the olden tenderness that
still made his life so bitter, as well as
with the humorous sense ofhis position.
"We shall see," he said at last /;
"send for your mother, and let me
think alone"
Albert Guion led his Young wife out
of the room, and for long time the
proud man lay watching the sunshine
playing on the wall, and thinking of
the old, dear time, when one sweet
face had been more precious to him
than favor or fortune, and of the agony
and madness that had sickened him
when he hal lost the one love of his
life.
After all it is not stone but flame
under the ashes of my heart" he
mused; but his face was set and hard,
and his stormy eyes were stern.
SO thought the slender, gracefuI
woman who fluttered and trembled as
she came noiselessly into the chamber
with white-satin-shod feet.
"Pardon me-" she said, and her
voice had the ring of silvery bells. 81
was looking for my niece. l was not
aware that"
Then she stopped, and blush flashed
over the unfaded beauty of her counte-
nance.
She had never been false TO him ex-
cept in deeming him untrue, and he,
in his softened mood, spoke to her as a
lover speaks to the one woman of his
lifelong worship.
"You are mine," he said at last,
drawing her closely to him, "you are
mine by the right Of discovery andpos-
session, and shall hold you in my
arms until you promise to be my wife
before the roses are gone"
Perhaps 1t was the changeless love