The crisis., 1878-01-03

He will never annoy any one. If
ever death was written in face, l saw
it in his face"
1T is none of your bushes"
1T is my business. You may scold
as you like. If it is unmaidenly to
stretch out hand to a dying man for
five minutes, then 1 shall never meet
your ideas of decorum."
And as if to prove her words, the
speaker arose from her seat and leaned
over mine.
My head was lower than the back of
the seat, resting on the window sill, and
my feet stretched out to the next space.
| kept my eyes closed, and l knew the
handkerchief upon my forehead was
moistened again with cologne water
lust as the train stopped. The con-
ductor shouted, Elizabeth" and the
ladies behind me gathered ptheir traps
and departed.
| could only see linen busters and
brown wells as they walked down be-
tween the car seats, but l kept my seat.
Elizabeth had been my own destina-
ton, for Tom had always cordial well
come for me, and | longed to die where
there was some friendly face in sight
But kept on to New York, presenting
myself to my old landlady, who had
some difficulty in believing in my iden-
tity, but being convinced nursed me as
il | had been her own son.
Tom came to see me when my law
yer informed him of my return, but the
ladies had gone to the Delaware Water
Gap for the summer, and l was well
pleased. Much of my faith in Amy's
friendship had evaporated, and l want
ed my shaved head to be covered-my
emaciated face to fill out before Nettie
saw me again.
had had my taste for salt water am
ply gratitied, and rebelled when the
doctor ordered sea voyage to perfect
my recovery. But he had his way, and
again it was summer before / returned
home, and accepted Toms invitation tc
his cottage at Long Branch.
"We have concluded to takea cottage
t at Long Branch this summer, he wrote
"and want You to JOIN us, if possible, il
July"
{ How can I describe Nettie -Netti
? Raymond still-after three years of sep
| aration? Beautiful as ever, animated
accomplished, she was fascinating to all
t But the imp of mischief had not quit
: deserted her, though she was more dig
n nifed. She was not openly saucy, q
she had been, but could put stings int
t quiet, apparent innocent speeches, an
n ! often WINGED under her satire.
o For | did love her then. Every hou
added to my admiration-my affectio
y yet there was never in her name
e one atom of encouragement on which
e hang hope.
is Although I had recovered my healt
and strength almost entirely, was sti
e subject to attacks ofheadache that pro
a trated me for hours-conscious of notl
ing but terrible pain.
If The first one had at Long Bronc
j. came on about three weeks after my arri
al, when had walked too far in the SUI
Tom was alone when / staggered I'M
the house, nearly blind, and he put n
down upon wide lounge in low
III room, darkened the windows, and p1
:" cold water on my head.
10 Amy will be here presently"
le said; "shc has gone to ride with Netti
n, LII keep Nettie ont of your way, o
I'd fellow. She must be rather torture
re a sick man. Vivacity is all very well
H. its place, but | had as lief shut up
IN swarm of mosquitoes in sick room
h. Nettie."
made no reply, and lay mute al
ut miserable until the carriage drove IL
nv Ill? Walter ill?" / heard Amy say
IS a low voice, $50 in, Nettie and see
nv he wants anything"
nd "You can attend to him, said Nett
TO- coldly. 81 have my dress to arran
| for the hop"
in "Nettie!" this in provoked whisp,
re you are not going to let half milli
of money"
a. Hush! !" was the sharp reply. q wi
,as he was a beggar!"
Int He would be very much obliged
A YOU"
I But Amy little dreemed she spo
Sc the truth. Nettie wished 1 was bt
nd gar! Why? Could it be my wea'
Ter was the barrier between lis, that as
,xt beggar might have won her love?
he My heart throbbed heavily as Al
opened the door of the room where
he lay and came softly to my side.
yn, Walter" she whispered, and til
TO stole out again.
,ay "He is asleep" she said, and l hes
not her go up stairs. But presently tn
IRE was a soft rustic in the room, and
+he of sunshine that had crept to crl
nee in the shutter was shut out. A perfu
YER lowered about me, though the handk
chief was not laid upon my head, {
all then little choking whisper came to
,rs ears.
life "Poor fellow! I can never forget
ne saved my life once"
ed. The soft rustic came nearer and \
of tie was looking down at me, whel
on opened my eyes. She was startled,
was only showed it by faint flush on G
of fair cheek. Her voice was quiet as
mn said;
lin "Can 1 do anything for you?"
ori wont you please fan me?" l s.
:ch. after trying to think of an occupat
cts, that would keep her near me.
new she famed in hasty way and
! n said
n n "You have not improved since
summer. You made fan initiate
lav gentlest summer breezes then."
to Il! [ never famed you before!"
o | "Once before" said, "you fan
so me, bathedmy forehead, aud pillowed
,ad, head ON this!" and / drew ont from
han breast fimsy handkerchief mar
Annette Raymond"
he'd But Nettie was only bewildered.
me gentle act ofpityand charity I had cl
nv ished as memory almost sacred she
o1moct fnrnotton