The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-02-26

somehow, you always seem nearest to
me when am alone at the organ with
the dark. Tonight could have sworn
your breath was In the shadows, and
that heard you sobblng as you did the
day we parted. suppose II was because
you were SO near me, darling"
Yes" she answered, " 1t was because
was so near you.,
You have not seemed very far away
from me at any time" the pastor con-
tinued, caressing the tangled brown hair,
looking fondly into the girls clear eyes.
"a thousand times would have given
up whatever had to be given up and
gone for you, but that you had forbidden
it, refusing to let me see or even to hear
from you again."
1t was for your own sake, Royal"
know 1t was the grand unselfish-
ness of woman, shielding the selflshness
of man oh Eflie, my darling, what
have you not borne for my sakel"
1t was not for your sake only, Royal
but it was also partly fer the sake of the
good you might do without me; for
now you have position and influence,
and are honored and loved, and all is as
it should be with you. am so glad of
this. Remember always, dear, that /
said was glad because all with you was
as It should be-"
Dear chlldl' said the pastor, ten
derly.
"And don't ever blame me for coming
back to you tonight"
Blame you! bless you!'
Yes''-her voice was growing so
soft and so sanity; she had turned a
little on his breast, and one white arm
had stolen around his neck "and if
should die before you do"
d" Darlingl" interrupted the pastor,
lifting her head suddenly, and staring
into her face, that was quiet and smil-
ing, but very, very white don't talk
so!''
Why, we must all die, Royal" she
said nesting back on the old place
"And if it should be l go first-it
might happen so, you know-I'd like to
be buried close up to the church, so 1
could hear you play of nights ~
Effie, - moaned the minister.
why, did hurt you, dear Royal I?
your face makes me remember mine, as
l have often seen it in the glass at
auntie's. Auntie is dead, you know.
No, she was always good to me, and
when she went away, there was nobody
left, so came to you.'
"And here you shall stay, please
God" but here she interrupted him
again.
g might have lived SO long, and so
well, might have been light in the
land and a comfort to lonely hearts, as
you are, if the world-or the women
who govern it-had given me the chance
to wash away the stain of that early sin,
by repentance and goodly deeds. But
they were so hard upon me women are
so cruel to women, Royal" the words
had dropped family from her lips her
hands had fallen helplessly, and her
face had not vestige of color, nor any
sign of life, when her voice grew silent.
He laid her down quickly, and went
to the door and called: "Emma EN-
ma !" then he went back, and was chat
ing the cold hands, and kissing the cold
brow, when Emma entered the room.
Royal-oh Royal what has happen
ed ~ she said quickly, going to the sofa,
and standing with locked hands, and
frightened eyes, looking from one to the
other.
But the minister did not answer. He
had killed his darling, he was thinking,
and what would the world henceforth
be to him?
Effie opened her eyes and looking
about absently, moved her shoulders,
and settled back, saying:
"Preach, Royal, preach as long as you
live, and tell women-the. world to be
kinder and more forbearing, to such
as II"
Then she was dead.
Close up to the eastern wall of st.
Stephens is head stone upon which
is simply engraved, " Efie," and under
meath, " He giveth his beloved sleep"
And wherever there are hearts to be COM
forted and lives to be lifted into the light
and the gone astray to be led back to
the ways of honor and peace, there you
will find Royal Percy, and his sister,
Emma.