The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-05-10
nCnn I see Gertrude ~ he asted.

"Can see Gertrude ?" he asked,
"she is waiting for you. But, Frank you
must be very calm. Any excitement now
may be Immediately fatal"
Great beads of agony started on the mans
brow, but he spoke steadily. al will not
agitate her. -
And never had he proved his love mors
truly than in the calmness Of his greeting,
tho iron will crushing down every express
sion of his deep misery to spare her one
pang. ...-.-.-
She was seated in her armchair, dressed
in white, her golden hair loosely brushed
from the fair angelic face. AS her lover
came in she held out both hands, and was
gathered into his arms in close embrace,
that seemed too strong for even death To un-
clasp. -r....-r
Only loving murmurs broke the silence
for some moments, then Frank, fearing the
effect of excitement, gently put the wasted
form back against the pillows of the chair,
and slid kneeling beside It, his white face
lifted in an agony of loving fear.
ooh, my darlng!" he whispered, "why
have you hidden this from me?"
The low, sweet voice never wavered as
Gertrude answered. 'only because loved
you, Frank. Only for loves sake"
But might have helped your
Dearest, l knew there was no earthly
help for me, early in the spring. 1t was e
blow to bear, Frank was so young Life
looked so fair to me, so doubly sweet when
loved you was rebellious for long
time, but have learned submission"
How can give you up2" he moaned,
caressing the shadowy white hand. n.
81 leave you sweet comforter. Have
you not guessed, Frank, why have left you
with Stolla?'
"Gertrudel You cannot think love any
but you'll"
Darling, mo- I know that every throb
of your heart is true 20 me. But had you
known of this fatal disease, you would have
so tended me, SO pitied me, so loved me, my
own, that to give me up then, would have
been like wrenching life itself from you.
know thatl know that every thought Of
me is loving. And so,dearest, to make part.
ing easier, have drawn away from you
little by little and put Stella in my place."
"She is gentle, loving child, but she can
never ill your place, Gertrude"
''Nor do wish it. Keep one niche in
your memory sacred for me, your spirit wife.
But in the future, when, not forgetting me,
yon are comfortable, remember it is the dear
est wish of my heart that you love Stella.n
Then they talked long and earnestly Of
that future they had hoped to share. Already
Frank knew that Stella would be her cousins
heiress, but for the first time he was told Of
the loving, careful training that had been
given to fit her for her future cares.
"Mrs. Cresson will live here while Stella
rcmoined single" Gertrude said. when
Stella marries. my aunt will go 70 the house
l have willed to her with sufficient in
come for life."
"You think Of every onep'
"God has been merciful in giving me a
long time to prepare for this hour" was tho
grave reply. "Now, Frank, you will find
Stella and send her to me2 When have
seen her come to me again. Death will
lose halfts terrors in your arms"
Prepared by Mrs. Cresson, Stella was
calm too, though her white face and swollen
eyes told at what cost. Very tenderly Ger
trude babe her farewell, solemnly bidding
her be faithful steward over the great pos
sessions left her Then, as she folded her
close, pressing tender kisses upon the sweet,
quiverng lips, she whispered low, ''stella,
one charge above all leave you. Comfort
Frank /"
She gently dismissed her then, and bid-
ding farewell to Mrs. Cresson, turned TO
Frank. In his loving arms, talking lows
the breath Of life grew fainter, fainter, till,
at the peaceful sundering of earth's ties, he,
watching closely, scarcely could have told
. when the end came. Only at tho last tho
blue eyes dlated with quick rapture,
closed wearlly, and the golden-crowned
head dropped heavily.
Frank Wraymore went abroad, but two
years OTTER Gertrude died he came once more
to Wentworth Place. A beautiful woman,
one worthy't to fill the place of the noble,
self-sacr6sing love he had lost, greeted him..
And when he had been few months at
home Gertrude's dying wish was fulfilled,
and Stella knew that she and she only
could comfort Frank.
| And in all the noble inheritance Stella
holds there is no spot more carefully tended
than the quiet inclosure from which rises a
tall shaft, bearing the one word-Gertrude.