The Van Buren press., 1879-01-14
Vol. l6.---No. 80.

you remember when we we're chill.
dren 2"
Good Heaven" Mrs. Armain ex-
claimed wildly, "do you wish to drive
me mad7 must forget ever was
child, ever anything but lost woman
lost, lost for this world aud the next!
Don't touch my hanl--don't come near
me, Clare. sold myself once for wealth.
and found my golden seryitude was mis-.
cry now l sell myself again, body aud
soul, honor and fair name, for little
happiness. Loose my hands Clare.
Get up
"No, no Maggie, tell me what I think
isn't true. Tell me I'm false to all our
old love, TO the love bear you now, to
think you could sin so deeply. Maggie,
Maggie, tell me I'm wrong, for Heavens
sake, for your angel-molher's for the sake
OF our happy childhood-tell me it isn't
true"
For one awful moment there was 81
lence in the room where Clare knelt at
her cousins feet. Then Margaret Ar
main unclasped her hands that clunS to
her, and answered.
alt is. Get up and go homo. You
cannot. shall not save me. You will new
or see me again--nevsr
Clare did not rise or speak-a dumb
chill Of horror had crept over her her
face grew cold and rigid, and with low
cry she fell forward upon the floor uncon-
scious.
Mrs. Armain lifted her up aud laid her
upon q couch. As she bent over her in
terror, the curtains parted and Captain
Morrison entered. A hot flush lose TO
his face as he recognized Clare, Even
her white still face had the power to 70.
proach.
"Is she III? Has she tainted p
Margaret turned to him. For mo-
ment she could not speak and never, In
all the horrors OF India, had Jack seen
such agony as was written or her face.
"Shc is dead" think, she said In q
strange hard tone. % have murdered
her by telling her the truth. Itneeded
only this"
For one moment Captain Morrison
bent over Glare.
Ring for help! Twill 60 for doctor
and the Dean.
He had left the house the next instant.
on his way to Dodipgton.
=
1t was dusk before Jack returned to the
Court. In the hall he met the doctor, who
answered sally the young mans ques
ing look,
"She is dying, Captain Morrison she
has broken q blood.vessel."
"Dying, doctora"
The answer Was interrupted. Mrs. Ar
main came down the wide stairs to Jacks
side.
"she wants you. Doctor, you are not
goingf"
:" / shall stay here tonight, Mrs, Ar
She bowed and turned 70 JACK.
"Come." He followed her up the
stairs, but at the library door she stop
ped. IL had nearly forgo!ten--I must
telegraph to Mr.. Armain"
Jack watched her while she wrote
the few words and gave directions to
the servant, in wonder at her calm
ness.
"You must be very quiet" she said.
a. she joined him again and led the way.
once more she stopped at the deor Of the
chamber of death. A low voice reached
them where they stood, and both held
their heads reverently. The Dean was
praying with his daughter.
Something in the old mans voice
TOUCHED Jack Morrison more than all,
and in an agony OF remorse and sorrow
| he knelt down by the chamber door and
wept. Margaret looked at him wonder
ingly, but she did not speak. There was
movement iu the room. Margaret
heard Clare's voisc, and she opened the
door and entered. The Dean silently
clasped Jacks hand, and led him to tho
bedside.
"She wants to bid you goodbye the
old man faltered.
Lam dying. Jack. Oh, Jack"
She stopped: her eyes spoke the rest
all her fear and pain and sorrowfnl shame.
He bent over hsr and kissed her.
You have saved US, Clare; you have
lost your life TO save us"
al am glad" she said family, She
closed her eyes for little, and then she
smoke again. "Jack. won't you try to
be good man9 We were always like
brother and sister. Won't you try to
meet me in heaven 7"
al WILL swear it, Clare! Heaven
helping me, will"
Margaret was standing by the bedside.
At these words she spoke.
~ cannot promise to be = good wo.
man hut promise. dear. to be atrue and
faithful wife"
There wers few words AFTER this,
Through the evening the three watched
in the silent room where death already
cast its shadow. Towards midnight an
other came to join them--Mr. Armain.
Clare know him and called him BY his old
familiar name.
"You will be kind to Margaret.
Bob I"
Those was her last words. As another
day was born she died quietly, without q
struggle,
Directly after the funeral, Captain Nor
rison left Dodington for India. tie
had thrown up his commission. and &C.
cepted an appointment in the City Of
Palaces.
Many years have passed since then
but Jack has not revisited his native
land. He is a rich old bachelor, and
..-.... .....,a a;ls , rn hald in nndinutpn "a