St. Landry democrat., 1879-08-02

have started for another clergyman,
when the maid, entreating me to forgive
her, stated that in the confusion she
must have made mistake in the date,
for the clergyman's reply came the 9th,
not the 9Th. She showed ne the letter
and I believed her. We yet waited,
The night came, and SO did the clergy
man.
"We had already taken our places be-
fore him when the door was burst open
and my uncle, Lord Worth and three
serving men rushed in. Instantly | was
born from Gertrude, firmly held by the
servants, and Knocked by my uncle, while,
Lord Worth, grinning and grimacing'
took my place opposite my beloved as
her bridegroom. In vain the poor girl
resisted her father threatened her with
public exposure. He confessed that the
cottage was one of ill-repute, and that
her stay at it in my company had ruined
her name forever were the circumstances
known ; adding, that she would not find
another with a love like Lord Worth's.
~ saw all then we hadSbeen cruelty
trapped. With a shrek, Gertrude
tainted, and l verify believe that she
was not conscious during the ceremony
which took place. Yes; l saw her we'd
ded to another! I saw her grayheaded
husband take her in his arms and carry
her to the carriage waiting. At that
moment, however, breaking away, she
fung herself on my breast, that beat
wildly against hers, while my lips pas.
sionately pressed her chetk. l could
not embrace her, for my arms were pins
ioned.
"When they dragged her away,
found she had left in my bosom this tiny
bunch of forget-me>nots preserved here"
and Sir Leicester held up crystal 81.
" entreat that it may be buried with
mev'
I bent my head, and he went on:
"When she was out OF my sight, bliss
full oblivion ensued. A year after, by
the unexpected death o. my cousin, I
became Sir Leicester Connington, and
the owner of wealth but no riches could
bring me happiness, for I had learned
Gertrude was an unhappy and ill used
wife, because she could mot bestow that
love she had not to give, it being mine
Ny uncle had sold her and broken her
heart. We had one consoIation-the
knowledge that each was faithful to the
other, and though here parted, in the
world to come we should be reunited.
"This morning." proceeded Sir Lei.
cester, "I received intelligence of her
death, upon which, having arranged my
affairs, instantly prepare to follow her.
She waits me. In a few moments we
shall be together ''
I made movement, but ne checked
me.
"Help is useless" he said "and /
have one favor yet to ASK. Next Thurs
day Gertrude will be buried, you will
see written on that paper. have made
arrangements that another grave shall be
dug during the night by it, in which my
body is to rest. Will you promise to see
this done?"
I hesitated, when he cried, with con~
vulsive agony: ooh, sir, do not refuse
the last wish of dying man.
I could not at that moment-it would
have been impossible.
"sir Leicester" said l, it shall be as
you DESIRE
"Thanks thanks p he exclaimed, a
bright smile on his features. "Ah,
Gertrude hush !! hush How softly she
She is here-here I"
He extended bis arms. His eyes were
upward as slowly he sunk on his
chair. He was dead I looked at the
watch; it was the very hour he had
X X
I fulfilled my promise, and his remains
were inferred by Lady Worth's, uncheck-
ID by Lord Worth, who had gone abroad.
Therefore to this day, no one, save the
two faithful servants and myself, is
aware that those who, in life, were SO
beartlessly parted, repose together in
death.