The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-12-11
A Turn of Fortunes Wheel.

$s.. 4Grt 81.
The air was freighted with the f,int
scent of magnolias-great masses of
cream white boon sllone everywhere.
Nora Leonard, leaning from the Win
dow, pale and weary, hated the heavy
fragrance She knew she could never
never again catch the faintest hint of
that subtle odor without sudden vision
of all the suspense, the pain, the crushed
hopes, the despair, that had wrung her
heart since she entered the place. The
very loveiinrss gave her sick pang-it
seemed such IL mocktry to her desolate
heart.
. mora, where are you? Where the
deuce de- you keep yourselfp I'm choke
ing some witer-anything! Oh! You're
srffling should choke, aren't youP But
7 you won't be rich widow, you see !;
e. and poor widow with IL deformed
child won't" ....
"Oh, Philip, hushm cried Nora,
hurrying to the bedside with /, flush
rising on her pale face. Don't--don't
talk of our darling in that way. There
Is hope, if she can only he put into the
right hands. And shall try-after--"
"Oh, after I'm dead and gone. Go on,
don't have the least consideration for
my feelings. don't mind it, bless you !
confounded hole when they sent me
fere--r,ot much beside bones, should
say"
The invalid was indeed wasted to a
skeleton. His eyes were wild, gloomy
and cavernous, and u hectic spot burned
on each check. His long, clawlikc
hands clut he'd nervou'ly ut the bed
clothes. His voice was harsh, cold and
cruel; although the death damps wer,
already on his brow, he had not growl
NOR. geutl" or more kind. Jealous and
fierce IL his love. he was full of sullen
resentment tllat he must at last release
the woman who had been his bond-mai,l
so long, leaving her free to listen t.
kinder words, to be consoled, perhaps,
by n tendercr love, while he was lying
'titfand stark--turning to mold-'ashes
To ashes, dust 10 dust"
" It's us good II placp to die in as any
where else, suppose" he said, mOodily.
looking into his wifG's face; ." if YOU can
say any place is good to die in. tor II
fellow that wants to live. | could make
another fortune if only had the time" p"
"Oh, never mind. Don't think
about that now," exclaimed Nora.
bathing his forehead.
p 'Oh, yes! You're like the old woman
who, when her husband wanted to give
some parting instructions, said, Never
mind about that, you Just 60 on diving
You're in II confounded hurry, amt
youp"
- You are exciting yourself"
Z" 1t docs me good. 1t quickens my
pulses. J believe l am just dying OF
stagnation. A good game of poker,
now. Confound that quack doctor that
sent me here"
"The clergyman called yesterday-'
| won't see him. don't want any
sulphur and birthstone slung around
here, and as for the place where they're
all twangin' on golden harps, it must be
deuced slow"
Dear Philip, you frighten me! How
can you say such reckless, daring
things?'
A fit of coughing stopped the sick
mans angry answer, followed by COM
plete exhaustion. and Nora sat by the
bedside, wearily, sometimes moving III
restless head, strOking the nervous
hands, or bathing the hot brow, in II
lifeless sort of manner that showed none
of the eagerness of love or the anguish
Of fond wife who is dreading and fear
ing the final blow.
d. At last, through WEAKNESS and watch
ing, Nora dropped into II troubled sleep.
j. No movement stirred her from her un-
easy dreams. A dead silence--a strange,
unearthly hush fell upon the room. No
more the busy hands clutched at tile
bedclothes, no more the wild, fierce
eyes shot out their baleful fires
The hectic flush burned out on the
hollow cheeks, and ashen hues settled
there, but Nora slept on. A fly settled
on the still face and walked over it with
out molestation. .t
Beating heart and burning brow,
Ye are very silent now"
The sound of striking clock and tht
opening door startled Nora from hel
rest. 1t was high noon, and Chloe, the
kind nurse, had brought in her master'e
heef-tea. Clinging to her skirts came
the only child, a tiny little creature fouC
years old, her fair hair falling about her
neck and almost concealing the slight
curvature of the spine which threatened
her with permanent deformity. In the
dark eyes there was that look of pathetic
questioning which we often see in child
ren who have been doomed to suffering.
From those shy, startled eyes Philip
Leonard had nicknamed his baby Bunny,
and she had found secure place in his
selfish heart r..
/" Here's de beef-tea, honey" cried
Chloe, cheerily; strong enough to
'toXicate a pussun."
Nora looked at the bed. She had
already felt the sense of stiffness there.
She clasped her hands together.
4" Look at him, Chloe. / think, l am
sure, there's Il change" =
A change, sure nuff." said the