Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-04-05

N AN tnQut4 10
have hesitated q moment. When the,
came upon the beach tho waves fairl,
leaped into their faces. and Editi
shiyord and clung. half terrified, &c
her companion in spite Of herself.
Il believe you had better return
now aud lcnye It to me- no said.
mo. We are almost there. / should
never forgive myself If / did sh,
answered, catching her breath as shC
spoke. ut is only you | am worried
about"
Il am glad to be able to help you,
he.said. Aud / think he spoke the
truth
Inside the cottage poor Grace Poo
Icy lay on her hard bed trying "a
breathe on a little longer, ii so the
good God might send some good friends
before she died to care for her orphan
boy.
When the door opened her eyes
frightened, and she raised up a little.
The Lord bless you for coming. /
know He will,p she said, as Edith
threw off her wet covering and went
toward her.
This is only n of the boarders
who came with me- she said in reply
to the womans questioning look. II
should have come to-day had | known
that you were worse"
She sat down beside the bed, and
Arson Grey watched her as she spoke
in low, tender voice to tho grateful
woman. Among the words which he
could distinguish was a promise to see
to jamie and when the old woman,
who seemed to be nurse, came up to
administer something, and in a half
whisper asked Edith to pray with
them, he began to think he was in an
other world. And it was another to
him, truly. Surely she would never
do that. But she did. Kneeling,
upon the bare floor, clasping her white
hands, she sent up such a prayer for
help and strength as Arson Grey had
never dreamed of hearing before.
After that night Arson Grey knew
where his heart was, but for his life
he dared not approach Edith. She
seemed an unreasonable distance
from such as he, But he cherished the
memory of her prayers as the one
glimpse into heaven for which he
should thank God all his life.
Edith's mother was q gay woman,
and such she meant her daughter to be,
though for her life she could not keep
her from ferreting out, and helping
also, an innumberablo number of for
lOrn, pOverty-stricken people, who
had no earthly claim upon her. as they
went their fashionable rounds. 1t
was Notifying, oven exasperating,
but she was powerless to prevent it.
They were to be off again soon. An
son Grey heard but he would have
missed seeing, had he not acct
IDENTIFY met her as she was hurrying
up the beach toward their boarding
house on the very day they left. He
could not let her 20 without telling
her what was in his heart.
May | speak to you a moment?"
he said, abruptly stopping her.
Certainly"
As the word left her lips she saw
what his speaking was going to be.
oh, not that, Mr.. Grey
Somehow he took courage from the
quick paling other lips.
Yes, that. ! love you and want
you for my wife"
| am to be married Christmas
He turned and was leaving her,
when something made her speak.
Mr.. Grey"
He faced her again, and she saw
how white and stern he looked.
Had | been free you would not
have asked in vain"
For days and weeks afcrward An
son Grey Rugged the memory of her
look, as she said those blessed words.
to his heart, caring more for that than
for the love and caresses of any other.
Christmas came. but death came
with it, and Edith's lover went his
long journey, leaving his aiianeed
bride and her scheming mother to con-
sole themselves as well they might.
In a way mysterious to all save Will
liam Skinner, Edith heard of Arson
Grey's illness, and, as we have seen.
went to him and had the courage to
become his wife.
The people of Burlingame learned
to love the gentle mistress of the old
stone mansion on the hill, and never a
suffering n called for help in vain as
long as my lady" as they called
her, was mistress there.