The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1879-12-18

turned, leaving the invalid weak as an
infant, but with his mind unclouded.
As bis eyes rested upon Harley, a
strangely wistful expression stole into
them-a mingling of sorrow and re-
pressed longing.
Then, as memory resumed its full
sway, he turned his head to the wall, as
though to shut out all sights and sounds
of the outside world.
Harley said nothing, thinking it best
to await Chesters own time for expla-
nation.
At last he turned and asked
feebly-
"Did che send your
"No."
And Harley's voice was unnaturally
cold in his endeavor to keep from it all
traces of an emotion which might prove
! fatal to the sick man by agitating him
and bringing on an excess of fever.
"Then you d h't know that it is all
over between usT'
Z" Yes; that is why / am here.
When you are stronger we will talk
about it."
"That time will never c,me," and
the pallid face lit up with an exceed
ing solemn Joy.
"God is good, and now that life is
no longer precious TO me, He has
called me to home not made with
hands, / am dying. | feel it here"
placing his hand upon his heaving
chest.
Then with sudden earnestness he
continued: as
"Grty, when you hear all you will
pity me even more than you have con-
demned. l have learned within the
past few months that my mother died
a .raving maniac.zuWith such fate
hanging over me, her only child, the
blessed companionship- of her l have
loved. and do sti1l love better than my
own life. could never be mine. / DO not
know what wrote to Edna, only that
! said we could not marry. Since that
time all has been chaos"
"Do not excite yourself, ,''said Har-
ley, gently, hisfwhole being thrilling
with intense pity for the unfortunate
young man, gifted beyond his fellows,
yet with such a terrible aff1iction hang
ing over him. F" will write at once
and tell Edna. Better that she should
know the truth than think you false" :"
The invalid's large, bright eyes fzed
themselves with burning, anxious in
tensity upon Harley. r.---.
False, false to my Ednal If my
hearts blood could oe distilled drop by
drop, to cause her moments happiness,
il should be offered joyfully. Ny poor
darling make it all clear to her, and
ask her to cherish kindly memory of
me when / am gone"
"Do not be Respondent" said Harley,
assuming cheerfulness he was far from
feeling. 1t may not be as bad as you
think"
But the young artist was right.
-His life faded out slowly but surely.
But his last moments were very peace
full. ..,..-s ...
Harley had written to Edna and told
her the pit;ful story, and she sent a
long and comforting letter to her lover,
assuring him of her unfaltering devo-
tion, and of her willingness to share
his lot be it for suffering or for happi-
ness.
So he died rejoicing in the knowledge
of her love.
After all was over Harley returned
home. .y-o4-
Edna received him as one who had
brought to her a message from the dead
anu rs ne looKeu upon ner sorIo"Iul
young face, the heart which had once
beat with such passionate longings, even
at the sound OF her voice, was hlied
only with desire TO comfort her.
Had Edna been draped in widow s
weeds, she could not have been more
sacred to him in her first great
sorrow.
Three years passed on
Then came q time at which men
cheeks blanched, and whole commune
ties were thrilled with terror-wher
rich and poor were made one by the
common tie OF sympathy Tor fellow
beings in distress.
Harley was one OF the fiIst to offer hi
, services, and to be enrolled member
of the red cross.
he remained at MS posi- unnarmeo
until the close OF the terrible war.
: Inen ne was stricken down with 1ever
ana In place OF MS letters came tele
grams 80 anxiously avail TED.
put at last came the news OF ms con
vaiescence, ana OF MS lntenoeo ieturl
} home and at last came the pale snao0V
; OF the bronzed ana STURDY aariey wh'
had lett nome IN the prime OF ms noni
nahhooo W ohee ~ neeu oe' nis ~
1 upon sne sniins VI Sy ymPA'no'io ue'oeio'
W sne "ounueu
una was oe' @ ,oa u,'so . mnou =
r cam ~ ina. upon ner Ie.Irn 81
iouno MN IN tne npiary' seaveu, PAM
ing, ana exnaustco, IN large easy
cnair.
o One startled, lncreduious glance, ant
"W;.s '"nT nuem i;.ai i;,ni, -, II
i.s'o III "y s.e 4; spians ~, @ "I;e ,;e
. W - .L's III
-, --' 'o'> '' - A'''o'
|, Then With q srdden sbome sbe dro,
I h h Wiz ia saIn aaa M:,h su LII. 1no u,o'
shs .ito..a M 1Hoo "N"o WIN "'n'''
. 'n ~,