The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-05-20

s Bessie, I've got something to tell
you. Can you guess its import2p he
asked, in as sorrowfula q tone as he could
assume.
She had read 1t on his face.
stGilford is dead2" sshs cried, in a
cold, strange voice. "Tell me -oh. tell
meif it be true!" = r
4 Alas, / fear it istoo trne {" returned
Arthur, mournfully. " Dear Bessie, he
continued, taking her cold and icy hand
in his, y" I extend to yon my sincerest
and most heartfelt sympathies for this
sad bereavement which has fallen upon
you. Although / almost idolized my
poor brother, yet also feel very sensi-
bly, for you"
! She did not faint, as Arthur had an
ticipaied. Many another. one, under
such trying circumstances, would have
done 30. Neither did she scream nor
weep-the shock was too great, poor
childi She sank into a seat, her cheeks
blanched, the color slowly left her face,
her eyes CLEANED with an unnatural
sparkle, and yet she shed no tears. She
did not seem to realize the full extent
Of her loss. HereEery faculty appeared
as though parslyzed.
Arthur stood gazing upon her in
amazemcnt. He had expected a scene,
but was disapp pointed -agreeabiy So 8
'iShe cares nothing for him." he
thought. "Her actions express thai" I"
But he was mistaken.
al thousand thoughts were revolving
through her soul striving for ntterance.
The copsoIation of speaking-of telling
Arthur how miserable she. was IN lty,
vasIdsn;ed her at that moment. Ono
in the solitude of her own room, with
the door fastrlocked, she sank upon the
floor. -. -.-
And during the silent Watches Of the
night abe never once siumDered nor
slept, but paced the marrow limits OF her
room with untiring feet until the break
ing Of gray dawn proclaimed morning
and new day.
a 4.fls NIL
Winter, with its drifting SHOWS, had
come, and almost gone .seg
Bessie Orne had not again entered So
ciety. From alright and happy girl
she became melancholy and reserved
woman. She had lost the usual. buoy,
ancy OF youth, and the hight OF Colonel
Orne'e home seemed snddenly stricken
ont forever.
Arthur visited her daily, aiways
bringing some trlning gi1., some cnoice
fruits or flowers, and Offering them In 9
lew Welichosen words or neatiy-turneo
compliment that seldom tailed TO bring
the blushes TO ner Gneeh a..
ene tnougnt 0. tnsSe-.hougns snenl
over ana over iu sne sno I:sI;l,o Va ae snei
chamber, and her former olsiike van.
iansd. one aimoss nateo nslsell u! lol no'
feslmg more gra5eiui, anu IoI nos snom. 5,c
ing her gratituoe In more irienuiy
manner.
Ny child, = said the colonel to her
one day, Arthur has been speaking to
me concerning you"
"Of mef" returned Bessie, in sur.
prise.
have thought" continued the col
onel, mildly, " of the possibility OF my
soon paying the debt We all owe to Ma
ture. In that event would IKE 70 ieaye
come one to protect You. There is no
one who would make you better hus-
band than Arthur Grey" 81 -
Arthur Grey can never be more than
a friend to me,'s replied Bessie, coldiy;
% and can YOU ask me to forget my early
voWsf NY hand shall never be given to
another. I cannot believe my first love
dead and"
The colonel interrupted her with q
naughty wave OF the hand.
such suppositlon ls ABSURD In tne
extreme. INDULGE your fancy ~ ne
such ideas. IT he were not dead, ne
will never return" -
But must never forget, ahe
answered tearfully.
t Pshaw," returned the colonel, i'm.
patiently. Bessie, DO act senslpiy
save these tears Tor smother occasl1n.' On
! shall.neyer marry sopped Des'
sic; emo, never
Ny child, " said the colonel, aus
terely, wen nave no more ol ), Shisr =
you please. / have waited until YOU
grief had in some measure su6sided.
have borne with you patiently, ana :. ]
hope you'll obey me oy accepting al
thur Grey;
Bessie drew nerselt up plouo,y,n na any
would nave repiieq, DuI Sleno -
would hear OF no expianaIlon ano
with q gesture OF naughty aiscaln, ssroa
from the room. Feor Bessie, tne ue
crees of destiny are irreyocaplei
But there came Peroeptible change
The angel OF death proooeo, WIN snao
sowy wings OF darkness, ever t1e nouse
Colonel Ofne, in 3 silent and darkene'
tchamber, lay sick unto death. Day an
night, Bessiesat her pos, BY his bedside
fingered, administered to his wants
| Watching his slumbers. "A.
]. & what If ] should lose him, toof
was the question she continually aske
herself, with agonizing dread and sh
lifted her heart In prayer that the !. Gu
might pass from her lips"
One day her father called her 70 d
bedside.
Bessie, l want you 70 mary Afsns ., !.
Grey and before / die.- VIII your
i asked. earnestly. G..