Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-03-05

ing, with a grateful heart, how the lives Of
my dear ones had been spared, when was
startled by hearing a low groan. Listening
for a repetition of the sound heard my
name called, in Georges voice, and, throw
ing on a wrapper, hurried into his room
He was evidently suffering terribly, and
spoke with difficulty
"Pm afraid it is the cholera" he said,
send for Dr. Grant"
1t was no time to consult my own feel
ings or yield to prudishness, had | been so
inclined, so flew to Norah's room-wak-
ened and dispatched her for the doctor with
all possible speed She was fortunate in
finding him at home, and he came, and came
with her at once 1t is not necessary that
should give the details Of those anxious days
and nights. DR.. Grant was with us every
moment he could spare from his other pa
tients, and he could not have done more
for George had he been his own brother.
We telegraphed for Sarah, but before she ar
rived, which was on the third day of her
husbands illness, he was out of danger.
The Improvement from that time was rapid,
and in another week George was lying on
the lounge, in our cozy sitting room, at the
pleasantest stage Of convalescence. Though
near the time for the equinoctial storm, it
was so warm that the doors and windows
were open, admitting the soft evening mir.
We were still sitting among the shadows,
with no other light than that of the newly
risen moon, when DR.. Grant came in. Twas
outside the window, in the shade of one of
the pillars Of the piazza, so that he did not
observe me as he entered. | was in quiet
mood, too, and did not join in the conversa-
ton which followed, so that he rose to take
leave without being aware of my presence.
"Well, Mrs. Wilson," said he, shaking
hands with Sarah, 81 think my patient is
now doing so well that | may safely leave
him to your care. Good bye, Mr.. Wilson !;
| have delegated all my authority TO your
wife; sec that you prove tractable hus-
band"
Do you mean TO say that you are not
coming here any more?" exclaimed George,
whose affection for DIR. Grant had seemed TO
gain strength with every hour of his sick
ness.
really donot think you need my further
care" was the quiet answer.
well, can't you come in to see us as q
friend :" queried George, impatiently," or is
it necessary for one of the family TO have
smallpox or yellow fever TO obtain that
honorP"
Your friend | shall always be, and as
such you may rely upon me-" replied DIR.
Grant, but for the present, at least, cannot
visit here Think am sure il is not well
for me to do so.
Hang it all Must you stay away for
ever on account of Clara's folly in refusing
your She's rcpented it ever since, know,
and grown thin and pale, pining for a sight
of you"
" Georgol" demonstrated Sarah.
waited TO hear no more, but sprang from
the piazza, and flew TO the very end of the
garden, taking refuge in the grape-arbor
where leaned, painting, against the trellis
hiding my hot face against the cool, dewy
vine leaves. In few moments heard Dir
Grants quick, firm tread across the piazza
and down the gravel walk. CAS- soon as
hear the gate close behind him." thought /
| will slip in at the kitchen door and ur
to my ROOM" The steps made no pause al
the gate, however, but came straight to my
hiding place. The arbor had but one en-
trance-therc was no escape for me-so
did not move as he came in and stood beside
me.
Clara" he said, 81 am very sorry yor
should have heard your brothers thought
less remark, and have followed you, not tc
add to your confusion, only to beg of yor
TO forget what was said, and 10 assure yor
that you need not fear my building false
hopes upon it,"
81 do not fear I'll" ! answered, impotu
ously. 81 know your love for one so un
worthy of it must have persisted long ago
and, even it still existed, the confession
have 10 make would turn il TO scorn."
Rapidly, for fear my courage should fai
me if ! paused for thought, went on till ]
had told him the whole of my shameful
story. knew owed it 10 him, and, bittel
as was the humiliation IL cost me, told Tia,
whole honestly and without reservc--al
but the discovery had made too late in re
gard to my own feelings that, | thought
might spare myseli-and when had fin
ishcd | asked, humbly, without daring u
raise ny eyes, if lac would try in time To for
give the wrong had done him.
at is forgiven already" he answered
1t was II wrong, doubtless, but you have
repented Of it. Oh, Clara Clara !" he addet
softly, as il TO himself, little do you know
how much such love as mine for you is ca
pablo Of forgiyingp
Can it be possible that you love me still =
exclaimed, looking up at him with filc'
which must have betra Jed me, for he, in hii
turn, exclaimed
81 Can it be possible that you find at last
that you can love mcY
| answered him humbly and truly this
time, and by and by we walked into the
house together, and he told George and
Sarah Of the promise had given him.
We were married before the SHOWS came
and each year which has passed since then
has brought INC more loving reverence oi
the heart once spurned and more loathing
adherence Of my sin and folly in 80 doing
and ! cannot SEQ girls inclined 10 indulge
themselves in what they term "a little fir
tation," without longing, from the depths Of
my heart, 10 bid them pause and think, ere
II is too late, Of what may be the consc-
qucnces.
You, gay girls, may not wreck your own
happiness, ~ | nearly did, but you may
that Of another for time and for eternity.
You think ! cxaggerateg Listen 10 what
was once told me by man who knew, by
sad experience, the truth Of his words -
"Ilalf, moro than half Of the drunlards in
our land-and their name Is Legion---are
men ruined by the coquotry Of women"