Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-01-02


hire horse, did hep What did you
shoot him forP OF all strange actions
~ T. .
The driving of the doctors buggy
into the yard stopped her remarks,
when Delicia returned to Alta Vanne-
var to find her in a wandering delirium.
Three strange dayswere devoted to
nursing the invalids. A burning fever
made the young girl unconscious.
Aunt ThankfuPs charge was con-
scious, but very weak and silent. In
deed, he seemed to himself to be in
dream half full of delights, but pervaded
by great trouble which he could
scarcely name.
The radiantly lovely face of Delicia,
the rustic of her dress, the sound of her
footsteps pervaded his consciousness
like blessing. while his desperate quest
and misfortune were only half-realized
by him in the bodily weakness and in
action of brain caused by excessive loss
of blood.
=" How long have been here ?"
Delicia sat by him, having taken
Aunt Thankful's place for few mo-
ments, and started from momentary
absence of thought to find Guy Van
nevar's eyes fixed piercingly upon her.
This is the fourth day. Are yon
better ?"
Il am not sick, only in sort of dream
which cannot wake myself from"
I" You are very weak.
1t was you saw when came here,
wasn't it p''
at was l who shot you," replied
Delicia, blushing.
"I-I remember. Oh, my sister
Altar'-trying to rise upon his elbow.
Lie down, please. You must not
exert yourself. l have something to
tell you," said Delicia.
"1 have been here four days, you say.
Good God! what will become of her?"
Drink this coffee and try to be quiet.
Alta is safe"
"How can you know?"
81 have her in my care. Wallace
Munroe is dead --accidently killed"
And they were not marriedP'
"No."
THANK God"
And then he asked:
care you sure of this?"
Entirely sure"
He could talk no longer, but was visi-
bly, better in few hours.
The next day, pale, wasted, but
strong, in simple earnestness, he said,
quietly, TO Delicia:
"How wonderfully beautiful you
arew
Something in his eyes kindled hers,
and jor the first time in her life Delicia
felt within her pure breast the warmth
and sweetness of love.
Half alarmed by her emotions and the
growing power of the beautiful eyes
bent upon her. she rose from her place
| beside him.
You can see Alta to- day, you know,
if she is better. will go and see."
Alta Vannevar was better in body,
| but suffering in mind,
| She looked like a living wrath in
one of Delicia's long white wrappers,
and turned from her brothers kiss and
sat down in Delicia's lap like q Tired
child.
"Oh, if ! could die! know you love
me, Guy; but you did not love Wallace.
And lie is dead. Oh, Delicia, you
understand-you are woman. loved
himm 81. rr.s s.
Guy Vaunevar looked down at the
two figures, buried in the great easy
| Clldll, Vie ScIeHC WOIAdl jOlulnS lnt
suffering child to l.er bosom, and look
inexpressible filed his soft dark eyes.
And Delicia, glancing up, saw it and
knew it was for her.
| cannot tell you how in few days
these two grew together; but when
Guy Vannevar had told her of his po-
sition as a gentleman and the son OF a
gentleman, and discarded his disguise,
which had facilitated his pursuit OF
Wallace Monroe, the atmosphere OF
mystery and suspicion was entirely dis.
PEELED, and as weeks and months brought
their developments and occurrences,
Delicia realized that the prayer of her
secret heart was granted one great and
good loved her, and had asked her to be
his dearly beloved wife.
All had come to her--love, romance,
marriage and happiness; but to-day
scarcely less beautiful than of yore, she
will tell you that few women add to
their history the experience of having
shot their husbands, which is hers.
|