Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1880-12-23
WHOLE NO. 1867.

4
| and passed on.
/ Flora announced to her mother 81
that had transpired. She would hay,
been something less than q mothe
had not copious tears dimmed he
dear old eyes at the thought of los
ing her pretty daughter but sh,
gave her benediction and set abou
concocting schemes for the fests
occasion. Christmas was but two
weeks distant and there was much
to be done.
Next morning the news OF the
coming marriage was announced tc
the whole Lee household and it wa,
q sweet surprise to servants and all.
Did / say ALI
Two weeks, with their hustle and
preparation, passed quickly, and on
Christmas eve the large parlor fold
ing doors in the Lee mansion throwu
wide open disclosed gorgeous fes.
toons and emblems In evergreen and
mistletoe-disclosed q COMPANY OF
merry, laughing friends moving to
sweet, stirring music from an orches.
tra-disclosed q girlish figure, of
such airy lightness and grace that i,
appeared as from a brighter realm
than this, leaning upon the manly
arm of him who had been her guardian
and protector for life but short hour
before. When had mahogany -
groaned under such load of good
things as did that one spread in the
banquet hall
The evening had worn itself almost
away when servant approached the
bridegroom and whispered a mes.
sage from Coony that he would Ike
to see him for few moments. Rome
did not care to leave the beautiful
room and bis happy wife; but Coony
had not appeared we'll for about two
weeks, and for the past two days
had been confined to his bed. A
physician had been called the iay
before, but could not decide as to
the nature of his illness. So the
bridegroom took himself alone up
the long stairs toward the room OF
the sick man
How sweet the music sounded to
Rome as its delicious strains swelled
up the broad stairway and died
among the many chambers How
could anybody be unhappy in house
where there was SO much happiness !!
Rome found the door and entered
Upon clean white bed lay the per-
con with whom Roma had had the
midnight conversation at the mon.
umeni and with whom be had since
become better acquainted. AS be
approached the bed and looked at
Coony's features he became alarmed.
Although unused to death, Rome
could not mistake it's shadow where
1t fell 80 heavily. The face Of the
sick man was flushed and feverish.
hia eyes looked strangely bright
and his breath came lsbored and
painful. Rome seated himself be.
side tho bed and waited for him to
speak.
The room was very mot. The
music below sounded sweet. soft and
far away. The heavy breathing of
the sick man grew momentarily
shorter. The shaded lamp and dy.
ing embers in the CRATE cast dark,
uncertain sPeotres on the ceiling.
and procession of gsunt, wavering
giants moved along the side walls.
Upon round table in one corner
stood small smelling furnace and
iadle OF ore-but the fire was out
and tho ore was cold and supine
After gazing long tim, at Rome.
Coony spoke-spokc 10 o broken,
subdued voice:
"Are you very happy tonight ?"
be said.
"Yes-very," Rome answered.
Then the sick man paused. He
| seemed to wish to ask some other
question that came hard. The mus
cles in his face contracted, his hands
and feet worked nervously and
there was on enquiring.ear light
in his eyes that looked right through
Rome. AT last with great effort he
again spoke.
"And are you married to-to
Flora Lee 2" As be asked the ques-
ton he raised In bed, his eyes fairly
started from his head, and every
nerve IN his noble frame quivered
again.
Rome stood bewildered. A new
light was breaking in upon him.
Could it be that this msn-so &c.
centric-had the capacity to love !;
and had that love been besto ed
upon the girl who was now his
bride?
"Are you married ?" be asked
again, vehemently.
eyes, Coony; l was married
about an hour ago, Rome answered /,
very slowly.
Gloomy fell back in bed with a
deep grosn, while into his features
came such look of mingled an
guish, bitterness, desolstion and IN
uttersble woe as R,me had never
before seen upon the face of any
man and he turned to the wall as
culver after culver convulsed bis
frame. Poor Coonyl The world
took all from thee it had to give.
Hot tears swell.d to Rome's eyes
and be leaned bis head upon Coony's
pillow and wept bitterly for the ag-
ony he had caused.
The music still sounded but farth-
er away the fire burned lower 10
the CRATE and made the giants on
the wall grow longer and blacker
and made them dance merrily and
grimace horribly ; and the sick man
lay so still hat Rome thought be
had surely eeased to be.
Suddenly he turned toward the
young man and reached out his
hand. His features had softened
somewhat, but his eyes showed that
his mind wandered. He took Rome's
hand, and, asking If it was the ooe
that she had belt, kissed it. T5ar
be spoke in broken sentences.
"The night is so dsrk-so csrkl
And | must go out alone. To. NOR
row will be merry Christmas and
she will ring the bells and it will
be bright and everybody will be
/