Richland beacon., 1880-01-03

| L could not speak, but my looks an
,wered him.
He dropped my hand and turned away,
I when Il few agitatcd words came through
the open window:
edith, | knew YOU would come. my
precious darling, my wife. You were
not 81 cruel as 10 forsakc me utterly"
1t was mans voice, but Mr.. Holli,
seemed To near Il simple word only of
| those it uttered.
"Wifc"' he echoed in hollow tone
Wife. Good God. And tomorrow
was to have been our wcdding-day
In spite of my terror and bewllder-
mcnt, J had the presence of mind TO
grasp hi, arm and drag him further away
from that house.
what brings You here ~ stcrnly de-
mandcd. "Whv have you followed us?'
Il did not follow you; am no spy it
was chance that brought me in this
direction tonight. Nay, not chance"
he added, with sudden vehemencc, but
the providence of God"
Then, before | could say word in
reply, he had freed himself from my
| grasp and Wis >triding down the shadow
haunted street.
Ten minutes later my mistress came
out. She drew deep breath as she
| cia>ped my arm, and felt her trcmblc.
Come, Jenny, let us get away from
here quickly, ] shall be glad to reach
home again glad
She looked ~ miserable and diSpirited
, that had not the courage to tell her
ho, =. a,
while she fingered within.
Next morning, while she waS at break
fast, and the mystical stir. Of the bridal
preparations was going on in the house,
one of the servants brought in Il large
package. She cut the cords, and out
fell heap of lettcrs-thc pure, dainty
letters She had written from time to
time to her lover-and the few books
and keepSakc> she had given him.
saw her stagger, turn pale and catch
her breath. Then she looked at me with
a bewildered air.
"I-I-don't understand. Do YOU,
Jenny??'
The package and brief note it con.
tanned were Deanc Hollis's farewell.
My lady did not cry or faint. Fling
ing the note away, she clasped both
hands to her forehead.
My God. This is incomprehensible.
-what-docs he mean ?'
Il can tell you, madam" And I did.
When She learned that Mr.. Hollis had
been at Holmes Cottage the night be-
fore, and what he had overheard there,
instead of sinking to the floor in shame
I l.
spran- towards the door with a smotb-
cred sol If joy.
ooh, heaven she said. Come,
Jenny, we have another mission to per-
form.
Where are you goine9'' | said, look
ing at her wonderingfy.
Come and see: Heaven grant that
We be not too late. 10
Scarcely waiting for her bonnet and
shawl, she hurried me from the house.
Presently we reached q handsome man.
sion-Mr. Hollis's country seat A car
riagc stood before the door and some
one was lust stepping into it:
My lady screamed out at the sight and
rushed forward excitedly:
"Oh, Deanc, don't 90! don't leave me
at least until | have been given n
chance 20 explain. You have mis- Judged
me; it is all terrible mistake. Come
with me to Holmes Cottage, do come.
God knows | do not wish to keep any
secrets from you not one"
We all entered the carriage together
and drove to Holmes Cottage.
We were met on the threshold by the
same forlorn looking woman who had
brought the note. She burst out sobbing
in our faces.
my son is dead" she cried.
'IIe breathcd his last soon after you
went away last night. Oh, ma am, won't
you come in an look at him. I'm sure
it would please him could he but know"
We entered the poor little room and
stood beside the couch on which the dead
man lay.
The secret of Ediths visit of the pre-
viOus night was soon told This rash,
impctuous man had allowed himself to
fail desperately in love with Edith, that
summer, in spite of the difference and
the utter impossibiity of his ever hoping
to win return of his affections.
When he realized that he must die a
prey to consumption, he prayed to he Ia
ken to the vicinity OF my ladies home,
that he might he near her at the last.
He had had more or less dclirium for
some days previous to his death, and
while this was on him had really fancied
that Edith was his wife, and spoke of her,
in his rambling way, as such.
II could not despise his love, Deane, /
pitied him so" my lady said, her beauti-
full eyes full of tears. ''DO not blame
me for seeking to hide the truth it was
for his sake. 1t seemed cruel to expose
his weakness. Will you forgivew
He echoed the word and caught her to
his heart.
Forgive you. oh, my darling, it is l
who needs to be forgiven"
Good things to have about where