The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1880-03-18
WHOLE NO. 17OS.

There, close to the frame or the PIC
ture, her shoulder touching it, stood
the original. He held up his candle,
like a yellow flaming torch. For the
moment, in the silent moonlight, with
all the world asleep around, alone with
these two-were they two?-hls rea-
son went from him. He raised him
self to his knees, and knelt like a de-
votee before shrine-his arms wide
ly opened, his face raised, wild with
worship: were they two, standing side
by side, comparing themselves each to
each, or were they one?
"You have come to me at last-you
have come to me-Maudr'
She looked at him as before with
her soft smile. There was no reply
in her to his passion. 81 did wrong
to speak to you," she said; you do not
understand. | was so pleased that
you saw me. No one sees me. come
and go, sometimes out, sometimes In.
go to their rooms and they do not
see me. Then when | find one that
will speak-that will smile, am
glad" There came from her, mingled
together, the soft laugh and the sigh
that made his heart stand still. but
no more-but no more" she said.
And there seemed to creep about
him chill. He meyer felt it before.
When he had seen first all had been
soft as her looks, delightful as the
bloom on her face The bloom was
still on her face, but shaded as by
mist. Nor could he see as he did be-
fore. The moonlig hit confused the
soft features-or perhaps it was his
yellow flaming human candle, not
everlasting like the other light, ready
to burn out and extinguish itself.
His strength and his senses seemed to
fail.
81 do not understand" he cried; l
do not understand! but whatever it is,
accept accept. Dead or living,
Maud, Maud, come with me-let us be
together! Gomez he said, stretching
his arms wildly,
She did not draw back nor move,
but neither did he touch her with his
longing arms. Did fear seize them
halfway extended? He could not
tell. They dropped down by his side,
and his heart dropped, sinking within
him. She stood before him unmoved
always the same calm, the half smile
on her lips, her blue eyes pleased and
tender. Then she shook her head
slowly, gently.
ut is not permitted. | told you l
had loved the earth and all that was
on it; and now | am earthbound.
could not go if l would, and / would
not if l could. what we have to do,
that is what we love best. But l
never thought that you would mis-
take so much-that you would not
understand. Now / know why there
are so few that see us. 1t is to keep
them from harm," she said with soft
sigh. "Ah me! when the only thing
we long for, it is sometimes to speak
but l will never wish for it
"Maudm He thew himself at her
feet again with great cry. Touch
me mark me that | may be yours
always. If not in life, yet i'll death.
Say we shall meet when | die"
Once more she shook her head.
How can | tell? do not know you
in the soul. You will do what is ap-
pointed; but do not be sorry, you will
like to do it," she said with her sweet
look of teuder pleasure. Goodbye,
brother-good-byer'
Il will not let you gor' he cried:
II will not let you go! and seized
her in his arms.
Then in Edmund's head was roar
ing of echoes, changing OF noises, a
blast as of great trumpets and music;
and he knew no more.
Edmund is not in his room; his
bed has not been slept in" said Lady
Beresford, coming hastily upstairs
next morning Immediately after she
had gone down.
Sir Robert had not yet left his dress
ingroom. She was pale and full of
alarm. ."His door was open; there Is no
trace of HIM. [ have sent out over all
the park. He must have left the house
last night. And Fred tells me the
strangest story. What is it, Robert?"
Sir Robert was very much disturbed
himself, but he would make no certain
reply,
ing about somewhere. He has got
some nonsense in his head" Then he
hurried down the ime-tree walk, and
out to the park, looking under the
bushes and trees. If he had found
Edmund there lying white and stark,
Sir Robert would not have been sur
prised. They searched for him all the
morning, but found no trace anywhere.
later in the day, Sir Robert suddenly
bethought himself of another posi-
bility. He hurried I'D to the old gal
lery, calling his eldest to go with him.
And there, indeed, they found Ed
mund-lying on the floor. But not
dead, nor raving; pale enough, pale as
ghost, but asleep; his candle long
ago burnt out to the socket, and the
soft little face he had loved placidly
watching over him from the picture,
as unmoved, though not so sweet as
the vision he had seen.
1t cannot be said that Edmund Gov
entry was we'll enough to leave Dain-
trey that day, nor for several days
But he went away at soon as it was
possible, going off from the great
door, and by the drive, not approach
ing the lime-tree walk. He had no
brain-fever, nor any other kind Of
fever. Various changes were percep-
tible, the Beresfords thought, in his
life; but other people were uncon-
scious Of them. He had always been
gentle soul, friendly, charitable. and
true. More than year after, when
he met his former guardian and fam
lily in town, the old intercourse was
renewed, and that came to pass which
Lady Beresford had always thought
so very suitable. He,,married Maud