Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-06-11
How She Married Him.

Keziah Buokthorn had survived, by
q considerable period, whatever of fem.
mime charms and graces she might
have once possessed, when handsome
fortune dropped down upon her as il
from the clouds.
Had the riches come score of years
sooner there is no telling what might
have been. Keziahs attractions had
never been, so to speak, dazzling. But
twenty years have great potency in
turning dimples into wrinkles and lines
OF beauty into crows feet; and many an
adventurous Celebs who might have
found Miss Buckthorn q match not I'M
acceptable, with such a fortune, at
twenty-five, passed her by at forty five,
saved from the sin of covetousness by
the reflection that she and her money
were inseparable conjuncts.
problem of whose life was to keep ad-
justcd the balance between very mod
crate income and quite expensive tastes,
and who looked upon thrifty marriage
as q goal of human wishes, after o few
visits Of Reconnaissance to Keziah which
left him in doubt that he had but to say
the word to receive gracious an
swer, left the word unspoken.
Mr.. Gynblaney's visits had ceased for
some weeks, when message came one
day that Miss Buckthorne was quite ill
had fallen into decline, in fact-and
had been given up by DR.. Croke. She
desired to see Mr.. Gynblaney and such
other friends as might wish to bid her
farav,nl1 oro che c<o rtoJ M that
whence there is no return.
Of course there was no refusing such
request. Decorously clad IN solemn
black, and with face put on to match,
Topham Gynblaney presented himself
at the invalid's door.
" How is she, doctor ?" he inquired,
gravely, of dried-up little man, who
met him at the threshold with a coun.
tenance in which was depicted fear with
whole homily on the vanity of hope.
Sinking rapidly" DR.. Croke re-
piled: st those who wish to see her alive
have no time to SPARE"
"There is no chance for her, then ?"
"Not the slightest. Constitution
gone-neryous system shattered-lungs
oollspsed-no recuperative force-no--"
AOW AOAS5 NO SSu ta1Ah oAo IL 1dSt
interrupted Topham. anxiously.
"Eight-and-forty hours at the fur
thest; more likely less than half of it"
Would you like to see her ?" asked
the doctor, at length.
II called for that purpose" returned
the other.
"Let me apprise her of your pres.
ence," said the doctor; in her present
state any sudden surprise might prove
fatal"
After brief absence the ,'ac.o, re-
turned.
This way" he said, leading the
visitor to the sick-room.
Mr.. Gynblaney was shocked at the
spectacle that met him. His heart, we
have limited, was pretty tough; sbut
tough as it was, it was touched at the
sight of the pale, emaciated face
enough of itself to dispel all doubt of
the truth of the doctors predictions.
"This-is--very-kind-of you, Top
Mr.. Gyn-blaney, l mean," the sick
lady murmured, spasmodic cough in
terrupting her words.
Mr.. Gynblaney took the chair placed
for him at the bedside, and clasping in
his own the thin hand extended to vel
come him, returned its trembling pres.
sure.
The doctor and the nurse retired to
prepare posset for the patient, leaving
the latter and Mr.. Gynblaney alone.
~ trust you will be better soon,"
said Mr.. Gynblaney, with well-meant
hypocrisy.
past-hoping-for," was
the scarcely audible answer. Dr.
Croke-has-told-m
DR.. Croke, We may here remark, al
ways told his patients the worst. If
they got we'll, tie more credit to him.
II they died, of course it wasn't his
fault.
A sudden thought flashed across Mr..
Gynblaney. If he could only marry
Miss Buckthorne now! In two DAYS. OF
less, he would be o widower, and the
lawful possessor of his wife's fortune.
Here was an opportunity indeed!
Rubbing his eyes with his handker-
chief till they watered and looked red
from the force of the friction, he gave
the hand in his another and more ten.
der pressure.
Dear keziah,' he whispered softly
between his sobs, "how-how--cruel
thatwthat we sh should be parted
thus!'
1 have long cherished the purpose, VI
he went on hurriedly, mastering his
emotion with an effort, "of asking you
to be mine. Diffidence alone restrained
me. But if you will even now con.
sent"
Observation-Disclosures
be-a-comfort-to you Top Top
ham, dea--'
Inc cough would not allow her to
finish.
)" 1t would-it would" he exclaimed,
with a burst of well-feigned feeling.