Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-04-21


cordial upon the hall table, but her feet
refused to stir. .a.
Suddenly steps sounded at the gate.
To her inexpressible joy and thankful
ness, Aunt Thankful and Bob appear
ed. .u..fs.l
Delicla explained to the former, brlei-
ly, though her voice sounded far away
to herself. .r.r ...,.iI
Wounded-hurt-bleeding awiully!
Bob, ride for doctor fast as you can
90 y cried the old nurse. instantly in
her element. ..--
The wounded man was making ylsl-
BILE efforts to keep from swooning. but
when Aunt Thankful had administered
a cordial and bathed his temples in cold
water, he arose and walked weakly. in
to the house, where at her solicitations,
be stretched himself upon sofa, and
then unexpectedly tainted.
4 don't in the least understand who
this man is remarked Aunt Thankful,
steadily applying restoratives, but such
a ragged coat and fine shirt l never saw
together before. Wanted TO hire a
horse, did he 4? What did you shoot
him for? Ofall the strange actions
The driving of the Doctors buggy in
to the yard stopped her remarks, when
Delcia returned to Alta Vannevar to
find her in a wandering delirum.
Three strange days were devoted to
nursing The invalids. A burning fever
made the young girl unconscious. -.
Aunt Thankful's charge was con-
selous, but very weak and silent. In
deed, he seemed 10 himself to be in a
dream half full of delights, but pervad-
ed by great trouble which he could
scarcely name.
The radiantly lovely face of Deiicia,
the rustic, OF her dress. the sound of her
footsteps, pervaded his consciousness
like blessing, while his desperate
quest and misfortune were only half-re-
allied by him ia the bodily weakness
and naction Of brain caused by exces-
sive loss of blood. '.. ..
'How long have | been here "
Dclicla sat by hin, having taken
Aunt Thankful's place for few mo-
ments, and started from a momentary
absence OF thought TO find Guy yanne-
vars eyes fixed pierciugly upon her.
This is the fourth day. Areyou bet
ter?'
Il am not sick, only in a sort ola
dream which I canrot wake myself
FROM
You are very weak
1T was you saw when came here,
wasn't it?'
1T was who shot YOU replied Deli
cia, blushing.
I-Iremember. Oh,my sister Alta"
trying TO rise upon his elbow.
Lie down, please. You must not
exert yourself. 1 have something TO
tell you,' said Delicla.
I have been here four days, you say,
Good God what will become of her ?
Drink this coffee and try ITO be quiet.
Alta is SAFE
How can you know?
Il have her in my care. Wallace
Munroe is Enthusiastically killed.
And they were not married?
No.
Thank God!
And then he asked
Are you sure Of this: 2
Entirely sure.'
lie could talk no longer, but was vis-
IDLY better in few hours.
The next day, pale, wasted, but strong,
in a simple earnestness, he said. quiet
ly. TO Delicia;
How wonderfully beautiful you are =
Something in his eyes kiaded hers,
and for 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, sou know,
| if she Is better. l will 90 and see.'
Alta Vannevar was better in body,
but suffering in mind.
She looked like living wrath IN one
of Delicla's long white wrappere, ant
turned from her brothers. kiss and sal
down in Delicia's lap like tired child
oh, ifif l could die l know yor
love me- Guy; but you did not lov'
Wallace. And he is dead. Oh, Deli
cia, you understand you are woman
I loved him y r .I af
Guy Vannever looked down at thu
two figures, buried IN the great cas-,
=, , chair, the serene woman iolding th'
suffering child TO her bosom, and lool
inexpressble filed his soft dark eyes
Aud Delicia, glancing up, saw it ant
knew it was for her.
cannot tell you how in few day
" these two grew together; but when On
Vanneyar had told her of his pOsitio
as gentleman and the son of gentle
man, and discarded his disguise, whlc
had facilitated his pursuit of Wallac
Munroe, the atmosphere of myster
and suspicion was entirely dispelleC
:. and as weeks and months brought the
- =. developements and occurrences, Del
. cia realized that the prayer OF her Sc
n cret heart was granted-one great an
X good loved her, and had asked h.r
ho b;s Joorlv helovnd wife