The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1881-10-28

He thought, probably, that he would
not marry for years when no did, it
would be to enhance his position in
life. She released him, and he has never
| been back since.
"The wretch !" l muttered, as / went
on up TO my room. "Truly, man is
noble creature, but woe to the luckless
woman who chances to be at his mercy
He will plant foot upon her neck, and
with swords point against her break
ing heart, cody exult in her helpless
ness and all the more exult if the poor
victim is unable to hate him."
went down TO Nellie's room after
awhile / knew as soon as saw her
that her DAYS were numbered. / tried
to speak words of encouragement to
her, but felt that in the presence OF
such woe as hers they were a mockery.
Her mother was sitting by the side of
the bed, weeping.
al was telling mamma" she said to
me, in voice so low and weak that l
had to stoop to catch the words, " that
1 should not live much longer, and that
want to see Edgar before 1 die. She
does not think it will do, but it can
harm no one, and oh " with pitiful
clasp of the little hands, "I cannot die
without seeing him once more. He will
come if send for him, for he loves me
yet. Talk with mamma, and urge her
for me-"
thought with Nellie, that there was
nothing wrong in sending for him, and
finally talked Mrs. Easton into it. Nellie
preferred to send her cousin, young
man, for him, so there could be no
chance of the message failing to reach
its destination. So he started for the
city on the next train. 1t would be
impossible for them to reach E. be-
fore n.down the next day.
Nellie seemed to rally after the mes
senger bad gone, and as the shadows
deepened into darkness she fell asleep,
and slept peacefully till after mid
night.
She had asked me to sit up with her,
so was present when she awakened.
al have been dreaming of him." she
said to me, smiling. "He is not here,
is hep" looking about the room. "It
seemed so real !"
After few minutes she asked,-
els it after twelve yet?"
eyes," I answered.
"Oh," her face becoming radient, and
both hands coming ioyously together,
"then he will be here today
The to-day" proved a long one to
the poor sufferer. As the night drew
on, every minute seemed to the waiting
girl like an eternity.
We had, at her request arranged her
hair prettily, and raised her to half
sitting position. A light shawl of some
bright color had been thrown around
her shoulders. " For l do not want to
Llook ghost like" she 'said.
| watched her closely, fearing that
the unnatural tension of her nerves
would give way before her lovers COM
ing, and that she would be too prostra
ted to recognize him. The cold moon
beams began tolie whitelyIpon the floor
of the room, and knew that they would
soon arrive. Even then the cars were
coming. looked toward the bed, and
saw that Nellie, too, had been listening
for the sound and heard it. The roses
were stealing into her cheeks, and she
put one little hand'up to her head, and
then tried to arrange her shawl about
her. ] recognized the woman in the
act, and went to her, saying
"You are all right Nellie don't ex-
ert yourself. He will think you ere
beautiful"
"Ah do you think so2 He will find
me so changed
The hall door opens, and the foot
steps of man came slowly through the
hall and up the stairs, Her quick ear
caught. the sound, and she sank back
with moan and cried OUT
"God help me--ho hasn't come "
reached her just as the man who
was sent for her lover came in. Her face
had grown livid. Her eyes scanned his
face eagerly; her lips were quiyering.
"Be was not there }" she asked.
Her cousin knelt beside the bed, took
one little hand in his, and answered
hesitatingly
dyes, Nellie, he was there | saw
him."
"Then he was illp Oh, don't tell me
that he was not and did not come to
me when am dying for his sake
"Oh, Nellie, Edgar could not come.
He would have almost given his life tc
have done So"
"Then he is i'll ?"
No answer.
"For Gods sake, tell me Don't you
see that your cruel words are killing
me?"
"oh, Nellie, try TO bear what you