The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1881-01-20
& ESTABLISHED N
I MARCH, 1S47.

back to see her mothers grave, but
for the present he was content; he
never dreamed that his quiet, tender
wife, was secretly pining to return to
Brittany.
She had always been delicate and
weakly, but the scanty fare of her
childhood, and then her life Of con-
stant toll and hardship, and the long
waiting for Yves, had sapped the lit
tie strength she had, and disease made
her an easy prey.
She had been SO happy since her
marriage that a bloom had come to
her cheeks, and light to her eyes,
that looked like health. She was so
sweet, so bright too, that Yves never
dreamed that his darling was slowly
wasting away.
But this year an unmistakable
change had come; her eyes were still
bright, but her cheeks had grown hol-
low, and the bloom on them had
changed to hectic flush. She had a
constant cough too, and she stopped
and put her hand to her side when the
wearing fits of coughing came.
One day she asked Yves to take her
for a walk. He not done this lately,
as he fancied she tired so soon; but
she asked him so earnestly that he
consented.
The wind was cold, and Liszen shiv-
cred.
II am growing lazy" she smiled at
her husband. Il feel as if strength
had gone from me-"
A violent fit of coughing choked
her speech. She turned pale, and
sank into her husbands arms.
Yves was terribly frightened. He
got her home with difficulty; but he
did not tell her his fears; and when
she had quite revived, he tried to make
light of her illness.
Liszen gave him sad smile. She
knew the truth, and her heart was
full of grief.
But Yves had reused like man
from dream. 1t seemed to him that
all at once he saw death written in
the face Of his beloved wife. How
blind he had been all this while.
That night he went to a doctor, and
learned the truth of his fears. The
doctor came next day; and then he
told Yves there was no hope for Lis
zen; but, in spite of his agony, the
poor fellow kept his knowledge to
himself. 1t was as much as he could
do to bear to watch life ebb silently
away; he could not increase this suf-
fering by sharing it with her.
He never guessed that she had real
lied her state; that she often COM
muned with herself when she knew
he could not watch her face.
II do not fear DEATH she said, the
night after the doctors visit, while
Yves lay sleeping beside her. II am
going to see God, and l shall see my
mother, and | shall be ready to greet
Yves when he comes to join us on the
shores of the departed. | only grieve
to leave him here alone; he will miss
me so sadly" Then thought took
another, "Oh, it is sad, too, to die
away from the blessed shores Of Brit
tany! What will my poor wandering
soul do among stranger souls and her
etics from the holy faith, who do not
even speak the same tongue? No, my
soul will not rest away from the dear
home land"
Still when morning came she said
no word to Yves. Instead, she strove
to hide her suffering, and to make life
as bright as she could.
But when night returned the same
fancy came with it; it pursued her
Even when she fell asleep she seemed
to hear the waves dashing against the
rocks in the bay, or to see the old
grass-grown chtrch-yard in the town,
where she longed to lie beside her
mother.
Even when Yves asked her why she
noaned in her sleep, she did not tell
1im the weary longing of her soul.
twill not make him sad before the
lime comes" she said. II have made
lim sad enough by my coughing, poor
Yves. | will wait for the end before
speak"
Every day Liszen strove to show
herself more loving, as if she were try
ng to make up to her husband the
years she was taking away from his
happiness.
Sometimes she was so gay, and her
cheeks flushed so brightly, that the
Door fellow deceived himself, and be-
gan to hope against hope; and then
Iiszen grew white again, and his cour-
lge failed. Then he would rush away
lurriedly that she might not see his
sorrow.
The end came at last. She had been
growing weaker and weaker, too weak
% leave her bed; and one day she asked
Yves to go for the priest, to whom she
" as in the habit of confessing. When
he priest left her he promised to re-
urn next day.
In the night Yves, who was watch
ng beside her. saw that her eyes were
ixed earnestly on his. He saw her
ips move, and he bent forward. Liszen
spoke in whisper.
Il am going to leave you, my be-
owed
Yves fell on his knees beside the bed |
md clasped her hand. Jesus spare
ler!" he said to himself. Liszen was
lis guardian angel, the rudder of his
ife. How could he give her up? He
could not speak.
"Yves," She said, softly, 'put your
,ar close; will you make me promise
before | go?".
Yves burst into tears, and hid his
ace on the wasted hand he held.
Il will do what you bid me-" he
obbed. "Oh, Liszen, do not go away"
"Yes--my darling, am going" she
miled; but her voice was very feeble,
t had sunk to a whisper. "You will
axe my body to Brittany and bury it
Her voice stopped.
Yves was sobbing bitterly, but he
l Syod h;S oroS ON tho fana Of his duinnr |