Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-08-26
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Nellie Mason did not die, despite
the predictions of her ply
There was q night filled with horror
for her father and mother, and her
uncle Richard; night when the klug
of terrors was at hand, and almost
touched the stricken wolnan'S heart
with his icy fingers.
Mr.. and Mrs. Remington had given
up all hope Of a recovery, bit Richard
Martin said he would not dare not.
lie sat where the light >honc full
on the face of the sufferer and brought
out almost every feature of her beau
tiful countenance, for even the fevers
ravages still left 1t SO. Like statue
he seemed, there was scarcely a move
ment of the body to be observed.
Ode" he said. in tones that be-
trayed trife the real feelings strug-
Cling within him. ''Die no, dare
not, while there is even breath, be-
lieye that possible"
After that he uttered not a word,
till, as the hands of the tiny clock on
the mantel chimed softly the hour of
twelve-midnight, there came a low
moan from the sufferers lips.
Then he rose from his seat, with an
exclamation, almost of joy:
doctor. she will live!"
EYES,"
His patient had been extremely
calm, worn by strivings and battlings
with the fever, and the weakness
seemed just on the point of taking
away the breath of life, when the
change came, and, rather reluctantly,
the physician gave the answer that
proved his representations incorrect.
Richard Martin left the room im-
mediately. A sigh escaped him as he
passed out Of the door.
perhaps we both should have been
better off had she died - he muttered
to himsel
Nellie Mason convalesced slowly.
frame at all easy to build upon. She
suffered-suffered both in body and
mind now, for consciousness soon
awakened her to the events transpir-
ing about her.
Nothing was said Of the sad disaster
from which followed all the trouble
that had come upon her, but one day.
while sitting at the window, looking
into the dreary street, Nellie made
remark which plainly revealed to her
parents that she had forgotten moth
ing-at least nothing relating to her
husband.
Sc! wonder what Henry Mason
would say of his wife, now that her
wealth of hair is gone"
As no reply was made to this
speech, she added:
please him. Where is he p"
This last came rather rapidly, as if
forced by sudden thought.
eve will not talk on so unpleasant.
. subject, my dear daughter,'' said
her father, struggling his shoulders.
"No Nellie, you are not in cond,-
ton to either think or talk over such
dIsagreeable matters"
cit is not SD disagreeable, mother
that is. it would not be if
: Here Nellie paused, and looked at
her parents inquiringly.
what have they done with him?"
she asked.
Mrs. Remington then told her of
her husbands release and departure
from tho city.
She asked no more questions after
that. but fell into reyerie, which
lasted until she was awakened by the
sound Of \ pleasant girlish voice at her
elbow.
She had not even heard the Shar.
ring of the bell or the noise Of tine
opening and closing door, so deep were
her meditations.
why, Nellie, my dear" exclaimed
the voice, how dreamy y u arc
Turning her gaze from the drearv
street to the face of the speaker, Nei-
lie Mason beheld her old friend Of
Woodstock, Bessie Boyd-now Mrs.
Charles Bishop.
''BesSie !"
"Yes, Bessie. I did not hear OF
your illness till yesterday, and here
l am, longing to know how you are
In short time the two friends were
conversing freely. In the course Of
the conversation Bessie told her ''great
sccret'-that she was married.
Nellie sighed when she learned that
her friend had accepted the Doctor,
but did not attempt to reveal his base
ness.
'You need not be dismayed," said
Bessie, with laugh, "for 1 know ali
about I." !, his proposal to married We
'.You dol''
81 do"
"And you forgave him p''
"And forgave him. Why should
lnot? He asked my pardon. And |
know he did not love you. lie was
carried away by fancy-fascinated, if
you will
''You are dear, good girl, Bessie"
81 don't think l am. But then you
look at such things in a different light;
you have had bitter experience
''You know all then ?"
''Yes, all. And | am sorry. But I
think, for all your husband has
brought shame upon you. that he loves
;n at n may be. Yet it is difficult to
This was somewhat strange con-
fession for Henry Mason's vito to
make after the events of the prison.
But, possibly, cool judgment had
something to do with decision.
DO you feel, Nellie, as if yo
could ever live with him again 2"
This question was avoided.
do you know where he is p"