Litchfield enquirer., 1881-03-31
f the men for the doctor, but he stopped

of the men for the doctor, but he stopped
 Nobody can do anything for me in this world, her said. The Lord above knows what is best, and He has called me- e
 She was crying silently. Oh, James, fear have been often impatient with you, she said but meant well, did indeed. Cant I do anything for you before we part2'
 Il think not, he answered, his speech get ting more feeble. I would have been glad to be put at rest about that dark secret, for it has troubled my mind much; Sir Austin was al. ways dear to me. But it does not signify now the uneasiness has passed away
 She bent close to his ear, and whispered. It aroused the fieeting spirit; he sat up in his chair. 'WhatS he cried
 'Yes, it's that, said Betsy. --r-
 The Lord be merciful to her? he aspirated, clasping his hands in application .-
 Betsy bent forward as his head fell back again; she kissed hIs withered lips.
 Perhaps in might have been happier for you had we married, James. We have been happy as it is, always being together, always please=t one with the other; but-perhaps- yOur life might have been a more contented one had we married Dear James!'
 Once more she kissed him. It was all she could do now and it satisfied him. smile passed over the pale old face, beautifying it strangely; and, still holding Betsys hand, James Storm s eyes quietly closed as he en- tered into that better place where there is neither marrying nor giving in marriage; where it will be face to face and heart to heart, without the dimmiug, mystifying veil between.
 The next evening saw the return of Sir Aus tin and he held private conference with his mother before he slept. It was as stormy one as she could make it. His voice was heard, low, firm, uBcOmpromising hers full of raging tempest that melted at last into sobs You have learnt to love her!' shrieked my lady. How dared you?'
 I don't think there was much ''learning' in if. mother he answered I have loved her from the first hour saw her shall love her always'
 You shall never marry her.
 I beg your pardon. have obeyed you in all essential things, mother; wish to obey you still; but must choose my wife my self
 Alice shall be your wife, and no other
 told you, but that you were to angry to hear me, that Alice is to marry Cornish man as her father was. You may put her out of your thoughts so far as I am concerned. her mother is angry, but she is resolved. I should never have married Alice under any circum- stances, and am sorry you have been so un willing to belve it..
 'SLe has three hundred thousand pounds. Yes, those Cornish miners know how to bag the gold. Carlotta has nothing, per- ceive you are going 10 say, mother; and it is true. but have quitss enough for her and for me-
 Not until the next morning did he find out that Miss Donati was missing. How he would have acted, or what he would have was not known, for the house was in too much cOmmotion with other matters. He first learnt then that James Storm, the true and faithful steward of his father and himself, the meek and gentle man, was gone. He learnt also that the house contained secret that which Betsy had called fatal one which sine hsd whispered into the ear of James when he was dying
 The angry passions of my lady, acting upon her previous bodily weakness, had brought on illness Betsy called it an attack She lay iOsensible on her bed Dr. Fall was send for and then the secret was discovered, and had to be declared. Truly It was fatal in its na- ture.
 My lady was suffering from dreadful maj ady which she had been concealing. Its rav- ages were eating away her heartstrings She had made Ro sign, preferring to suffer in si- lence. Betsy had discovered it accidentlly Pheby had known of it for months, and had
  see doctor, A very, very little span of life, at the most but week or two, could remain to her now. So there was fine household for Sir Austin to wake up to this morning; his valued old servant dead, his mother dy- ing.
 With the discovery acting upon her mind, and this new attack upon her body, and the certainty of the speedy death that was staring her in the face. my lady changed. The haugh. ty, self-willed, passionate woman became sl lent and subdued.
 ones, affirmed Rebecca. But for their con- science stepping iu to prick 'em toward the end, they'd die in their evil The Lord sends His christening to these black sheep to save 'em.'
 She let Sir Austin know where Miss Donat was, and let him telegraph to Pheby to bring her back. It was evening when they arrived. The poor, pale, pretty child crept in shrink. ing and trembling, her hand covering her cheek. A shudder caught Sir Austin's strong frame as he drew away the unwilling hand and saw the bruise
 Oh, my darling r he cried out, how can make 1t up to you?'
 Why have you sent for me back again ? she shivered. I dare not stay here
 Yes he fondv whispered, kissing the tears away, you will stay here forever-so long as time with us, shall last.
 Well she was changed-that imperious lady of ours Far from opposing their marriage now, she urged it on; went into fever of impatience lest it should not take place soon enough. That is lest she should not live to see it. A special license was procured: and the clergyman of the parish came to the Hall and married them by my lady's bedside.
 I could not leave her here unprotected after my death, she said to the priest, as if in apology. Her mother was my friend and relative.'
 Hot weather is abroad still, through part ridge shooting begins to morrow. My lady has been in the churchyard two months now, under white marble tombstone that sets forth her virtues. and the maids wear black bows in their caps Betsy has another to mourn for besides my lady and sadness sits in her faded eyes
 Commotion is setting in again, supervening upon the quiet of the last few weeks Brooms and mops and clusters, and womens tongues are nearly as busy as they were In my lsdy's time, for some visitors come to the house to- night for week or two-my young Lady Martyrs relatives Lord and Lady Etcherley, distantly related also to Sir Austin.
 As to myself-well, they have not moved me into the hall, as my young lady once sug gested. The servants said had been with them SO long that they should be lost without me, was like an old friend to them and as my young lady listens to all their wishes. and is as solicitocs to give happiness as my lady was to give torment, am to stay in the old place, the hall kitchen. Sir Austin
 There! l have given warning to strike Time for only few more words remains to me. To say that, puts me somewhat in mind of death: when he gives warning, time is all but over.
 And here come Sir Austin and my young lady into the private garden before my open window. How girish she looks, in her thin black summer dress, and the happy bloom up- on her bright face. They are going to run race down the broad walk. Sir Austin gives her half the distance aud wins by length, in burst Of merry laughter; his legs are long and active.
 You have lost Carina,' he says. sand you