Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1881-03-31

IN the WOTIu~d PJoi VShue' H''NA
which the first rough touch had cast,
broken and crushed to the ground?
They would all grieve for her at first
Frank would be especially sorry. But
Lena had grown strangely wise and
foreseeing lately; she knew that In
the years to come, when the grass
was green on her grave and her name
onlv a sweet sad memory, Frank
would turn to Agnes with love deep.
er and more enduring than be had ev-
er given 10 her.
She was lying on the couch and
che looked up with a faint smile into
Franks face as be spoke.
DO you know, if all had gone we'll
and you had not got such d stupid
cold, you would have been my wife
three days now, little one?" he said;
touching her hair with tender
hand.
Don't be vexed, Frank, dear" she
said very softly; somehow | don
think | shall ever be any ma 8 wife
nov. I think | am going to die. No
1t Is not ouIy my fancy as Frank
broke III wiki hasty rea 'snrng words,
II heard what the doctor saiI to
\ gnes THIS morning; and should mt
care much if it We're 40, for you-~von
will be scrrv ! know.
Sorry! Oh, my darling don t talk
like thar crled Frank. II cant
bear to les y 4; aud you could get
well if YOU ,riel. The doctor said 80
oace. Len, wont you ter my sake,
try2"
II don't think he would say SO
now,' she said, signing ~esIly; "and
| am so tired, | cant. Frank when
YOU have been working hard all day,
or it has been dull and dIsagreeabte,
YOU know how nice IT is to g. 10 bed
and forget it all? Well, | ieel just
like that now. ! am SO t!rel; | want
to have good long rest; and l1llnk
the girl went on dretm!Iy, when |
wake and the morning com s, It Will
All be right. shall tee. quite well
and happyl"
When The morning CO a1sl 1t was
very near now. Already the eholt
day OF Lena life WAS drawing TO a
close. The sna,iows OF the night was
last passing away aud the day break
VAS close at huii. As If in answer to
uer uuuttered ont t-lv-nt prayer, Ce-
cll came home ag,ln, He Was terri
oIy sorry to hear OF Lena : Illness,
lie went down to the Mill at once and
asked to see Agnes, who, though
lrish,en.d at the thought Of john $
anger, could not resist his earnest
wish TO see LENA ouCe more, she led
hm inro her Iootn and left them alone
while he sad his last farewell
oh, my :laring-and it vas all nv
tanl'!' cried Cecil, in an agony Of re-
morse, kneelng down by her couch
and pressing his lips pass ona'ely to
the white fingers that lay trembling
II his firm clasp
But lena WAS perfectly happy and
contentel. Her one wish had been
granted. Cecil was with her again,
and she could now deuart in peace
She lay back and smiled at him with
wonderful brightness in her blue
eyes
II never thought l should see YOU
again" she whispered; "but I am so
glad And you must be 50 sorry,
dear" She put ner hand caresslngy
on his cu,ly hair. Those cid DAYS!
T1ey were foolish, l suppose; but they
we're very pleasant all the same! Do
you remember the day we rowed up
to the island and got all the lilies snd
how | laughed when you slipped into
the water and stood drinking on the
bank?'
II remember. It was all Cecil
could say Clearly the scene rose be-
fore him-the bright June sunshine,
the cleaning water, the boat stranded
among the lilies, and the bright ced
girl laughing under the shadow Of her
broad hat.
Lena grew tired after while-verv
little tired her now-and Agnes came
to the door and signed to Cecil to re.