Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1882-04-06

Deg OF you uOuk snOuluu uhF6 tOla
you so suddenly if ] had thought yor
cared but, then, evs rybody that knows
him loves him. There. I am glad to see
your color coming b. *. They couldn'i
hslp it ii they would, and they wouldn'i
if hey could"
ALI this Miss Lydia said without
pause Of any kind, while Janet sat or
the side Of the bed pale as death, .hel
hands tightly clasped.
"Do you mean that he, Mr.. Denison,
is alive p she gasped, not daring to be-
lievesuch JOY. 81 don't think I quite
understand you"
Sim sure I don't either, and il I
hadn't pinched myself I'd think I was
crazy, and they all say SO, too, and il
this isn't bedlam it must be So"
"Then he is alive p Janet whispered.
Thank Godl Thank God r
A happy mist swan before her eyes,
glad song of Thanksgiving rang in her
ears. She could not listen to Lydia
Denison's excited chatter; what cared
she for the how and why. He was alive,
her friend. and that was enough for
her.
Suddenly these words caught her at
tention.
"He says he was perfectly conscious
all the time he was in the trance-no,
not all the time, but after twelve o'clock
last night, and he knew he was in q
coffin and thought they would put him
on ice, and we never can be thankful
enough that mamma wet ldn't have it
done, and he tried SO hard 30 cry buthe
couldn't and he was afraid they would
shut down the lid and it would have
been murder. But everybody knows
how dearly we love him, and this morn
ing they left him all alone, and he said
you came in."
"Was he conscious, then9s cried
Janet.
s'After twelve o'clock last night he
heard every word that was said, even
when / was crying SO, and declared I'd
keep his room iust as he left it, and,
oh, dear an so happy must do
something. I'd just like to rush into
the street and shout, He's alive i
alive r"
So saying Lydia tripped away and
lefi Janet to her own thoughts.
Three weeks passed, and she sat in
her same quiet corner in the sewing
room, unnoticed as usual. Mr.. Denison
had not yet left his room, and the very
thought of meeting him was dreadful
TO her.
He had heard her confession, of
course, and what could he think Of her !?
The bare idea overwhelmed her with
shame. and she determined never to
sc him again. As soon as she knew he
was strong enough to 60 from one room
to another she weuld leave the house.
Once or twice Mrs. Denison had asked
Janet to relieve the nurse and watclfby
him, but she had always managed to
excuse herself under the plea of other
work.
But what did this mean? There was
shuttle of feet in the hall, the sound
of Lydia's voice. and, behold the nurse
and the butler entered. carrying Her
mann Denison. Miss Lydia followed,
smothered in pillows and shawls.
"There r she expostulated, as he was
laid on the sofa, and she began to ar
range the pillows about him. II know
mother will he furious when che comes
home and finds what have done but
if you kill yourself you viii be satisfied.
The doctor said you were not to stir
out of your room for three weeks more,
and why ycu will insist on coming to
this room of all others, can't imagine.
OF course it will make You sick, and /
will have to bear the blame. Nurse,
you can go now and take rest, for you
do look worn out, and James, too.
Now, Hermann Denison, are you con-
tented?"
Hermann smiled family and closed
his eyes, but did not notice Janet.
As Lydia's back was turned, and she
was absorbed in her own, ceaseless
chatter, Janet ventured to steal long,
wistful look at the handsome face, SO
thin and white now.
Suddenly opening his eyes Hermann
met her gaze with triumphant smile.
that brought blush Of bitter shame to
the poor girls face then he turned to
his sister, and said slowly, with long
pauses between every few words:
81 wish you would-read to me. Get
my copy THE Princess,' please. It's
either in Il % left-hand corner-of my
look-case- or in my under. r.drawer-or
somewhere in the billiard-room.D
ssIt will take ne all day to find il,
said Lydia, rising to obey.
siDon't come back without it, " was
his answer.
Why had he sent her away9
Janet longed to make her escape ; but
to reach the door she must pass him, SO
she sat sewing as composedly as she
conld while her heart was beating SO
wildly.
Soon he spoke.
s'Jaaet."
ssSirl" Janet exclaimed, haughtily.
ssCome here, please"
What do you want Shall I call