Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-05-25

manned a secret hope within me that,
on cool reflection, she herself would
refuse.
/ determined to consult lawyer, in
whose secrecy l could confde, and
make such arrangements as were abso-
lutely necessary,
did so, and awaited results
That night we were to go to party.
We did so. But not word passed
either of our lips on the way.
During the evening the voice of some
one singing attracted my attention.
The tones seemed familiar; l could not
be mistaken, the voice was hers.
When it was finished she raised her
eyes for moment, and commenced
another sonG-one / had never heard
before-the story of a proud heart
brokenl
Then she ceased and rose from her
seat, but so white was she that feared
she would faint.
We soon returned home. The dis
tance was short, but the time seemed an
| age till we reached our house. l would
have given worlds to have spoken and
to have told her all-all my sorrow, all
my repentenee-but 1 could not; my
tongue Glove to the roof of my mouth;
nor, indeed, until after she bade me
good night, could utter word.
Then, and only then, stammered
out request that she would remain a
few moments.
She closed the door, and returned to
her chair, raising her large dark eyes
inquiringIy to mine,
Fanny" l said at last-I had not
called her so for many months before
Fanny, will you sing me those songs
you sang to night?"
Certainly, if you wish it." she re-
piled, and seating herself at the piano,
she sang them again, in clear. calm
tone.
L had determined, when the songs
were concluded, to seek a reconciliation.
bat the demon, pride, whispered,
"Will you be less firm than she? This
cannot last-why humiliate yourself?"
Alas, l listened and obeyed. suf-
fered the last opportunity to recall our
lost happiness to escape.
Pride, the tyrant, was obeyed, and 1
suffered her to leave the room with a
goodnight.
went up into my own lonely cham
ber, and sat down and pondered on the
events of the evening. regretting bitter
ly my folly in suffering my pride to
master me.
1 heard my wife moving about her
room, which adjoined my own, and
then suddenly heavy fall and a low
moan.
1 rushed into her apartment, and
found her extended on the floor.
I raised her in my arms and to my
horror blood was streaming from her
mouth.
The truth flashed upon me at once
she had broken a blood-vsssel-she
would diel
l sprang to the bell In few min
utes,-minutes which seemed an age
the servants entered the room, bnt stag
gered, horror-stricken at beholding,
their beloved mistress apparently in the
agonies of death.
"The doctor!-a doctor!" / shouted.
''She will die-she will diel"
In a second they all went but one,
who was sobbing and praying while
she wiped the blood from the blue lips
of her expiring mistress.
Oh wnat agony suffered during the
interval which ensued before tire arrival
of the physicianl
1 called her by the dearest names; l
begged her to speak one word. l en-
treated her to forgive me-only to smile
once moro.
She slowly opened her large eyes; a
slight smile passed over her face, and
she was-dead!
Just then the physicians entered, and
I.begged and prayed of them to exert
their skill to save her.
cit will be useless to attempt it, was
their passionless reply; mo human
power can restore life. :"
l did not believe them. My wife was
not, could not be dead. clasped her
in my arms; I kissed her brow, her lips,
and all became blankl
Several months elapsed ere recover
ed, and since that time my days have
been passed in tears and in prayers at
her grave, my nights in dreaming Of her
goodness, her love, and my terrible sin.
Years have rolled away since she w0s
| consigned to the tomb years of suffer-
ing, of remorse, in which clothed my
| spirit with sackcloth, and heaped ashes
on my head. My deep repentance has, l
fervently hope at length procured for
giveness. Last night she smiled upon
me in my dreams, and beckoned me
away. 1 most joyfully acknowledge the
summons. Ere many days ] shall cross
the portal of that mystic land where
sorrows come not; and forgetting my
crime. shall abide with my angel for
| over and ever