The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1882-12-14
dy was 20 bid her farewell. Plaintve
and eonorous, the notes fell In the peace-
&nl ,sis.hA -. - - .t....S g. .

and .onorous, the notes fell In the peace.
Suddenly he started, and his bow al
most slipped through his fingers. A Joy
unspeakable pervaded all his being.
The piano, timid at first, then more dis
tinct, was following the violin. It was
Madeleine, who encouraged gradually,
was playing the accompaniment of the
''Elegy." The duo would have been
prolonged far into the night had Mr..
Nay allowed it.. $.
On his way home Henry was silent
and grave. His voice had q tinge Of
sadness when he wished his father
goodnight. Az they parted, he called
him back.
''Father!"
"What is 1t, my son2"
Nothing to morrow"
Henry had changed his mind. He
did not sleep that night As hours
passed away he evoked the memories OF
his childhood to have some idea of
Madeleine's home, and, above all, Of her
person. What was she like? He re-
called to mind the image of the young
ladies he had seen. He could see her,
first slender, graceful and fair, then
dark, with classical features and fiery
beautiful.
The next morning Mr.. Nay entered
Father" said he hurriedly, II have
made up my mind. Will you write to
Dr. Desmarres?"
"Have you thought it we'll over?"
asked Mr.. Nay, growing very pale.
1T ie no risk to run, answered Hen
ry. Nothing can be worse than my
present state. Besides / have reflected
seriously, and am quite resolute," he
added in firm voice.
Mr.. Nay telegraphed immediately to
DR.. Desmarres and two days later the
young and celebrated ocu)ist arrived at
Mention.
"When shall see the light, doctor?'
eagerly asked Henry.
ut will be week; for that time you
will remain in this room, in the most ab-
solute obscurity and silence, but after
that"
"After that-I shall see Madeleine"
thought Henry, who did not care what
more the doctor had to say.
That evening and the next Madeleine
waited in vain. The third day she be-
came sad and anxious. Had the i'm
known musician who understood her 80
we'll grown weary? Had he left the
town? Strange thoughts troubled her.
No, he had not gone. Consumption.
that terrible disease. seemed to gain
ground as the poor child gave way to
her somber misqivings. A terrible pre-
sentiment agitated her.
She hardly lived except for the honr
when her mysterious friend was to APP
pear. The time come, she was at tho
piano playing their favorite melodies;
then, opening the window, bending
down, che would listen and try to learn
something of the dark night.
One evening she fancied she heard
steps on the road. In the thoughtless-
ness of her excitement, she rushed out
in her thin muslin dress, bare-headed.
her shoulders hardly protected by the
light tissue that covered them. Like a
shadow she glided on through the
winding paths and opened the side boot
of the park,
II VAS d ia1borer returning from his
days work, a spade on his shoulder.
Just the he hummed merry tn ne, soon
lost in the distance.
Madeleine remained, leaning against
the wall her burning forehead, and her
mind lost in reverie. She did not feel
the cool evening breeze and the scarcely
perceptible drops of rain that fell Oh her
shoulders. A painful idea absorbed her.
HE will come no 1norev All of q sud-
den q. violent chill shook her from head
to foot: she went in doors, fainting, sick
at heart, and laid down with burning
fever.
Ten days after that fatal evening, Zen
ry Nay in his room, with drawn cur
tains still, was expecting the visit of the
Mention doctor, whom DR.. Desmarres
hid left in charge. fully instructed after
the operation. The success was com.
plete. Henry was blind no longer; but
his eyes were gradually brought to bear
the light. For few days he had gone
without fold over them, and that very
morning the doctor was to open the thick
heaven, the dazzling brilliancy Of the
sun.
The doctor entered, followed by Mr.
emotion. His father led him by the
hand to the window just opened by the
doctor.
"Lookp said he.
Henry screamed with joy and closed
his eyes. Then, opening them again
with rapturous look he embraced the
whole horizon and tried to discover the
way to the villa.
AT last I shall sec Madelinel" he
thought.
At that very moment he perceived
at the turning point of the road priest
in his surplice, with silver cross in hi
hand; then the children's choir, followed
by six women carrying coffin covered
with white sheet; after the coffin
young girls dressed in white and bear
ing tapers, ana closing the procession q
long file Of men and women of all ages
Henry's heart sank within him.
doctor" said he. THAT is 4 youns
lady's funeral?"
YES" he answered, "a charming and
unfortunate child, the victim Of con
sumption. Just imagine, she died q
her piano, as she was playing the cele
brated 'Eley Of Ernst Her name
was
"Madeleiner exclaimed Henry, in 1
stifed voice.
"You know herr" asked Mr.. Nay as
tonished.
NO" murmured tho young man, 'tbu
loved herr!