, 1882-07-07

moment, asked:
Are you doing right, June"
She did not reply, but gave me a
look Of such pitiful inquiry, that l
was entirely overcome.
But | was determined to make one
more trial. so | summoned fresh cour-
age, and said:
June, | have seen your struggle,
and see the result Of it in your face
to-day. You have not asked my ad-
vice, but | shall give it all the same.
Do not, beg of you, cast away your
lifcshappi ness for foolish fancy"
Iva frightened the next moment
for she threw herself into my arms,
and wept in perfect paroxysm of
grief and despair, and | let her weep
until she was exhausted, then L bathed
her face, brushed out her lovely hair,
and as she had become calm l kissed
her and turned to go. but she caught
my hand and threw me down beside
her.
Il want to talk to you, Cora" she
said. II have borne my trouble all
alone, and only God knows what l
have suffered in giving up all that is
dearest to me ON earth. l have been
so happy, so very, very, happy, that |
scarcely thought of the future, until
Harry became rich, and insisted upon
speedy marriage. He expressed a
wish that my wedding dress should be
white, and l was planning how l
would have it made, when all at once
l remembered thisr (she glanced
over her shoulder as she hespoke). I'm
az ne us at the altar, Cora" she added
bitterly. Harry so straight and tall,
and handsome, with little, stunted
hunchback me for his bride"
Hush, Junew l cried, but she did
not heed me.
Then came thoughts Of his beautl
full home, where L, the only unsightly
thing, should mar the whole, and
where all his love could not exempt
me from the pitying sneers of care
less people.
20, Cora! / am not fit to become
wife, much less a mother. Why did /
not think of it before l cannot
will not blight the life of the noblest
man on earth through the feeling
which he has mistaken for love, but
which time will only develop into
pity"
Her face was drawn and white,
but she continued in a voice in which
there was no more bitterness, but
which was so full of despair that 1
wept to hear it.
ITO day is the last one for Harry
at the mill; tomorrow he is going to
New York on business and to make
arrangements for our wedding tour
abroad; but that can never be, for to-
night | shall tell him that it is over
that l can never be his wife. He
will be indignant, hurt and unyield-
ing, but he cannot make me change
my mind, and by-and-by, when the
sting has worn away, he will see the
wisdom of my decision and thank
me for it; but oh, it is so hard to give
him up, 1 love him so dearly. i have
prayed to die, but death will not
come"
She ceased talking, and leaned
back in her chair, with closed eyes,
pale and motionless. / was distressed
and grieved, but knowing that she
had spoken the truth, l felt that any
word | could say would be bnt mock
cry. Even my presence. seemed an in
trusion on the sanctity of her mighty
sorrow, so / stole noiselessly from
the room, out of the house and across
the lawn, and had just placed my
hand upon the gate, when a loud re-
port, like a terrible peal of thunder,
rent the air and shook the very
ground.
Ipaused, l stunned and bewildered.
Involuntarily L glanced at the sky, but
not a cloud was visible.
Then came the sound of distant
cries of distress and dismay, and in a
moment more the streets were filed
with people running-running-
where?
How long / stood there, incap-
able Of any thought save that some
thing terrible had happened, / do
not know, but presently a man came
running to me and told me to go and
tell Mrs. Andrews that the men were
bringing Mr. Brooks home and for
her to be ready for them.
MIR Brooksr / screamed.
Yes. Didn't you hear?-don't
you know7 The boiler at the mill
exploded and killed the engineer, his
assistant, and Mr.. Brooks!'
"Killedr' / cried, but the man was
gone and | crept into the house.
/ found Mrs. Andrews, but she
had heard of the disaster and was
wringing her hands and rocking
wildly, moaning over and over:
Poor Jure! Oh, who will tell Junep
| delivered my message, and telling
her to keep the men as quiet as
possible, 1 stole up to June's room.