Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1883-02-22

selfish enough to rejoice in the change
in your position. as it removes what 1
always considered barrier and does
away with the possibility of having
my sentiments ascribed to any mer-
cenary motive"
"The loss Of your wealth by no
means detracts from the beauty of
your person." said Mr.. Stanhope, land
as my wife l can promise you, to-
gether with the love of an honest heart,
all the luxury to which you have been
accustomed"
While thinking over the fond ex-
pressions of Mr. Stanhope and the doc
tor, and wondering if Mr.. Oswald's
love would outlive the change of for
tune also. letter was brought to her
from the latter, which quite settled
that question. 1t was as follows:
My DEAR Mrss-Your communication of
to-day has quite shocked me, and hasten to
and to assure you am exceedingly sorry the
lawsuit went against you. Business prevents
me calling on you to day, but will take an
early opportunity of doing so.
am yours respectfully,
HUGH OSWALD.
"One of the three disposed of, ;"
thought she. "Mr. Oswald wanted
my wealth, that is evident, and is sorry
the lawsuit went against me. Very
sorry, no doubt. His candor is worthy
of admiration; but how about the
others whose love is still undimin-
ished p
A few evenings afterward, in the
presence of both lovers, neither of
whom had any idea that the other had
proposed, Edith expressed herself as
not feeling at all well, and retired. On
their calling TO inquire for her the
next day they learned from Mrs. Gray
she was no better, but, on the contrary,
much worse, and under the care of her
physician, DR.. Musgrave. They would
see her, but the doctor had given posi-
tive orders that no one should be al
lowed to disturb her. Every day
brought the two lovers, each to be an
swered as on the former zoe:
"Not any better yet, and cannot see
you"
But one day to this was added the
further information, relative to her
ailment, that DR.. Musgrave said she
had the smallpox.
This rather alarmed both gentle
men, and the visits of Mr.. Stanhope
became less frequent; and when he
learned in confidence from Mrs. Gray
that she would be frightfully marked,
he came no more to inquire for her.
Not so, however, DR.. Norton. Day
after day he came to Mrs. Gray's. and
at length was gratified to hear that
the doctor had expressed himself as
confident that the crisis was past and
she would recover.
During her convalescence he was
very assiduous in his attentions, and
Mrs. Gray was made the bearer of
many tributes of affection to Edith
trifiing in themselves, but not, there
fore, less expressive of his feelings.
al have good news for you to-day,
sir" said Mrs. Gray one morning as
DR.. Norton entered.
"I am happy to hear you say SO.
What is it?"
Miss Lyle is able to be up. She is
out of bed"
"That is good news, indeed" re-
turned the doctor, "but / thought it
might have been more pleasing
"Why, what did you expect?"
"That L should see her, perhaps"
"Oh, now, doctor, do have patience
yet little longer, and no doubt you
shall. If she sees anybody, know she
will see YOU
"If she sees anybody? What doyou
mean ?"
"She is SO much changed in appear
ance she don't care to see any one who
has seen her before-her beauty is en-
tirely gone"
Don't say entirely, Mrs. Gray. The
beauty of her soul remains, and is be-
yond the reach Of every malady.'
Yes, that's so. There, she is ring
ing for Inc. Excuse me, DOCTOR"
Zone moment, Mrs. Gray. Will
you please ascertain when it is likely l
may see Miss Lyle?"
Yes, doctor, il | possibly can"
Mrs. Gray soon returned, and said
Miss Lyle had consented to see him
the following evening at 8.
"But 1 just tell you," said Mrs.
Gray, as the doctor departed, "you
will be much surprised when you see
her."
The next evening at 8. DR.. Norton
was at Mrs. Gray's, and was told by
that lady that Miss Lyle was in the
parlor to receive him, bus was in the
dark, as she did not wish the doctor
on first entering to see the change in
her features.
When their first greeting was over
and Mrs. Gray had left them alone to-
gether, Edith said:
Doctor, 1 am fully sensible of your
devotion in continuing to address me