The Penn's Grove record., 1884-05-24

silver slasps. "I haven't a single gown
that was NINE before / knew him. lie
has even dressed me out Of charity. His
pity has been more generous than other
peoples love-"
She opened the French window in her
dressing-room and stepped out on the
balcony, whence a flight of steps led
down to the terrace below. She glanced
back at the pretty room, with its Japa-
nese cabinets, and blue and white CHINA,
and the ebony table where the letter to
Harry lay with the light full upon it so
that he could not miss it. Then she
shut the easement sharply behind her
and ~resolutely turned away.
The moon was bright with a titful
brightess-now almost as bright as day,
now hidden behind hurryihg clouds
and it was bitterly cold. Nesta drew
her cloak tighter around her, and tried
to walk fast, but she was desperately
weary, and could only stumble along.
Somehow the way to The little gate had
never seemed SO incomprehensibly long,
Surely she'could not have missed her
way? The moon and the clouds were
playing such pranks that n could not be
sure, and her heart had been too full to
notice all the turns. 1t was as black as
Erebus, a darkness that might be felt.
Nesta took a few steps forward, then
stopped short, by some mysterious IN
stinct, just as the moon shone out clear
and bright once more, its golden sparkle
reflected as by athousand broken mirrors
in the water of the lake which slumber-
ed at her feet. A strange, sharp pain
shot through her heart, as she saw the
very rushes Harry and she had been
gathering yesterday. Yesterday? a
thousand years ago; when she was
happy.
A wild thought flushed across her
brain; she had wished to die; would 1t
not be better for Harry and for herselff
yes, and for that other woman, If she
were lying under those cold smiling
waters in a dreamless sleep? 1t was
only a moment, her soul was too white
and too brave for any more; she recoll-
ed with a start of horror; but, ahl the
bank was worn and smooth; her little
feet slipped on the edge, she threw out
her hands to stop herself, but the frozen
grass slid through her fingers; there was
one short sharp cry, and a pale sweet
face lay still among the rushes in the
silent moonlight.
1t was dark and warm and delicious
ly restful when she knew anything
again. She heard Harry's low voice
before ever she opened her eyes; and
felt his clasp of her hand--Harry's
hand-clasp, there was no other like 1t
anywhere-and thought 1t must be
heaven, and was glad she had done with
earth, since this was SO much better.
And so she slept again,
= And when next she woke she knew
that the clouds which she seemed to
lie on, clouds soft and billowy, were
her own bed, nothing more ethereal;
and she was aware it must be earth
still, but felt it did not matter since it
could be so like heaven, for Harry's
voice and Harry's hand were still there;
and she slept again, smiling gently.
But the next time she woke the hand
and voice were missing, and only
Harry's back was visible in the room
beyond. as she raised herself on her
pillows. And as she rose she caught
sight of herself in the long psyche glass
opposite, and started at the reflection.
For all her tangle of brown hair was
cut short, and there wa no pink-and-
white prettiness now, only great dark
eyes and a small white face. And as
she fell back on her pillow, half from
surprise and half from weakness, for she
was very feeble, the bells burst out
clear and sweet and mystical, in a per-
feet carol of exultant joy.
Christmas bellsl Is it C~hristmas?"
she said. "Why, it was November
when / diedl'
And as Harry turned and hurried to
her side she smiled up at him and asked
again
"Christmas? Is it really Christmas,
Harry2" but he only bent to catch her
in his arms.
She yielded to his kisses; then sudden
ly she tried to push him from her.
"Harry, you must not-you must notl"
she said.
He saw the troubled look in her eyes,
and knew that memory was coming
back.
"Yes, l must" he said, "my little
darling, my blessing, my lifel The doc
tor says l may tell you all about it, for
the worry will hurt you more than the
talking; and, OIL how L have waited for
this moment to eomel 1t has been one
long nightmare since the minute l heard
you scream, and ran up just in time to
see you sink"
E