National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-12-27

"Oh, so gtadW she breathed, with sigh
Of profound content. And she held out
her hands to him, as If mutely imploring
him to take them.
Lie drew chair to her side and seated
himself, and took the little, emaciated
hands and hold them together in his
own.
You are SO good to como! You mako
me so happy | am going to die soon;
but L should not mind If could only
nave you horo sitting by me, holding my
hand to the last-to tho very last ~ she
painted, tightening her clasp upon the
hands that woro holding hers; and then
Clovo Stuart, really forgetting all mcrcen-
airy interests, found 1t in his heart and
conscience to marry Palma Hay, IL she
really wanted TO be his wife.
Why should he not make this poor child
happy for the few remaining days or hours
of hor life?
Palma, will you give me the legal right
to care for your viii you have me for
your husband2" he asked. gently taking
her hand and bending over her.
oh, sir, do you mean it2 Can You
mean it2' she breathcd, gazing up in his
face with childish franknoss, surprise, and
delight--the failing light kindling in her
dark eyes, the fading color flushing in her
wan cheeks.
II do mean It, dear child. Will you
give yourself to me ?" he asked smooth
ing her dark hair with his jeweled hand.
Yes oh, yes, If you want me but
am such poor creatureW she answered,
holding out to him her wasted hand, and
smiling family.
80 be it, thon? he said, lifting the
little hand to his lips.
And the scene ended in the solemn be-
trothal of the young gentleman to tho
dying girl, the appointment of their mar
riaRo TO DO solemnized on the following
SUNDAY noon, and the departure of the
biidegr jom. Reject to mako preparations for
the ceremony
As Cleve left Palma she said to him in
childlike, trustful way:
oh how happy you have made mo! I
rould rather live no,oW
This declaration touched Cleve to the
heart and stirred all his better nature to
It's utmost depths. He resolved to devote
himself with absolute fidelity to the hap
piness of Palma during tho brief re-
mainder of her life. In this mood he
returned to his hotel There he found a l
letter awaiting him from Lamia Leegb.
marked Immediate. He went to his room
and opened the letter. His face flushed
crimson. and then faded into pallor, US ho
read:
No. = FIFTH AVENUE April 3Oth, SPIN.
CleVe, come to me instantly. Go no further
IN the matter We planned. There are no
millions in it, but ruin. Drop the girl like
agrenade and escape destruction. She is
beggar; An heir has been discovered in the
son Of Hays second son, who was supposed to
have died unmarried in California, who takes
precedence OF the daughter of the third and
VINO brings all the documents necessary to
prove him the heir-at-law of the late John
Haywood Hay, of Haymore Come Instantly
to hear all the particulars. LII
Cleve Stuart finished the letter of Lamis
LEIGH. laid 1t down, and covered his face
with his hands. The above we publish as
specimen chapter of this beautiful story;
but the continuation will be found only
in the N. Y. Ledger. Ask for the num-
Der dated January 3, which eau now be |
had at any news Office or bookstore. The |
New York Ledger is the Great Family |
Paper, full Of good and interesting read |
ing, containing. in addition to the stories, |
articles by Bishop Clark, the Rev. DR.. |
John Hall, and other eminent scholars |
and divines. Now if you want paper
that has something in it-something to |
amuse, to entertain, to instruct-the best |
and truest love stories sound, wholesome |
doctrines about right and wrong, and an |
infinite variety of interesting, agreeable |
and diverting articles. subscribe for the |
Ledger. The price is three dollars a |
year. Address Robert Bonner, publisher,
1872 William street, New York. The cost |
is nothing compared to the value of what |
you get. |