The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-06-28


 it lay his patient. A quick glance around the chamber showed everything neat and tidy, but nothing that denoted a great possession of this worlds goods on the part of its owner. As he ap- preached the bedside the sick woman turned her face up to his, and he was surprised at the marked traces of former beauty, though now c naciated by disease. She appeared to be not yet thirty years of age, ~i:h fair complexion. and dark brown hair, that served as fitting back ground to the pale features. The physi- clan stood for moment absorbed in the though, that he had seen that face some where before, but where he could not re- call It was no time for idle surmises The woman was very i'll and needed at- ten,ion. Seated by her side he listened auentively, while she, in weak voice, de- scribed her ailment. An elderly lady, who acted in the capacity of nurse, would occasionally add some forgotten detail.
 Leaving the doctor with his patient, we return to his home, from which he had not gone long before the expected brother, who had come during the alter noon and taken supper al the hotel, ar rived.
 He was young man of thirty-one or two years of age tall and well-built; the owner of a iine, black moustache-in the curling of which he seemed to take especial pride-and handsome pair of black eyes. Taken as whole, he was certainly nice-looking young fellow. He came from the west, where by in- dustry and close attention to business, he had arisen from the position of news editor, or local reporter, to an elevated place on the editorial staff, while in the local political field, in which he lived, he occupied promising position. He was also stockholder of one of the most in- fluential, and best managed journals west of the Mississippi river.
 For several hours the newcomer en- tertained his hearers with an account of his travels and life in that western country. All evening the conversation vas continued, and only closed when the clock on the mantel marked the hour of midnight. and all retired to their rooms.
 At breakfast next morning the thread of discourse was taken up again, but came to sudden termination when the question was asked of him by his broth CTS wife, if there were not wedding to come of in the near future in which he would be the chief actor.
 The dropping of his eyelids and the solemn cast assumed by his features spoke of inward sorrow.
 Collecting his thoughts he raised his head and said "Sue, shall never marry then, pausing for moment, he added, until marry her.
 There seemed to be such tinge of TO. nance in this reply that all present begged him to disclose the secret that had impelled him to join the order of celibacy. Yielding, hnal.' to their per- suasions, he told them what he meant by the latter clause in his answer, "until marry her.
 Eight years ago, he began, ''l left my home to accept position in a west ern city. Prior to this was one of the liveliest-well, you could say, fastest young men you might find anywhere. For two years occupied my new posi- tion. It was during that time met a young lady from distant city who had come to the town in which lived to teach school. At first was not particu- larly in love with her, although she was a person of great beauty and rare accom- plishments. She had dark chestnut hair, a lovely complexion and fine features. God had painted her cheeks with tha, rare pink coloring that adds so much to 1 the beauty of any girl. and her eyes, though not of particularly lovely color, yet so expressive and so bright, they fairly | danced when their owner had a pleasant thought. She was counted beauty and | l counted myself one of the luckies, of men. It was not the beauty of her face l that won me; it was her noble character. One day, shall never forget it. had closed my office and she her school and we started for walk. On the outskirts of the city was wood, and through it we wended our way until we came to a 1 large moss-covered rock, on which we rested. While seated there she told me the story of her life. Told me of her school days and youthful lovers. Of her indulgent father and fond mother. How every wish was grati6ed by the liberal hand of her parent until graduation day