The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-02-16


for his comfort, hoping he would not
recognize her. But she was mistaken !;
a hot hand was laid on hers, and a
familiar voice said, "You have come.
knew you would"
eyes, | am nurse, come in response
to your physicians order"
"No; you put it wrongly; you are
Teresa Stanton, come because ], Leroy
Jones, sent for you"
Not at all | would have come to
an utter stranger. l did come just that
way. Now let me quiet you
Il have you at last that is all l want.
Dc you know | have never loved any
one else-never. You were quite right
not to marry me deuce of a life you'd
have led ~
''Hush :. hush you are injuring your
self" she said, softly, trying to stop his
impetuous talk. But he was not to be
stopped he had grasped her hand and
was kissing it.
"Nonsense As if | didn't know |
had come to the end of my rope. Put
your hand here on my heart. How is
it going fast, like trip-hammer 1t
will stop soon. But l have you to look
at again. See," and he drew out hit
tie locket from beneath his pillow, where
it lay beside his watch and trinkets ::
this is all l have had these ten years.
Do you know yourself to be that girl !?
Isn't she beautvo But let me look
at you. Turn on the gas. No, don't
leave me either; you might not come
back. You are altered Tessie but you
are lovely woman still. You were
wise little thing; you saw what poor
stuff there was in me but l loved you,
Tessie, and now. Oh, I've no pain
Don't look SO distressed. | fear my
time has come. Nervous shock, you
know. | feel very weak. Give me some
brandy. Kiss me, Tessie."
1t is the fourteenth day of February,
and DIR. Gansevoort is mounting the
stairs of New York boarding house.
He has a patient on the top floor for
whom he has more than a scientific in
terest, and as he enters the room, which
he has at last reached, he looks with
anxiety toward the dormer-window filled
with flowers. The patient is standing
there with watering can and scissors,
tending her plants. His anxiety is re-
lieved when he sees the little tinge of
color on his patients face, and the glad
bright glance she gives him.
$50 you are better to-day" he says,
taking the offered hand and giving it a
kindly pressure.
eyes am getting quite strong again.
| shall soon be able to resume my
duties"
"You need not be in haste to do that.
By-the-by, do you know what day this
isl"
ooh, yes there is my calendar. A
woman of business must be accurate"
"a woman of business-hum it
seems to me you've been that long
enough; but do you know this is day
of sentiment, a day dedicated to saint
whose shrine is the human hearth:
ooh, Frank ~ was the laughing re-
monstrance.
''You seem to think | am little be-
side myself, but as | am bearer of dis
patches | thought best to prepare you
for what is coming" And he drew
from his pocket sealed envelope.
"What \ valentine for me ~
REALLY, l don't know what you cali
it. Perhaps being such business wo-
man, you may regard it as bill, re-
ceipt for services rendered, etc, etc"
1t certainly was valentine, tinted and
perfumed, rose-wreathed and lace-pa
pered, and the verses were as tender as
the song of the nightingale. But what
fell futtering to the floor?
A bit of plain white and black paper
a scrap from Il check-book-with
"Pay to Teresa Stanton's order" on it,
and fifty thousand dollars in the corner.
The smiling face became grave, the
soft brown eyes filled, and bent silent,
questioning gaze upon Frank.
ITS none of my doing, Teresa, as
you see. Leroy's an altered man. He
has always loved you, and now he seeks
to show his gratitude for all your kind
care"
But, Frank, l can not accept this
unless-unlesS-
You also accept the giver," said
Frank, smiling, as he finished the SEN
tence for her. THAT is just what he
wants, Teresa. l am a poor diplomatist,
as you see, for l ought to have used
much more circumlocution; but l will
send Leroy to do his own counting"
BUDDING GENIUS CRUSHED AGAIN
From tie st. Louis Republican.
ss(lt tho ,,,a1,ouar o''