Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1884-05-08

ia took a few steps forward, then stopped
short, by some mysterious instinct, lust
as the moon shone out clear and bright
once more, its golden sparkle reflected as
bv a thousand broken mirrors in the wa
ter of the lake which slumbered at her
feet. A strange, sharp pain shot through
her heart, as she saw the very rushes
Harry and she had been gathering yes.
terday. Yesterday? A thousand years
ago; when she was happy.
A wild thought flashed across her
brain; she had wished to die; would it
not be better for herself and Harry, yes,
and for that other woman, if she were
lying under those cold smiling waters in
a dreamless sleep? It was only a mo-
ment, her soul was too white and too
brave for more. She recOiled with a
start of horror; but ali! the bank was
worn and smooth; her little feet slipped
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.
It was dark and warm and deliciously
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 it anywhere-and
thought it must be heaven, and was glad
she was done with earth. since this
was so much better. And so she slept
again.
And when next she woke she knew
that the clouds that 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 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 start
ed at the reflection. For all her tangle
Of brown hair was cut short, and there
was 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 weak
ness, for she was very feeble, the bells
burst out clear and sweet and mystical,
in perfect carol of exultant Joy.
"Christmas bellsl isit Christmas?" she
said, why, it was November when I
diedp'
And as Harry turned and hurried to
her side, she smiled up at him and asked
again
christmas? is it really Christmas,
Harry?" but he only bent to catch her
in his arms.
She yielded to his kisses; then sud-
denly she tried to push him from her.
"Harry, you must not-you must not"
she said.
He saw the troubled look in her eyes,
and knew that memory was coming back.
eyes, 1 must" he said, "my little dar-
ling, my blessing, my life! The doctor
says may tell you all about it, for the
worry will hurt you more than the talk
ing; and, oh how I have waited for this
moment to comet It has been one long
nightmare since the minute heard you
scream, and ran up just in time to see
you sink"
'Then it was you who found me? Oh,
Harry"
eyes, you must hear it all. [ came to
your room five minutes after you must
have left it, and there was the timetable
open and your little note, bless it and
so just set off for the station as hard as
I could go. I had almost reached the
park gate when that cry came-off to
the right-and turned just in time"
His voice broke and he bent his head
down to hers.
'Nesta, it was all lie-a vile, infam-
Gus lie, whoever told it. Gladys Traf-
ford and I were always dear old boy-and-
girl friends, nothing more. 1 knew my
cousin Wilfred loved her, and I always
thought she had something to do with
his going to Australia, years ago. It was
only that night she confessed to me that
they had been engaged all these years,
and Wilfred was trying to make for
tune for her sake. [ told her I would
soon put all that right; and then I
scolded her for never having told me be-
fore, when could have saved them both
all these weary years of waiting. Nesta"
for her face was hidden, and she was
sobbing softly-"you will not doubt me
again?"
''Never, never, never! not if you
told me yourself! But, Harry" in
a whisper which scarcely reached his
ear, did you really marry me out of
pity?"
Eyes, my sweetheart-the very SINGER
est pity for myself!'
And Nesta never asked any more
questions CdSseIPs Magazine.