The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1884-06-06

n VIII uUuBu uA5llCu hCEOb5 Her
brain she had wished to die; would it
not DE better Tor Harry anu Tor herself z z
yes, and for that other woman, if she
were lying under those cold smiling " a
tiers in a dreamless sleep? 1t was only
q moment, her soul was too white and
too brave for any more; she recoiled
with a start of horror; but, all, 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 deliciousIy
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 nothing like it anywhere
and thought ii 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 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 she slept
again, smiling gently.
But the next time she woke the hand
and voice were missing, and only Harry's
hack 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 was no pink and white prettiness
now, only great dark eyes and q 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 mys-
tical, ina perfect carol of exultant Joy.
Christmas bells! Is it Christmas ?"
she said. "Why, it was November
when / diedp
And as Harry turned and hurried to
her side she smiled up tohim 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 nslst not-you must not"
she said.
He saw the troubled look in her eyes,
and knew that memory was coming back.
Yes, | must" he said, ssmy little
darling, my blessing, my life! The doc
tor says / may tell you all about it, for
the worry will hurt you more than the
talking and, OH how / have waited for
this moment to come! 1t 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 me2
Oh, Harry"
Eyes, you must hear it all. Icame 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 out for the station as hard
as / could 60. / had almost reached
the park gate when that cry came-of
to the right-and / turned just in time"
His voice broke and he bent his head
down to hers.
"Nesta, it was all a lie-a vile, infa-
nous lie. whoever toldit. Gladys Traf-
ford and / were always dear old boy
and-girl friends, nothing more. / knew
my cousin Wilfred loved her, and / al
ways thought she had something to do
with his going to Australia.
years ago. 1t was only that night she
confessed to me that they had been en-
gagged all these years, and Wilfred was
trying to make a fortune for her sake.
/ told her / would soon put all that
right; and then / scolded her for never
having told ME before, when / could
have saved them both all these weary
years of waiting. Nestai"-for her face
was hidden and she was sobbing softly
you will not doubt me again 2"
Never, never, never! not If you told
me yourself. But Harry, !" in a whisper
which scarcely reached his ear, ibid
you really marry me out ofpity"
Eyes, my sweetheart-the very sin
cerest pity for myself"
And Nesta never asked any more
qnestions.-From Cassell's Magazine,
London.
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