Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-12-27

VIsltOr, ana III that Drlef glance ETC saw
how he was aged, how he stopped, and how
white his thick hair was
have come back 10 her. My pride
has broken down at last" said Eric,
hoarsely, seating himself unlimited
The old man did not speak.
8 1t nearly killed me TO find that she had
net been true to me-"
True to you, sir what do you mean ~
asked Master Linstiee, his eyes flashing
Have patience"
Explain yourself this moment, said
Master Linstice, in voice that even he,
proud Eric Durefoy, felt he dared not dis
obey.
"Where is she-take me to her-I will
tell her, said Eric, looking round the
familiar room.
Explain yourself to me at once, re-
peated Master Linstice, his voice treIn-
bling.
Then listen. I went to Jersey, and
amongst my writing materials-June had
helped me to put them BY found this
letter, and Eric took out letter from his
pocket book and handed it to Master
Linstice.
The latter opened it, and read a letter
commencing, Ny Darling June, and go
ing on with many professions of endear-
ment and affection, referring to an engage
ment, mutual love, and much of the same
kind, and signed " John Harvey"
"Well?" said Master Lipstice
q" Hdf" said Eric. -" When June had
pledged her word to me that / was her
first love-that she had cared for no one
else -
why did you not ask an explana-
ton? asked Master LinstiCe, still holding
the letter in his hand
- RapafrGp | vpnS tnn ,,rn,rl - sold E'rip
humbly enough now. Il would not ask
it; l was so angry at being deceived. But
| can live without her no longer. | have
come to ask her to forgive me-to take me
again, and God knows | will do all can TO
make her happy. ! will forgive if
You have nothing to forgive said
Master Linstice. The letter was not to"
O. Not to June :"
"No-it is Jane 1t was a letter sup
pose her cousin Jane left behind her three
years ago, when she was staying here. She
was engaged to Mr. Harvey and is mar
ried now to him." said Master Linstice,
YEARLY.
Eric snatched the letter. Yes He had
made a mistake; in his anger he had mis-
taken Jane tor June. Oh, the anguish Of
that moment!
Take me to her-take me to her, my
darling that doubted !" said Eric, bowling
his head on his hands.
. ! can't, sir said Master Linstice, SIM
ply, for my little June is dead"
One look, and Eric saw in the old mans
face that it was true, and, overcome, he was
speechess.
When?'
g Last September She fretted sony
sweet lassie, she was so sore-hearted at
your leaving her, she died She had the
best advice-she had all, but nothing did
her good"
For long time the two men sat silently,
and that time was one never forgotten by
either.
A storm Of resentment and anger swept
over Master Linstices loyal old heart as he
saw the man who had so wronged his June.
He could have murdered him almost then.
He was silent, but the storm ragged fiercely.
And Eric This was what his pride
had brought him TO. He had found the
letter, read it before he knew what he was
doing-and he was too proud to ask any
explanation. The terrible suffering con-
centrated in that time was so great he felt
that indeed it was hard punishment
Then at last Master Linstice spoke, and
told him of Junes message OF forgiveness.
Where is she laid?' asked Eric, pres
entity.
The old man took him across the path 10
the churchyard
AS they went, Eric thought of the day
when June had taken him to show him the
old churchsshe was SO proud OF. He re-
membered how she looked then on
that bright, sweet September day, and
how pretty the place had seemed,
with the Virginia creeper, and then the
flowers in the garden-the very smell came
back to him, and the picture of June more
wildly than anything. Again he saw her
sweet blue eyes, her soft yellow hair, and
heard her clear young voice. Now all was
changed.
On this Christmas Eve it was bright
moonlight over the snow, and the church
looked weird in the white light.
1t was so bright q moonlight that as he
came to the little white headstone at the
head of snow covered mound he could
read the words quite plainly
JUNE,
AGED % YEARS.
peace.