The Washington critic., 1885-11-17

to such thing Z
Then sense of all his goodness and
worth-it mingled feeling of pity at
his distrcss-came over her, and, clasp
ing the palms of her hands together,
she said brokcnly: con- you are so
good like you. am very sorry,
but | am sure--no---l don't think |
could make you happy"
My dear child, he said. with sud
den courage, taking her clasped hands
in his, "is there any one whom you
care more fory"
mo, oh, mol" she said, blushing,
and then suddenly paling. "Thcre is
no one"
Then let me have an opportunity
to win your love. | cant give you
up, dear. The thought of you has en-
tered so entirely into my life that |
cannot go away without a little hope.
You do not hate me, little ouo?"
No, no! she said, in distress, but
/"
Never mind, don't try to explain
yourself or your feelings Let every
Thing be Just MS it always has Re
member that | love you and let me
come and see you often" Pressing
two fervent kisses on her hands he
shot out of the door and was Off be-
fore Hazel had time to turn around.
She gathered up her things and went
straight to her room. Then she threw
herself into large wicker chair, and
began rocking herself violently, and
screaming with laughter. This was
succeeded by fits of crying, and again
more laughter and tears, until, OK
haustcd she dropped asleep in the
chair, with her head resting on the
broad arm. When awakened late in
the day by her cramped position and a
raging headache, she was too miserable
TO think or offer any resistance when
her sister insisted on putting her TO bed.
Ii was so unusual for her to be i'll.
in the days that followed Hazel was
alternately merry and sad, very talk
alive or absolutely silent for hours to-
gethcr. She ate little, and seemed
restless and nervous In the house; would
start whenever the door-bcll rang, and
if it happened to be Colonel Baker she
always tried TO escape to her room, and
was invariably engaged" or mot at
home"
Hazel was coming up the street one
day from the postoillcc. There had
Dttu IL SlOIlll VI oliNb anu NilpN lAlC hiN
before, and the walks were treacher-
ously slippery She was looking over
her letters, when suddenly, right on a
crossing, her foot slipped. There was
horse coming around the corner. She
never knew just what happened; she
struck something and felt herself being
lifted, while well-known voice said:
my God / nave killed herl Oh, my
darling My darling!" Then all sen
saton vanished.
Sometime later, when consciousness
returned, she found herself in bed,
with frightened, fearful group
around her and DR.. Whitbeck calmly
pouring something down her throat.
lie had just put her displaced
shoulder in order, and she felt terri
BILE dizziness in her head. Then he or
dered everybody out Of the room and
lowered window, saying she must
have more air. He wrote out his pre-
scriptions and was ready to leave. lie
stepped to the side Of the bed. Hazel
eyes were closed, but the tears were
running down her temples. He set his
teeth together but it was no use.
Forgive me " he said, in tone of
agonized entreaty. ooh, God !! | might
have killed you "
Hazel opened her eyes very wide.
She gave him look which said plainly,
II love YOU" and with faint smile
closed her eyes again.
In moment he was on his knees be-
side the bed, and, quivering with long
repressed passion, he exclaimed:
Hazel, Hazel, my darling Doyou
love me? Do you? Tell me, love
Oh" he went on, 81 never meant to
tell you this, not until had something
more to offer than an empty hand; but
| love you with all the strength of my
being. Do you forgive mey"
She smiled again and said: There
is nothing to forgive, dear"
Then he bent over and kissed her
again, oh so fondly. "Tell me, dear.
est that you will be mine some day
must hear you say it.
"Oh," she answered, with little
sigh of happiness, II am entirely
yours /"
There is little more to tell. Her re
covcry was rapid, with physician ant
lover in one. The Colonel found on
his mistake. But at the wedding Haze
whispered to her first bridesmaid, Ellie
that she thought first proposals lucky
The Colonel had sent her a lovely dia
mond bracelet for wedding present