The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-02-03
as veil as by day-worked to keep him-

as veil as by day-worked to keep him.
self from thinking.
And SO some months went by. He
was looking miserable at last, and Sic.
declaring be was really i'll. begged him
TO take rest. Her anxiety chasing awss
her latter reserve. she insisted on his
seeing physician but ne steadily refus-
ed.
She begged then that he might send
for Stask Percival
Wieasshe said that ! looked at Gerald
--as hat Spoke volumes.
esshe jdst wanted an excuse to have
him again near her. thought, and my
glance told that and more
Then there came into Gerald's blue
eyes an expression that d. fed my UNDER
standing. could not tell if it was de.
iance OF me or curious sort of resig.
nation to the will of woman whom be
worshiped with all his soul.
"Yes." he said languidly, "send for
Percival il it will relieve your mind"
The next day Mark Percival came,
and for long while he and Gerald were
closeted together, while Ste and my sis.
ter and myself we're told not to 90 near
the room, but when Mark Percival came
out 10 the hall Ste epied him from the
lawn, and in moment she vas by his
side speaking intentlv, so intently tba
she never saw nv eyes watching from 6
bsy-window in the morning-room, tha
jutted out, giving a view of the rest o.
the building.
BY and by they went down the step,
side by side into the garden, and | hearc
him say, in rather low voice.
He must stop work and rest little
Mrs. Fame He complains OF a prick
ing sensation in his right side and shoul
der. do not like that. 1t is rather un
favorable. Still. with our united care
and rest, / think we shall bring hin
round"
| And Ste answered him with smile
could not see that, and believed tha
she was young and sanguine and tha
she never realized her husbands danger
How could l give her credit for this
when ! suspected her-suspected her a,
foully as / could-that it was not Gerald
shen she loved, but Mark Percivalf
| Gerald was resolved to work on ID
spiteof everything We we're not rich
be said, and work was necessary foI
several weeks.
She, instead of passing the hours iu
his studio. as she used to do, would re
main in her room With her door locked
-sulking. told nv sister.
At last one day blow fell on rs all
"a dreadful blow, and harder to me
since l believed I had helped to bring i,
that perhaps l was really the instru.
ment that had dealt 1t. Had not made
my brother unhappy perhaps be would
not have worked SO necessarily in the
VAN hbpe " bsnfshing thought.
She found him one bright summers
dav apparently lifeless beside his easel.
and for weeks he fingered, lowering, as
it were, between us and eternity.
And his vile, remorseful of her treach-
cry and want Of faith, seemed to have
no thought but him.
She never left him for q moment, and
if she slept it was bv snatches only, with
her head against his pillow, when the
slightest movement would awake her.
After what seemed an age OF anxiety
10 us, the doctor said be would live bu,
never more to work, for Gerald's right
arm was paralyzed.
] had been growing less bitter in nv
feelings toward Ste during my brothers
illness she seemed to be really devoted
to him., But when they said he was not
to work any more with his brush, look
of triumph came into her eyes which
puzzled me, and again l began to doubt
her, and the doubt grew stronger when
Isaw her meet Mark REcival on the
porch, and staud for manv q minute in
earnest whispered conversation.
Once-from behind laurestinus bush
Il saw her place her hand on his arm
ami look up into his face, her great,
wild, dark eyes full OF glittering tears,
while she said with quivering lips:
"How much longer7 Oh! these last
weeks have been centuries to me. And
if-oh | if you have been deceiving me,
hope-"
"Everything!' be answered. interrupt.
ing her, and taking the mite Of hand
in his 81 tell you that you have not
many more days to wait, and then we
shall both be very happy"
Upon this Ste smiled into his hand
some ewes with strange, wistful, yearn.
ing look that drove me almost Wild with
the bitterest anger and suspicion.
Now dare not even look back to the
horrible feelings that filed my heart with
regard 10 the woman whom my brother
had made his wife, and IN whom he had
placed his happiness, his infinite faith
and more than all, his honor.
But Gerald was in weak and critical
state, and I did not dare to warn him of
what feared He was very loving and
tender to her, and ! could see his eyes
follow her slight figure wherever she
moved with an expression OF mingled
affection and doubt that was sad to look
upon.
When one day she heard Mark Perci
walls voice at the door sic daried out of
the room to meet him, forgetful Of a
mass OF red roses in her lap, with which
she was making bouquet, and needless
o. the lovely fragile flowers, in her haste
and evident agitation she trod out their
beauty at her feet.
Then heard Gerald murmur to him
self:
"Poor little one! She is 80 Young
l hoped to make her happy, but am so
grave and quiet that she cannot love me.
God give me strength TO bear IT.
] told nv sister OF this, but she would
hardly listen. She had bewitched her,
and she declared that nv brothers wife
was q thoughtless child, nothing worse.
The death OF the summer bad come
and autumn brought its wailing wind.
and the leaves died in company With the
long. bright davs, wrapped in splendid
csrements of rainbow hues And Ger
aid grew no better. The truth was that
be did not care to live.
Ste was 10 state Of feverish excite
ment, which seemed TO grow worse each
hour.
Z