Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-04-20

eyes.
"Then YOU don't know, you haven't
heard that Kitty is She was very Ill
with pneumonia. We left her in Mon
treal in the hospital there, and one of
the girls heard yesterday she was dy-
ing
Dying, Kitty dying His kind, merry
hearted little comrade, with the fresh
cheeks and ringing laugh, who never
complained of toll, or care, or poverty;
who was always rich enough to give
kind words, and looks, and little acts of
love. Kitty, the sweet, true woman, who
had taken his heart from his breast |
Dying He staggered back q little aud
leaned against the wall Then he knew
that some one had put glass of water
to his lips, and felt the wind blowing on
him from the open door.
''Kittyw
But she does not stir to answer him,
lying so quiet on her pillow--daTk lashes
resting on the wasted cheek, and her
little thin hands folded against her
bosom. The wide, lofty room is full Of
narrow white beds; nurses are gliding
about in their neat uniform, with a
soft murmur of talk, and Jack, pale,
haggard and travel-worn, is stand
ing by Kittv's bedside. Here, in this
haven of waits and strays, he has found
her at last. His search is ended, and he
stands now, with breaking heart. look
ing down at the little face so still and
grave, that used to welcome him with
such happy smiles and bushes. He
stoops at last and lays his lips on her
clasped fingers, and her eyes-too tran
quil-ah too tranquil unclose and meet
his own.
''Ah, my poor boy, my poor, old Jack !
So you have comes" She clasps his
strong, brown hand between her own,
and lays her cheek against it with q
smile of deep content. IT knew God
would hear me- | prayed so earnestly to
see you once before--before die"
s'Oh. Kitty, Kittyp He can say no
more for tears he buries his face in the
pillow, his hoarse, dreadful sobbing
shakes the little bed. Then, too, her
own tears flow silently down her wasted
cheeks. She makes no sound or murmur
of complaint. but her frail hand smooths
and touches his bowed head from time
to time with q tenderness beyond all
stained, anguished face, looks at her
with eyes in which all the old light
seems quenched for ever. Then she
speaks to him, her voice scarcely louder
than whisper in Its heart piercing ten
derness:
. ''Dear, best Jack-kind, kind, good
boyl But knew you would come.
How did it happen, how did you find me
so far awayi"
. followed you," he answers, in a
low stammerin0 tone. 81 came from
New York, knew should find you.
Oh, God, little dreamed it would
be herel Never mind how came.
Oh, Kitty :. and you left me you left
me. Do you know that my heart is
broken?-it is broken, dear! Do you
believe ID wg'-with great heart
rending sob-''now, when / tell you
again you were all to me woman or
angel can be to man. Will you believe
it. Kitty-now-at last2v
''Poor Jack - she says. with something
like the ghost of her old girlish smile.
Il am not much to love now, am I?
There 10 very little left of Kittyl'
'sNo good looks, " he answers. slowly.
''No health, no JOY, no strength, no
brightness, but all that is worth any
thing on earth to mel And you speak
of dyingq TLen I will, too. can't live
Kitty, have no use for lifel''
'sDo you love me like that2 Is it
really true" Her dark eyes widen with
q sort of childish wonder. ibid you
come all this long way to find me be-
cause you love metz
'sBecause / could not live without you.
Because will not live. Do you think
there is anything now care fort Why
should / try to live2D
but You are SO young. dear, " she
says, pitifully. 1.-THE world is all before
you-where to choose"
my world is here" laying down his
face on her hands again. my only
world Kitty, whatever happens. oh, at
least, you will marry me now2 You will
let me have that one poor comfort to
call you my wife. if only for a day. an
hour. knew you never loved me. Kit
IL, 1 don't speak Of that. / don't ask
for it,
''Oh, hush, dear, hush p she whispers,
gently, faint color steals over her sweet,
worn face. II loved you always-from
that first moment in the dark lonely
street-and when sent you from me,
and when left you without word or
sign always, always. every day and
hour. And was glad to die would
not take your pity, Jack, ? with flash
Of the old pride, land life seemed moth
ing without your loveI''
But with nv love. Kittv2' he SAYS.