Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-03-12

'1OnOifo" we VIII 20 10 Inem-IO-
morrow, when all is clear"
He FASTENED bdck to Seymour, who
still dozed, only arousing occasionally
to beg for water.
The sister went away, and evening
crept on. The candles vast
ed slowly.
Janeway drew up an armchair, and
there sat watchful and resolute.
The sufferer had grown less restless.
His pulse was hardly perceptible, and
there was clammy moisture on his
brow
Janeway, leaning forward, his chin
lowered, his eyes lifted, looked at the
wasting candles. Perhaps between him
and their flame somePhantom of the past
seemed floating; perhaps some bright
ness like the gold of Amy's hair-the
azure OF her eyes; for suddenly he drew
a hard breath and sprang to his feet.
1T shall not ben' he cried between
his teeth.
The candles had burned out; an
other suItry dawn was at the window.
Janewav, white with exhaustion,
leaned back in his chair. He had
fought hard with Death.
The sun was rising, when voice
came from the bed:
Am l better? Or must / die?'
Then Seymour, stirring, looked upon
the watcher.
philip Janewayr' he said, shudder-
ing. Il thought it was q dream"
Janeway turned his sunken eyes upon
him, but gave no answer.
The man upon the bed moved with
restless, fearful countenance.
What do you mean to do?" he
asked, TREMENDOUSLY. Did you follow
us?''
Follow you?" Janeway's voice
seemed to come from Il distance eff
[ had ever thought to do so it would
have been years ago, not this late day"
He rose. Il am going out for time;
when | come back [ shall have some
thing to say to you"
He seemed to pass unsteadily through
the doorway. Seymour eyes follow
ed him with apprehension.
He was not long away. He returned
and sat down rather heavily. His
pallid countenance was also stern.
Seymour's apprehension was hight
ened to actual terror.
Am | to live or to def" he cried
oat piteously.
BY and by Janeway answered, his
voice still seemed to come from far
away.
1T is five years since" he said.
Give long years! In all that time
how have you done by her? Do not
think to lie to me while Death stands
near"
4 have always loved her." the other
pleaded. ''She has been happy-<she
has loved me. If only [ had not come
to this cursed placer He grew still
wilder, and shrieked and shook Ms
powerless clenched hands az JaneWay.
''Well! You may set and gloat upon
my death! | know that | am in your
power-dying at your curse. But here's
n2y comfort: that she loved me always,
never you! Her heart will break for
me, and yo& shall never have her
baczr'
Janeway's voice seemed to draw
nearer, then fade again away: mo;
her heart will not break.
You will not die" He leaned back as
he ceased to speak; his dead dropped
heavily to one side, so that his face
was not apparent
Seymour was dumb with surprise.
Not die? He felt strangely weak, but
there was no longer that dreadful pain
and thirst He wanted to hear more.
a considerable time elapsed.
'Janeway," he said in a tremulous
tone. But no answer came.
He sat up in bed and repeated his
call-unavailingly.
He slipped out upon the floor and
staggered feebly to the others side.
The candles were wasting slowly
through another night. The men had
exchanged places. Seymour sat wan
and thoughtful in the armchair; Jane
way lay upon the bed, his face CHASTITY,
4 clammy moisture on his brow. He
breathed family and seemed not to suf-
fer much. When the night had mostly
worn his eyes Enclosed, and looking up
he seemed to recognize the other.
''Why are you-here?" he whispered.
Goat once!'
Seymour hesitated.
I will wait until you are better. If
you will tell me what to do-these
remedies"
go, gon' The husky voice was
urgent to painfulness. go back to
her; she must not grieve day"
But"
Go quickly There is something
she must know" His voice grew
stronger for the time. ''She must not
know that you saw me here; give me
your solemn promise not to tell her
that"
"Why?"
Your promise!" A stern light gilt
tered in his eyes.
IF YOU wish it-yes."
when you and | last met, back in
America, five long years ago, was
poor very poor, just struggling with
the world-you remember? After that
after you and She" He gasped
and breathed long, hard breaths for
some moments, then re-began. After
you and she went away there was some
money left me. Ny will was