Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-02-12
MIIL,HEIM PA, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY II. 1885.


But Eveline shook her head, for, al
though her heart prompted her to say
"yes," she felt that she had no right to
accept the sacrifice her impulsive and
hot.headed loyer was willing to make
for her sake.
"It cannot be-" sho said, mournfully.
at is mad, Quixotic idea. ! know,
from what have heard Mrs. Thursby
say, that you are wealthy"
"Hang the money 10 exclaimed
Ralph. "If you don't say yes, l'll-I'll
go lion hunting in Africa, and get torn
to pieces by wild animals"
But even this terrible threat had no
effect upon Eveline;she was firm in her
determination to do right at any cost !;
she wonld not even tell him where she
lived. And so they parted at the little
railway station, and Eveline went back
to London with less color in her cheeks
than when she had left it.and strange
gloomy look in her beautiful eyes.
"It is all for the best" she thought ;
but life had never been so hard to
bear.
The girl was blave-very-braye and
wanted to do right /; but the struggle
between love and duty sapped her
strength, and laid her on a bed of sick
ness, from which it seemed she would
never rise.
During her illness she was continual
ly calling upon Ralph Vernon, in such
piteous accents that 1t drew tears fro m
the eyes of those who heard the poor
weak voice.
"Mother, I'm going to telegraph for
Mr.. Vernon" said Eveline's sister
Nellie. at is dreadful to look at her
white face and glittering eyes, and to
hear her calling upon his name from
morning to night" "But who is this
Mr.. Vernon ?" asked the poor mother.
helplessly.
II don't know" said Nellie "but
| found card with his name and ad :
dress on it, and / intend to send for
him. 1t must be some one she cares
for, and I don't mean to let her die IL
anything can save her,"
"But perhaps he won't care to come"
said the mother, with the prudence OF
age anu experience.
"Then he can stay away" returned
Nellie, her eyes we. with tears and
there was look of pain in her swee t
countenance, for her m other might be
right, and what would become Of poor
Eveline If there should be no answer to
the telegram
The next two hours were anxious
ones for Nell.
She stood up breathless with eager
ness when someone knocked softly at
the door. In another moment Ralph
Vernon was in the room, and had
grasped her by the hand as if she had
been an old friend instead of a strang-
er.
sis she-?" he could not finish the
sentence, for he feared the worst.
"She still lives" returned Nellie,
and, taking him by the hand, Eveline's
sister led Ralpn into the next room
where the poor girl lay.
Her mother was kneeling at the side
of the bed, but rose Instantly and mo-
toned to Ralph to take her place, and
as he did 30, Eveline opened her eyes
and looked at him.
The sight of that beloved face had a
magical effect upon Eveline. She put
out her weak hand with little cry
that told more plainly than words how
cruel her sacrifice had been, and, as he
gathered her in his arms, her lover rc-
gistered a stern VOW that, If her life
were spared, he would make her his
wife III SPITE of all the world-herself
included. And 50 he did, for Eyeline
recovered from that very i.our, and di-
rectly she was able to leave her room,
there was quiet wedding, and the
two started tor The South of France,
where they remained until Eyeline had
had recovered her health. They are an
exceptionally happy couple, and Grace
Thursby tells her husband that his
brother Ralph's wife is the sweetest
woman she knows.