Daily Republican., 1885-06-27
A Sad FATE.
BY II RS Il. BURKE COLLINS.

1
Through the twilight shadows Mill,
crept to my side, and seating herself OF
an ottoman, pillowed her curly head
upon my knee.
1 knew that some confidence wa.
about to be reposed In me, for was hel
only living relative-Millie Beresford' ;,
best friend.
"What is it child?" 1 asked,
laying my hand upon the nut-bro WI
locks.
She glanced up with shy eyes, her
sweet face flushing q little under
my gaze.
Edgar has-has--" she hesita.
ted.
81 know, DEAR" whispered, -" h.
loves you and has asked you to be his
Tho brown eyes dropped.
:" He 10 30 good. Aunt Rachel" ali.
said softly, land love him 80 You
are satisfied with my choice, are You
not?"
kissed her teuderly. was all alone
in the world, and Mile was like an
own child to me.
"Quite satisfied, I returned. "But,
dear, you have been out in the evening
air SO long. and you are not strong, you
know fear that you will be ILL.,"
For the faint of hereditary consump-
ton was in her blood, and was al way
very tender of my one eve lamb. Even
rs spoke saw q slight SILVER creep
over her delicate form, the red flush
faded from her cheeks, and 1 heard a
sound which was daily growing more
familiar to my ears-a slight hacking
cough. -
1t was like o knell of doom to me .
and my heart sank like lead In my bos-
ON.
There was a quick, ringing step upon
the walk outside my window, and a
tered the room.
manly, and evidently very much In
love with my darling. He was wealthy,
and very popular; Mile was poor-he
could take care Of her. The match wa
In every way desirable. was glad to
see the child's future provided for, and
gave my consent freely when Edgar
spoke, as he proceeded to do, in an earn.
est, straightforward manner.
30 the matter was settled then and
there and the two were betrothed.
The days that came and went to
Millie and Edgar were so full OF perfect
happiness that 1 began to believe
in this case at least the course of true
love does sometimes run smooth. He was
perfectly de, oted to her, and they were
never happy apart.
So the time flew by ON rose CO lored
wings; winter was half gone now, and
in June they were to be married.
1t was early springtime that we frs,
met MIR. Hosmer, an elderly mana
widower, and very wealthy-tar more
80 than Edgar Devereaux. Mr.. Hosmer
was presented to Mile, and pro-
ceeded forthwith to fall desperately
IN love with her. 1t being his nature
to settle all important questions at issue
speedily, he sought me and asked 10.
Miles hand in marriage.
or course told him of the engage
ment existing between the girl and Mr.
Devereaux; he was greatly disappoint-
ed and chagrined, but withdrew with
as much grace as possible, which was
all that was left him to do.
In the meantime l was watching
Millie with tender solicitude. The
Indictment season was al ways trial to
her we,k lungs; now could not fail to
see her growing weakness, nor hide the
truth from my own hcart-she was
failing rapidly.
One day in Marcia clustering, un
pleasant season. shall never forget
that day, though live a century,
was passing through a wide hall jus
outside the parlor door, which wa.
standing slightly ajar. l was about to
close it, when heard the sound of vol
ces within the pretty parlor; and act
ing on The impulse of the moment, IL
glanced into the room.
l was quite u aobserved by Its occu
pants. Millie sat in big arm. chair
beside the glowing CRATE, looking fra
gile as a snowdrop in her neat costu ms
of pale blue cashmere, with white lace
at throat and wrists, and white rose
bud, which Edgar had brought her,
nesting amid her brown, curly locks.
At her side, leaning against the mar
BILE msntel, pale and troubled stood
Edgar; his dark eyes fixed upon vacan
cy; 1t seemed to me almost as If he
dared not look her full In the face.
1t is true," he was say ing in low,
constrained tone; 1--WE may as we'll face
the truth now, Millie, and be brave over
it. Your health Is failing every day-oh,
my darling, my darlingr'
He caught the slim figure In his arms
and held her close to his heart for mo.
ment. Surely there could be no doubt
Of his love for her!
Then he released her, and as she sank
back into her chair, 1 saw her press
one thin hand to her side as though IN
acute pain. could see how awfully
white she had grown, yet her eyes
sparkled like dimonds.
set my teeth together, and some
thing compelled me to stand still and
listen. His voice went on coldly
$50, Mile, I have concluded that it|
would not be expedient to margin
your feeble health; for, oh, Godl it'll
would be agony unspeAkable fo- me to1
be left alone just when I would be &C.
customed to my great Happiness. 1t isl
better for US, therefore, Mile, Toto
-
He hesitated. He had the grace to|
search for word with which to break
the crushing blow. She glanced
into his face with wild, frightened
eyes.
" You would not give me up,
EDGAR" she gasped brokenly;
''surely-surely, you would never dol
that?"
He bowed his head.
1t Is best for both of u.s." he said
slowly.