Bridgeton pioneer., 1885-06-11
of Count Won Llndenneim leaving their

of Count Won Llndenhelm leaving their
house that day.
"Or his room" Mr. Lorraine added.
"He has had bad night, and is fever
ish and i'll this morning. | hope" with
unusual sharpness. that Mrs. Robert
son is sufficiently grateful for her imp,
and will not encourage its tlower-gath-
ering propensities."
sydney, who was walking across the
room, stopped and kissed the gray head.
"Ah. she was grateful, father, we
know that; and even We" with little
smile, would not have had it ether
wise. Although" after moments
pause, there certainly are great many
children in the world"
And only one Esme Won Lindenheim,
eh?"
She did not answer; but moment
later began arranging some faint-scent-
ed cream-cOlored roses and fern leaves
in glass.
"YOu can take them up with you,
father, when you go; it will show that
he is not forgotten. And tell him that
though l grieve for the reason, still |
am glad he is not going away to-day.
You are listening, father, you will not
forget?'
"Do 1 ever forget?" And proof that
llC ulN INV. hC pLouSuO llSl ittlSi VII, w
where she sat under the tulipa-tree
idling, making no pretense even of
working or reading, folded slip of pa
per, on which was written in pencil his
thanks. few words in German. and be-
low them his name-ESme Won Linden
helm.
You judge from that, l hope, that l
did not forget, and that your message
and flowers pleased him."
And he still looked i'll, when, three
days later, he reappeared downstairs.
The old doctor had come and given his
advice. Rest and warmth, no more
talking than was necessary, and. to in
sure all this. bed that was by far the
best place. He was interested in the
stranger, as most people were who knew
him, and he was not surprised that his
hostess should follow him out on to the
sunny terrace and ask what he thought,
and If there were anything she could do.
NO, no; quiet is the best thing. and
this lovely weather is in his favor. His
lungs are delicate, and with so much
fever one always fears inflammation;
but we must hope it won't come to
that"
Her heart seemed to die within her as
she stood in the golden sunlight. with
the bright unclouded morning sky above
her: but the kindly old eyes looking in
to hers saw no shadow of the pain there.
heard no infection of it in the tones of
her steady voice.
No" she repeated, I'VE must hope it
will not come to that. You must take
great care"
We can't let him owe his death to
us" the doctor said. cheerily, turning
away; well take too much care for
that"
At his words Sydney shivered. and
felt cold through all the glory of the
August sunshine.
Though after all" a shade of defiance
in her thoughts as she made her way
back to the garden, Il am not really un-
easy. Why should l be? He only needs
care"
But words did not Danish the shadow
of anxiety.
But now the days were over, had been
lived through somehow: and on this
Sunday evening in the long drawing
room. with the windows closed against
possibly treacherOuS evening air, the
lamps lighted, and a miniature wood
fire burning on the wide. open hearth.
Sydney sat in old Mr.. Loraine's great
armchair by the fireplace. Count Won
Llndenhelm on low seat by her side.
They were alone, for after dinner Mr..
Lorraine had slipped into his beloved
library, and after a time, the voices dis
turbing him. he had closed the door of
communication. But now, though they
were thus alone, they seemed to have
but little to say, although the knowl-
edge was theirs that tomorrow the
parting so long postponed must take
place.
81 would rather CO." Count Linden
helm had said. Il am not getting well;
| am worried, for l ought to be at home.
| shall not get well here" And the doc
tor had given somewhat unwilling
consent for his departure, seeing the
truth of his words.
So this was the last night. Sad. in as
far as it was the last, and yet to Sydney
there was. mingled with the sadness, a
feeling that his presence was an unex-
pecteed happiness, wrested from fate
itself.
ITO be continued.l