New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1886-06-16

grave politeness, but it was soon
known that be was not a marrying
man.
At the end OF two. years he received
this letter:
"They tell me [ shall never get well.
l want you. But if you feel you can
not bear the parting If you feel that
it is best not to see me-do not come!,'
He did not go.
S'How can | see her die?'
Human y hearts are curious things.
Eight more years passed.
A great yearning to see his old home
took possession OF Manly Cresswell.
A1Perhaps I may see her grave. O
Valera, would God had died instead
of thee!!"
"He was welcomed home cordially,
but no one recognized in the bearded,
silent man, the once good comrade,
Manly Cresswell.
'And where is your wife, Cresswell?"
have none"
"What! Are you a bachelor YETI"
CAS- have said"
"Not even a widower? Without a
sweetheart?"
"No widower, and no sweetheart.
Tell me OF all my friends"
'"They are all here"
etNone dead? None married? None
gomez"
.'Let me see-yes, Rosa Tate mar
ried soon after you went away. I be-
lieve you loved her once?"
'Not I. The only woman ever
loved died years ago."
"Now who could that be?''
'tIll never tell, and you could never
guess. Any more news?"
"Well-yes, perhaps you remember
that drunken fellow, Crabbe-yes, we'll
he went to Waco, Texas, about eight
years ago. The doctor thought a
change might help his wife, but heard
she died soon after they got there. He
drank himself to death about a year
ago, but they say he left considerable
property in spite of his dissipation.
"And he, too. is buried in Waco"
eyes"
"Well, good-by. I am off on the
next train"
"What for?"
important business in another
city,"
Day and night he Travelled till he
reached the city Of Waco.
What business had he there?
Only to find a grave!
20 Christ! forgive me! 1 alone am
responsible for her death! Valeria, if
| had remained near thee, thou
wouldst not, thou shouldst not have
died! Would, God l could die and be
with thee?"
A quiet, but travel-worn gentleman
got off the train and accosted the first
hackman he saw.
'My friend, wish to go to the ceme-
terry"
"All right, sir" said the surprised
cabby.
"Did you ever hear the name Crab
be? Being a hackman perhaps you
know"
eyes, sir, do remember the name
He was quite rich, but died a year
ago."
"Perhaps you could show me his
grave?"
II can show you his monument, the
finest ever saw, and just put up"
els his wife buried near him?"
A queer smile played around cabby's
lips.
II don't think she is"
Manly dreaded lest his love for the
dead woman should become known,
so briefly commanding, "Go ahead"
he sprang into the vehicle
The cemetery was soon reached, and
the man pointed out the cleaning
monument.
Manly sought it, anxiously scanning
all the names of the dead as he pass
ed.
He came up to the monument.
But what was this?
A slender, black-robed figure sat OPP
posite, regarding him.
With one stride he was by the wom-
an.
"Who are you?"
She raised her eyes,
81 am Valeria CrabbeW
"Valeria? Oh, it cannot be possible!
| have mourned you as dead so many
years!'
"Manly!"
Leo, ~ 40 L. COlllC w l1lt 1lOW, lily
love! Nothing stands between us!'
She rose. But was this his Valeria?
This hollow.eyed, hollow-cheeked, wan
woman with the gray waves of hair?
"Manly, look at me. Iamno longer
young. At thirty-eight l am as aged
as if were fifty eight. Can it be that
you mean that you love me?"
81 do! l do" he cried, "and see!" he
lifted his hat.
His hair was snow white.
II, too, bear the signs of age and
suffering. At forty-two I look like an
old man, but in my heart there has
never dwelt but one woman-you on
ly."
She sighed YEARLY as his strong arms
closed about her-his lips sought hers.
ooh, is it true? Am I to be your
wife? Am / to live with you till /
die?"
"God willlng!"
ut must be dream! Ihave dreamed
SO often Of being thus-in your arms,
hearing your voice, seeing the love light
in your eyes!'