The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-06-05

said ~
"Mr. Brownp half screamed Lily.
Who cares for him. That's the very rea-
son Pm goinglh And throwing off
Amelia's hand, she stepped on the ice.
1t bore her light weight without crack
and after few steps she turned with a
smile of triumph to look at Amelia, and
saw the tall form of the teacher standing
on the shore At this sight all prudence
left her and with a wave of her hand she
flew on to the center of the pond. A mo-
ment later loud crack, a shrek, and then
she disappeared under the ice, Just as Mr.
Brown dashed over the pond and plunged
into the black hole after her The moment
of paralyzed horror, which always follows
such things, passed. and then the boat that
always lay by the dam was run rapidly
over the ice to the spot, but nothing was
there except the broken ice and the black
water.
''They are lost" said one in hushed
voice.
But more hopeful one replied
'Nol moi Don't say that vet. Break
away the ice, and grapple under it.n
And with an axe and clubs some broke
the ice, while others with ice hooks and
poles felt under the water.
At last a hook caught something, and the
next minute the two forms were brought
to the surface, Lily clinging tightly to Mr..
Brown. In an instant they were in the
o.
were insensible but Mr.. Brown at least was
alive, for the blood was flowing freely from
broad cash across his forehead. Lily's
home was near by, and they were both
taken there, and the work of restoration
begun. Lily soon revived. They had been
under water such short time that it bad
done them both but little harm; but the
wound on Mr.. Brown head proved serious,
| and he returned to breathing only to fall
into stupor, in which he lay the whole
night. A light, soothing draught was given
to Lily, and she slept soundly till morning,
when she awoke with no bad effects, save a
slight dizziness. She rose and dressed, and,
to the establishment of the family, appeared
at breakfast. In vain they urged her to lie
on the lounge, at least. She assured them
she was perfectly well, and in spite of all
they could say, went into the Sick-room and
took her seat by the bed; and here, with
tireless eyes, she watched for long days and
nights
The sufferers condition remained unal-
tered The same dull stupor and heavy
breathing; and with the rest Lily began to
despair of any change in him but the great
one, till one night, as she sat by him while
her fellow watcher lay sleeping on the
lounge, he suddenly started from his pill
low. In an instant she stood bending over
him. His eyes were open, but they were
filled with the light of delirium. He did
not notice her, but seemed looking at
something beyond, and he pointed with
his hand, as he said:
''Do you see her 2 There she stands, Es-
tella She has discovered my secret, and
come to gloat over me. D, Estella ES-
tella Why were we two ever born r' His
voice died away in a wall, and then he
broke out fiercely: Laugh on, beautiful
demon Triumph while you may But
you vent all your ire on me. Never, never
shall you have power to touch her For
though with all the strength of despair l
love Lily, will never forget that you are
my wife,
The laugh aroused the sleeper, and it was
well it did, for Lily stood by the bed as cold
and white as the patient, and for once she
left the room without Directing.
From this time the patients case changed.
Wild rawlings took the place of the stupor;
but never again did Lily, who was constant
as before at her post, hear him speak as he
did that night. But that once had been
enough. 1t had shown her her heart torn
the veil of the future from her eyes, and
let her see it stretch a dreary, hopeless
blank before her. The long dreary winter
dragged by, and Mr.. Brown battled for life
till the snow began to melt, and then youth
won the fight, and he entered the slow
road of convalescence; but the blossoms
were on the trees before he left his room
and stood in the sunlight again. A great
change had come over Lily in this time.
She abandoned the sick room when Mr..
Brown began to mend, and took up all the
little household care she could to assist her
mother. But she was so different. All the
laughing, hooking spirit of the girl was
gone and she seemed possessed of the
thoughtfulneSs of a matron of forty. Her
mother was distressed at first but as she
did not seem unhappy, she attributed it to
the ordeal she bad passed through, and told
herself that she was developing into a use
full woman; and SO she was, but how little
her mother guessed in what school.
And thus time run on, till one lovely
evening toward the close of April, Lily,
wearied with the house, went out for
quiet walk. She had felt lonely and de-
pressed all day, but under the influence of
the soft balmy air her gloom faded and
she tripped along with almost the blithe-
someness of the old days. Unconsciously
she took the path to the school-house and
she had nearly reached the well-known
door, when suddenly she stopped short, for
just emerging from the shadow of the
woods, she saw the tall form of Mr.. Brown.
1t was the first time she had met him alone
since that terrible day, and she stood hest
tating whether to push resolutely past him,
or turn hastily back; but fate decided for
her. Before even these few thoughts could
rush through her mind, Mr.. Brown stood
before her.
Good evening, Miss Lily" said he pleas
antly "Do you intend walking any far
thers"
"No, sir" she stammered 81 am going
home nown
Then l may accompany you"
The form was a question, but without
waiting for reply. he walked on, and she
passively did the same. A silence Of some
minutes followed, during which Lily feared
he heard her heart beat, and then Mr.
Brown spoke:
II am very glad that have met you this
evening, Miss Elmer, for have heen wait
ing and wishing for long time for an op-
portunity to thank you for your kindness
to me-"
He stopped, and a spark of Lily's old
spirit flashed up, and she cried:
THANK me! You mean tell me how you
hate and despise me, for that is what de-
serve, and l confess it
A greatsob rose in her throat, but she
choked it back, and looked at him with
flashing eyes.
"Hate your be said sadly. "No; what
ever the past has been, | have been too far
from blameless in it, TO think harshiy OF
you even if / wished to, and now, as we
shall so soon part, perhaps forever, l can
remember nothing but your kindness"
The light all died out of Lily's eyes
part! HOWE" she half gasped.
II shall leave your fathers house to-
morrow. / should have gone before, but
we don't always do as we should"
The last with faint attempt at a smile
But Lily did not notice it. Her poor little
heart seemed choking her, and her head
was dizzy with the Going going 60
ing'' that the trees were singing to her
She dared not trust her voice to speak, and
they walked on in silence again for some
time, when Mr.. Brown suddenly stopped