Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-12-09
aattorod and sratiaed by my. preference,


ceed did not permit myself to doubt.
True, that was ten years her elder, was
grave and thoughtful of aspect, wi h q face
already as scanned and wrinkled as tho
medallion of Cesar, with no beauty TO re-
deem it but that of deep, luminous gray
eyes. Yet all men and women honored
and admired me; and this one-why not?
could by unwearied devotion be brought
10 love me.
Absorbed in the exacting duties of my
great calling, had not yet seriously begun
to prosecute my suit, but was Eliminating
upon the subject when the rude blow fell
that threathened TO demolish the whole airy
castle of happiness that 1 was rearing.
was suddenly called one evening 10 at
tend a youth of twenty, prostrnted by
sudden attack of acute hysteria. Nervous
disorders of this kind. though rare among
men. are apt to be dangerous when they do
exist not so much from their present
effects as the results to which they may
lead. This boy (he seemed TO me nothing
more) was subject TO such attacks, as his
anxious and distressed parents told me.
Thay wara--pAss,-.s .--.l L. -ars------
their spoiled darling. As a ply scian
sympathized with his bodily weakness, and
would try 10 help it; as a man endowed
with q masculine intellect, l could feel
nothing but contempt for the whole class
of beings to which this young fellow be-
longed. His faxen hair was dressed like
girls; his pale blue eyes were as inane as
dolls, and his face was the face of pretty
wax model. To dress, TO lounge, TO
dawdle, expressed his highest idels OF
human occupation.
gave him simple remedy, but informed
his parents that in such cases as this pre-
vention must be looked to. Here was
most keenly susceptible nervous organiza-
ton, upon which Il sudden shock of excite
ment, disappointment, or fear might be ex-
pected to produce even worse results than
that which they were Witnessing now. And,
by the way, what was there, of this nature,
that had lately happened to him? As his
physician l ought to know. They both
seemed somewhat confused by the question,
and did not press it. l told them that
the soothing draught had prescribed would
give present relief, and that in few hours
this attack would be over. Mr.. Lennox
followed me to the door as withdrew. He
wanted to explain what had occasioned Edo
gars illness. The fact was, he had become
infatuated with young lady. She recip-
rocated his attachment, but she was not
willing that her parents should be informed
of it just yet She wished mel her TO be
engaged nor married at present. Edgar had
been pressing for an immediate engagement
and marriage in year. Mr.. Lennox sup
posed that his boy had quite scene last
night on the subject with Lillian, and
/ started as if smitten in the face.
"With whom?" l interrupted.
"Why, Miss Graham-Lilian Graham.
She says"
/ do not know just how 1 broke away
ION the mans garlulous chatter; nor have
/ any recollection of how / reached my ho-
tel. l locked myself in my rooms, and
never left them till the evening OF the fol-
lowing day. All visitors were denied, all
lis refused; | simply returned the answer
from the inside that was indisposed and
must have rest. Not n mouthlul of food
passed my lips in this time, nor did l sleep.
4 walSed fl e floor like n rnaed beast: i al
most foamed with rage at this discovery, so
sudden, so unexpected. And in words that
had before passed unuttered through my
mind, swore flightful oath that whoever
came between me and Lillian Graham
should be trampled down and crushed to
powder.
Darkness was approaching, when, the
next evening, | sailed out and walked rap
idly and nimlessly through the streets.
Chance took me past the stately residence
of Mr.. Lennox. AS | was passing, the
door opened, and Edgar and his mother
came out upon the steps. With n sudden
impulse, l secreted myself behind tree,
and listened.
"Don't stay long, my dear
"No, l won't; but l must see her again
tonight. And you'll speak to Mrs. Gra-
ham tomorrow, motherY
ayes, my boy"
The door closed, and he tripped jauntily
down the steps. ] have more than once
| spoken of impulses; / say now that the in
tuence that led me at that in taut to act as
l did was simply overpowcling. / sprang
from my place of concealmeni; l took him
roughly by both shoulders, and warned and
| terrified him 10y my savage speech.
You fool" / said, Lillian Graham is
not for you. Cease yonr visits there, or l
will not answer for what may happen to you.
She is mine do you hear? Mine only"
His Mortified face aled as he recognized
me and heard my words. Without word
| he turned back, reasccnded the steps, and
| disappeared in the house.
No eye had seen. no ear had heard what
has Just been described. Rapidly / re-
turned 10 my rooms. Not five minutes had
passed when an urgent message demanded
my immediate presence atthe LennoX man
sion. Anticipating the meaning of the
summons, complied. Tie house was in
confusion, the parents wild with appre-
hension. l was told that Edgar's mother
had parted with him at the door, and that
few minutes later die Of the servants
found Linn lying euseles; AID speechless
in the hall. was conducted 10 where he
lay upon his bed. His eyes were set and
staring; ] Is limbs were ii id aud cold.
placed ny hand beneath his vest there
was no response.
as he dying?" whispered the stricken
father.
He is dead, replied
Let the procession of events that fol-
lowed pass again rapidly before me. The
best sccietyof the city shocked and startled
its fairost mansion changed TO somber
house of mourning; thronged funeral, tie
air heavy with the perfume of rare flowers
n white face beneath the glass, above which
were sighs and tears; mournful hymns;
words OF prayer. and the clods on the
cofhu-lid. a year passed; dccorously. and
not with ardor, my suit for Lillian Graham
was commenced. She yielded slowly, and
consented at last with indifference, almost
with apathy, and only because l urged and
her parents wished it. She had loved lin
who was dead, she told me (of such stuif
are women made), and her heart was in
tho grave with him. She lIonored and re-
spected me, and ought TO be proud of my
love. So we were married.
More years passed.; our child came. Tho
tenderness of moth sr-love drew her closer
TO me. l kew that at las. l was loved.
The white face in the coffin was forgotten,
or only remembered as strain of plaintive
music stealing on the air at night. Ave,
she told me that she loved me, and that
she thanked God for bringing me to her.
/ was rich Twas famed I woa hoporad
What stood between mo and perfect hap