The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-12-22

steadily.
10, my dear, can't help it," abe sobbcd.
'There was long pause; then Mariory
said, almost chcerily: perhaps IL you went
to Mr. Lyle, he could tell you, Jim"
II did go, Marjory, yesterday, he inter-
ripted her quietly, "but he has gone from
home for fortnight. If my drawing had
been successful he would have written be-
fore he left. Try not to grieve, darling; 1t
can't be helped" Jim went on, with siclsly
smile. 1--WE must try something else. l
may hear of something to-day"
"Pcrhaps there will be letter tonight"
said Mariory with renewed hope, as she bid
her husband goodbye mt the door.
Jim came homo about six, looking terri
bly, weary and depressed. He had been un'
succcssful-once more.
"No letters yet, dear" said his wife,
fastening to answer the unspoken question
in his eyes, As she spoke they heard the
postman's knock in the distance; 1t came
nearer-and died away.
"Perhaps there will be one in the morn.
ing,n Marjory went on; but her voice fal'
tered.
In the morning! Another long, awful,
slcepless night of hoping against hope, OF
maddcning, steadily growing despairl jim
shuddered. He was worn out, physically
and mentally; and he felt as though he could
not stand the siclSening suspense longer. AS
he looked at his wife, her wan, changed
little face with its pale ghost OF smile,
seemed to pierce his heart
A strange, terrible determined look set
tied round bis mouth, but Mariory was
leaning her curly head against his arm, and
did not see his face.
The room was quite dark now, but they
were still standing at the window. For
time Carol was very still. Then he said:
~ am very tired, Marjory, darling. Will
lie down for while. Don't disturb me. II
didn't sleep last night" tnor for many nights
he might have added.)
"But won't you have cup Of tea first,
Jim!"
mo, don't care for any,"
"a long sleep will do you good, dear" she
said anxiously and caressingly. "You LOOK
dreadful"
"Yes,n he answered, in strangely quiet
voice, "a long sleep will do me good" Then
suddenly: "Kiss me, MarioryW
"Ah, my own dear disappointed boy"
she cried, throwing her arms round him.
He held her to him tightly, and kissed her
again and again.
"My darling" he said, hoarsely. "My
own darling"
Then he let her go, and went away She
heard him go up stairs and his footsteps
echo in the room above.
Marjory sat at the window for long,
long time; and watched the stars grow
brighter and clearer in the soft dark sky
Somewhere in the distance street organ
was wailing out an old hackneyed waltz tune
1t stirred her heart strangely. She remem
bered dancing that waltz with Jim, so very,
very long ago---it seemed long ago, like
every thing else that was bright and hope
full. Even Mariory's brave little heart was
heavy tonight. What would become Of
them, she wondered. God only knew.
The clock in neighboring church tower
doomed out on the night air, and as the last
stroke died away there was sharp knock
at tho door 1t was the postman. Mar1ory
took the one letter he held out to her, and
closing the door again she went back to the
sitting room. With trembling fingers she
lighted the candle and examined the en-
velope eagerly. Yes, it was Mr.. Lyle's hand
writing! Marjory recognized it without
difficulty, for it was peculiar hand. With
a beating heart she stole softly up stairs
she did not take the candle, for fear OF
waking jim, should he be aslecp-and
peeped into the bedroom. All was still. In
the pale starlight she could just make out
the dim outline of his figure OF the bed.
"Jim p she whispered.
No answer He was evidently asleep.
All! it seemed pity to wake him, she
thought; and perhaps, after all, the letter
held bad news. She softly laid shawl
over him in the scmi-darkness, and crept
down stairs again.
After looking at the fateful envelope for
some time she slowly opened it. She could
not wait, and she knew Jim would not mind.
In another moment she uttered little glad
involuntary cry, and her lips parted in
joyful half-incrcdulous smile. Could it be
possible! Yes-Jim's design had been
selected as the best; the premium would be
his! And this was not the only good news
tho letter contained; for Lyle went on to
say that he had heard of u vacant appoint
ment, which he thought h.. could-through
his fathers iniiuence-securc for Carol.
Mallory hid her face in her hands; for n
moment the revulsion of feeling was almost
too much. Then in passion Of tears and
thankfulness, she fell upon her knees. But
she could only say: "Thank God Thank
Godm
An hour passed. The moon was drifting
among the stars and streaming in through
the uucurtained window on Marjory's face
wet with happy tears. The candle had
burned itself out.
Ah, what joyous waking Jim's would
be Should she lay the letter on his pillow
to surprise him when he awoke! Or should
she rouse him! Perhaps he was already
awake.
She lit a fresh bit Of candle, and, still
holding the precious letter, went up stairs.
She laid the candle down just outside the
bedroom door and entered very gently.
How deadly still the room was!
"Jimm she said, sofly.
But jim did not answer. How soundly
he slept!
Marjory came nearer and bent over him
in the throbbing darkness. The mooI he'd
hidden herself behind one solitary c:oud.
"Jim."--a little louder.
Still that strange weird hush. A vague
fear stirred her heart. She did not even
hear him breathe. What If he had tainted
The moon sailed out again, Illuminating
part of the room, but leaving the bed in
deep shadow.
Jim, darling" leaning over him and lay
ing her arm across his neck, "a letter has
comel Its" With sudden sickeping
terror she stopped and raised herself, for
she felt--that her sleeve was wet!
Snatching up the candle she held it over
the bed, and by its Pickering light she saw
-ah, dear Heaven-what did she see!
Not her Jim, surely!
A white, dead face-a dark red stain on
tho coverlet-a CHASTITY wound--and cold
nerveless fingers, still holding--what
Ah, cruel Jim!
A long, shuddering cry rang out on the
autumn night-wild- agonzed-despairing
A uain and apain IL echoed Then all yyas