Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-02-18
A MENTAL LAPSE.

whose straight, jetty line of eyebrows and
black, curling beard ard hair brought out
by vivid contrast the deathly pallor of hi:
face. "The system has undergone a ter.
rible shock, but a naturally vigorous con
stitution may surmount even greater diff.
culties."
The invalid, rousing from a scarcely
breathing torpor, lifted his blank but beau.
tiful eyes, in uncomprehending wonder, to
the speakers face. Then faint eacula-
ton from the other side of the bed drew
his attention in that direction, and he
gazed with inexpressible content at the
young and lovely woman stroking his hand
with a soft, magnetic touch that thrilled
his weak nerves with strange, sweet ecstasy.
"Where-what am | ?" the invalid ques-
toned, in faint whisper
ii" You are a very sick man; have been
in an extremely critical condition, but you
are now in a fair way to recover" ex-
planned the doctor. "Try to think of
yourself as little as possible"
The patients eyes were still fixed in
vague wonder and longing on the face of
his nurse.
1t cannot harm you to know" she
said-with a glance at the doctor that
you were injured in railway accident.
from the nearly fatal effects of which you
are Just reviving. You were brought to
my house, and have helped to nurse you
through danger which we trust is fully
passed"
The patient manifested no emotion of
gratitude. His eyes remained fastened
upon the lovely face. Presently, from
sheer weakness the eyelids dropped again,
and slumber crept over the tired, faltering
senses.
Don't let him sleep too long" eau
toned DIR. Shields, as he turned to 60 out.
He is weak, and must be watched with
care"
Widow Amy Winton had taken too
faithful an interest in the patient COM
mitted to her care to fail him at the last
contest with death, and she sat breathlessly
counting the moments of safe repose while
she read in the still, sculptured face on
the pillow the purity of nature which she
believed the Inconsistencies of sleep re-
vealedNnfailingly. When, very soon, she
softly reused hun, he opened his eyes and
gazed at her with perfect satisfaction until
wearied sense once more surrendered to the
need of rest.
Thus the early stages CT conyalesence
passed, varied, as strength increased, by
expressions of personal interest, without,
however, the remotest reference to the
past, which for the patient appeared not
to exist.
1t was after he was able to sit up and
converse freely that Amy Winton one day
recollected with CONSERVATION. as she adj
dressed him, fact of which she had lately
lost sight.
why, will you believe it, do not even
know your name" she said, with sudden
accession of color.
The gentleman looked at her with a
bewildered air He rubbed his forehead
with vain effort to recall the required ap-
pellation.
rWas there nothing about my person
that would prove my possession of a
name?" he questioned. What did my
traveling-traps reveal :?
Nothing more definite than the mi
tials J. R. E. on the neckband of your
nightshirt, in which you were dragged
from the berth of burning sleeping-car,
where all your personal effects persisted,
with the exception of a travellers treasure
belt upon your body, which contained
nothing more important than few thou
sand dollars in crisp bank notes."
That was lucky discovery, it strikes
me-" remarked the gentleman, though
am beginning to feel that | am under a
debt of gratitude which no amount Of
money can remove. The devotion of a
lifetime, could scarcely satisfy my sense
of obligation to you" The youthful
widow blushed.
1t is not much" she said. al think
have developed an unsupported talent for
nursing, and perhaps Eve found my voca-
ton in life"
So swiftly speeded the moments that, q
few days later, the gentleman announced
his determination to take up his quarters
at hotel until strong enough to decide or
his course of action.
Have | failed in any way to make you
omfortable?" reproachfully questioned
his hostess.
ooh, Heaven the reverse of that p
exclaimed her guest. You have made
this room place of enchantment, anC
herein lies the secret of my resolution tC
withdraw. For, don't you see how danger
Gus it is to my peace to remain so neal
you without the privilege of man who
possesses at least name?"
"I-I don't understand" breathed the
lady, with surprising simplicity and down
cast eyes.
"shall l explain, then? Do you see
how impossible It is to remain in your so
ciety without losing my heart utterly
And how can a man who has no past ask
the love of woman who has restored hin
to life, though that life be worthless with
out her ?"
Amy Winston flushed and paled with q
tumult of emotions.
"What cares love for the past ?" she
whispered. Enough that it has the
present-the future y
The listener caught his breath.
"Can it be ?" he murmured, with rap
turous expression. "Then how is it pos
sible for me to 60 away? But" sighed the
gentleman, after an interval of transport
returning to earthly necessities once more
have no name, no fortune to protier you
dear heart"
The blissful face lifted from his bosom
indicated that matter of such trivial i'm
pOrtance coulu Hot ue CoHs'uereu III tnI
supreme moment.
~ have the fortune" said the widow
finding at last the reward of her early
sacrifice in marriage. "And your name
came to me in a dream last night aftel
seeing the pure gold circle that you founc
in the inner pocket of your treasure-belt
and which was marked j. r. E. to \
W." she added, with heightened color.
Let me see that ring again, Amy" ]
r. E. said with interest.
She took from drawer at hand a tin,
casxet, from which he drew the PLAN golC
ring with the inner engraving that she hat
mentioned. He turned it over in his han'
with dreamy stare of wonder.
81. r. E. he echoed, emptily.
Julian Rochester Earl" she inter
rupted.
aTo A. W. Is it Amy Wintcn ?'' he