News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1888-11-22

the old mans reply, while
hundred possibilities flashed through
my brain and wrung my heart
then and there L comprehended
beyond the shadow of doubt that the
one great love which a woman can know
for one man had bestowed upon Zeke
Ruggles. But anxious as | was | could
not suppress some compassion for the
tired father. l pressed him to come
into the house and eat some breakfast,
but he refused.
"No, thank you, marm, you're very
kind, but couldn't eat bite for think
ing of my poor boy. Let me tell you all
about it, miss. You see, Zeke, he has
been studying real hard ever since you
crowding his brain with lawyer learning
and he's took his Examination Mt Albany
an he's been admitted to the bar. But
he's paid a big price for it all. He's
sick of brain fever, miss, an l sadly fear
he'll never be his old self. All the time
he talks of you, an at last l says to my
self, I'll find her an ask her to come
over an see Zeke, if SO be she might do
an oh, my dear, please humor poor
an say CHEEKY word to my boy. May
be it'll be no use at all, and then, again,
it may ease his poor sick mind an satisfy
the everlasting craving. Will you, my
dear?'
1t needed not she earnest words of the
old man, nor tho tears which coursed
down his rough cheek to prevail upon
me to go to the Corners.
1 started in few minutes, my father
driving me and old Mr.. Ruggles. Il
was a long ride, nearly twenty miles,
but we reached the blacksmith's modest
home soon after noon.
Before very long 1 was ushered into
the sick chamber, where upon an old
fashioned bed, beneath q white coverlet,
lay my champion.
But how changed How wan and
thin the cheeks, how listless the eyes. I
bent over the poor fellow and-kissed
the feverish brow though he could not
tell that did his reason had left him
and he was quite unconscious OF his sur
roundings.
/ stayed for some minutes in the room
and heard the lips of the sick man
murmur my name" Anna" But Zeke
did not recognize me.
Down stairs [ saw the doctor, whom I
had known during my residence at the
Corners.
"Ah, Miss Brooks" he said kindly,
" this is a serious time with poor Rug
giles. The crisis will come in the next
tweniy-four hours, and If we cannot
rouse him from this delirium shall fear
the worst. He thinks much of you, and
L think would recognize You quicker
than anyone else. Forgive an old man,
my dear, for seeming meddlesome, but
the poor fellows whole soul was bound
up in you and his mind dwells upon no
one and nothing else. This evening
when it is cool and quiet come up again
to the room. You used to sing to him,
l think try that"
1 did try it. When the evening
shades were beginning to fall across the
curtain of the little bedchamber were
Zeke lay, seated myself by the bedside
and took the sick mans thin hand in
mine.
There was one song 1 used to sing to
Zeke-one of his faS Sorites-though /
lad not paid much heed to the words in
he old days. Now, however, their full |
meaning and sweetness became apparent, |
md quite naturally, if somewhat sadly. |
[ softly sang the verses. But no sign
1f recognition came from Zeke until
reached the refrain:
8 Oh, Ladde, oh, Laddie, oh, Laddie,
never can love but thee;
Until death shall part you have won my heart,
You are all the world to me"
Then [ felt slight pressure of the
wan hand which rested in mine, and
slowly the tired head turned upon the
pillow, while tender smile lighted up
the weary, wandering eyes. The crisis
had come, and that night it was past.
Zeke RuggIes did not die, for have
been his happy wife for many years.
Detroit Free Press.