News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1888-12-13


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"Hang it all !" King said to himseI
the next day, "Tve forgotten to pos
Lyles letters. However. 1 don't sup
pose it matters much. He'll be non
the wiser He dropped them into tn
first pillar box he came to, and lightin,
, cigar. sauntered on his way.
On the morning of this same day
Carol and his wife were standing, pal
and silent. at the window of their sittin;
room. They were watching for tn,
postman. They had watched for hin
unspokenly, feverishly, desparingiy, fo1
many days Soon they heard the sharl
rat-tat on the doors in the distance. HI
came nearer. He knocked at the dool
of the house nearest theirs. TEen-ht
passed on
"Oh, Jim !'' said the little wife
despairingly.
Carol was white to his very lips.
''Never mind, childie,'' - he said, put
ling his arm round her, and trying tc
speak steadily.
"Oh, my dear, 1 can't help it." she
sobbed
There was long pause; then Marjory
said, almost cheerily, "Perhaps if you
went to Mr.. Lyle, he could tell You, Jim
81 did go, Mariory, yesterday" he in
terrupted, quietly, but he has gone from
home for fortnight. If my drawing
had been successful, he would have writ
ten before he left. Try not to grieve,
darling; it can't be hel ped" Jim went
on, with a sickly SMILE "We must try
something else. may hear of some
thing today"
Perhaps there will be letter to-
night" said Marjory, with renewed
hope, as she bade her husband good-by
at the door.
Jim came home about six, looking ter
ribly weary and depressed. He had been
unsuccessful once more.
''No letters yet, DEAR" said his wife,
fastening to answer the unspoken ques-
ton in his eyes. AS she spoke they
heard the postman's knock in the dis
tance. 1t came nearer and died away.
perhaps there will be one in the
morning" Marjory went on; but her
voice faltered.
In the morning Another long, awful,
sleepless night of hoping against hope,
of maddening, steadily growing de-
out, physically and mentally; and he felt
as though he could not stand the sicken-
ing suspense longer. AS he looked at his
wife, her wan, changed little face, with
its pale ghost of a smile, seemed to
pierce his heart
A strange, terrible, determined look
settled round his mouth, but Marjory
was leaning her curly head against his
arm, and did not see his face.
The room was quite dark now, but
they were st Il standing at the window.
For time Carol was very still. Then
he said:
81 am very tired, Marjory darling. 1
will lie down for while Don't disturb
me. II didn't sleep last night" (nor
for many nights, he might have added.
But won't you have a cup of tea
first, Jim?"
"No, L don't care for any,"
"a long sleep will do you good,
lear" she said, nnxiously and caress-
nGly- - You look dreadful" "
.' Yes, he answered, in a strangely
iuiet voice, 80 n long sleep VIII DO me !
rood. Then, suddenly, " Kiss me,
Marjoryl"
"Ah, my own dear, disappointed
BOY |" she cried, throwing her arms !
,onnd him.
He held her to him tightly, and
kissed her again and again.
"My darlingl" 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.
Mariory sat at the window for long
time, and watched the stars grow bright
or and clearer in the soft dark sky.
in the distance street organ
was wailing out an old hackneyed waltz
tune. 1t stirred her heart strangely.
She remembered dancing that waltz
with jim, so very, very long ago-Gke
everything else that was bright and
hopeful. Even Marjory's brave little
heart was heavy tonight. What would
become of them, she wondered. God
only knew.
The clock on the neighboring church
tower doomed out on the night air; and
rs the last stroke died away there was
sharp knock at the door. 1t was the
postman. Marjory took the one letter
he held out to her, and closing the door,
she went back to the sitting room.
With trembling fingers she lighted the
candle and examined the envelope eag-
erly. Yes-it was Mr.. Lyle's handwrit-
ing Marjory recognized it without
for it was peculiar hand.
With beating heart she stole softly
up stairs-she did not take the candle,
for fear of waking Jim, should he be
peeped into the bed room.
All was still. In the pale starlight she
could just make out the dim outline of
his figure on the bed.
"Jim, she whispered.
Noanswer. He was evidently asleep.
All 1t seemed pity to wake him,
she thought; and perhaps, after all, the
letter held bad news. She softly laid
shawl over him in the semi 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 O little glad, involuntary cry,
and her lips parted in joyful, half in
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 the
letter contained; for Lyle went on to
say that he had heard of q vacant ap-
pointment, which he thought he could
through his fathers inhuence-secure
for Carol.
Marjory hid her face in her hands;
for 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 Godl"
An hour passed. The moon was drift
ing among the stars, and streaming in
through the uncurtained window on
Marjory's face wet with many tears.
The candle had burnt itself out.
All, what a joyous waking Jim's would
be- Should she lay the letter Oh his
pillow to surprise him when he awoke |
Or should sue rouse himl Perhaps he
was already awake.
She lit fresh bit of candle, and, still
stairs. She laid the candle down just
outside the bedroom door, and entered
very gently.
How deadLy still the room was
Jim ~ she said softly.
But Jim did not answer. How sound
ly he slept
Mariory came nearer and bent over
him in the throbbing darkness. The
moon had hidden herself behind one
solitary cloud.
"Jim pa 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, illumining
part of the room, but leaving the bed in
deep shadow.