Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-08-29

4 been all these yearsi
"Dear sir, fear you are exerting your
self too much,n said DIR. Conroy, who mad
awakened at the first sound of CONVERSE
ton. He came forward and laid his hand
| on his patients pale brow. "You have been
! injured, and as soon as you are able to bear
| il, all these things shall be explained to
you.n He administered a needed remedy,
| talking cheerfully and soothingly the while.
Chester Darlington looked in Isabels face
longingly and earnestly, seeming 70 fear
| that the knowledge be had gained would
| slip away from him. ''Alicia's chiid,n he
murmured, s'my little Isabelp'
ayes, father" she replied, taking his
| hand in hers and caressing IT, 'your Isabel
and hers,n and, still clasping his HAND, she
watched HIM as he dropped again into a
semi unconscious state, half slumber, half
| stupor.
Isabel looked at her husband with happy
1 eyes. "He knew me. Thank God for that, "
| she whispered.
"A wonderful thing that his memory
should come back to him." said DR.. conroy.
''Does the fact give you any more hope OF
| himsn she asked, anxiously.
He shook his head "My dear Mrs. Fal
coner, do not wish TO rouse false hopes,"
he said; "be prepared for the worst, and yet
the result is in Gods hands still"
AS fast as II was at all safe to do 90
Chester Darlington was told OF the past,
and his surprise was uEbounded as sbe
grasped the idea that he had lived so many
years in such a state.
Isabel, at his request, brought small
mirror to his bedside, and he looked at him
self in it, "A white-haired old manp' he
murmured, feebly. SHOW strangei how
stranger
His physical strength failed fast, but his
mind was as clear and acute as it had ever
been, and he seemed perfectly aware that
his days were numbered, and he could not
bear to have Isabel out of his sight
"And l did not know you, DEAR" he said.
chow the affectionate heart must have
been grieved."
"But you know me now, father" she
said, smoothing his white hair.
"Yes, dear, and can tell Alicia all about
our little Isabel when get home"
"My poor, poor Chesterr' and Mrs. Penn
broke leaned over the bed and shed great,
burning tears of pity and distress at sight
of the white, drawn face
mot poor Chester any more, dear little
mother" he said, gently; "but rich, happy
Chester, now; he who was lost Is found
again, and is going home"
1t was impossible TO mourn for him as for
one cut off in their full strength, and grief
was tempered by rejoicing that his memory
had come back to him so marvelously.
my dear niece, do not, beg, reproach
YOURSELF" said Major Darlington, earnest
ly; "the issues of life and death are in
Gods hands, and look upon it as re-
markable Providence that my poor brothers.
life is ending so happily. II he had stayed
with US he was exposed to danger, also, so
do not grieve, entreat you, on that &C
count" for she had reproached herself Bit
terly, thinking that IL she had left him In
his quiet home he might have lived many
years.
He had seemed unusually cheerful after
the arrival of his friends, and they hoped
he might be spared for some time. His life
for the past twenty years was a perfect
blank to him now, and he was curious TO
know what had occurred during the time,
and so far as he thought prudent, Major
Darlington had answered his many ques-
tions.
He dropped to sleep quietly at the usual
hour, and the watchers took their places at
the bedside.
At midnight there was change, his
breathing became more labored and short
er, and heavy, gray pallor settled over
his thin features. Mrs. Montford aew 70
Isabel's chamber ''Come, Mrs. Falconer,
come quickly" she said, hurriedly, and then
went on TO awake Mrs. Pembroke and Major
Darlington and his wife.
He was still sleeping when they reached
the room, but there was deaths imprint on
his sunken features
ooh! father, father, can not you speak 10
us once more!" cried Isabel, In anguish, as
she watched beside him. He opened his
eyes feebly, and looked at her long and
earnestly, as If endeavoring to fix her feat
ures in his mind.
Mrs. Pembroke took his hand in hers.
"Dear Chester, you are almost home" she
said.
Eyes, almost there he whispered, faint
ly, and again his eyes sought Isabel; each
breath was growing fainter, and the death
dews were already on his forehead. He
gave her one look of unutterable love, and
with last dying effort, gasped brokenly
''Isabel, my darling CHI" and breathed
his last.
There was a look of perfect peace and hap
piness upon his face as he lay in the dark
ened parlors in his coffin; the noble look Of
his young manhood had come back to him,
and the family felt that 1t was indeed wrong
TO mourn for him, who, after so long period
of darkness and mental Imprisonment, had
found light and liberty, and Isabel's grief
was soothed and comforted by the thought
that his last look had been for her, his
last word had been word of love for his
child, and she thanked God for the remem-
brance.
They carried him back to his home in the
South, and stately monument marks the
spot where he, with the sweet bride of his
youth, sleep sweetly and quietly together,
separated in life, but united in death.
A strange thing occurred when Major
Darlington and Mr.. Falconer, with Isabel
went to remove the young wife's remains
The sexton remarked upon the unusual