The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-02-09

Eva had SUNK into chair, her eye
fixed intently on the face OF her friend
as if every word were life or death t,
her.
"If care can save him, then he sha
surely live. How good Goo is to me |!
she added reverently, the tears fallin
again, but this time like soft summe
rain.
''And my Laby, Clarice, will he liv
also2" She almost held her breath,
waiting the reply, Clarice did not an
swer, only passed her arm around Eva
and drew her head against her shoulder
"Clarice, tell me-" Eva pleaded 81
he dead?"
eyes DEAR" Clarice said gently, he
tears falling in sympathy for the be
reaved mother, che was dead befor,
the doctor came he must have dice
instantly"
"No, he died in my arms !" Eva sale
with sob; IL remember he gave one
gasp as took him up. On, my baby r
and she broke forth again into pitecu:
sobs, and rising, started to leave the
room.
"One moment, please" Clarice said
again OBTAINING her let me 60 first. HI
was asleep few moments ago, and the
doctor left orders that he must not bt
disturbed.
She left the room, and in a few mo-
ments returned and motioned Eva to
follow her.
'Be as calm as possible, dear, -
Clarice whispered as she left her. As
the door closed softly behind hel
friend, Eva stood still moment al
her husbands bedside. His head
was well covered with bandages, con.
cealing the wounds beneath, the eyes
were closed and his face wore the
pallor of death. Her heart grew
within her; surely he would die, il
not already dead; and every unkind
word she had spoken rose up before
her like avenging spirits. How all
the old love revived with tenfold
power! He had never, even in theil
happiest days, seemed so inexpres.
sibly dear as at that moment! Oh,
if God would but spare him, a life.
time of devotion should atone for all
past unkindness.
A quick sob broke from her, not
withstanding her efforts of self.con-
troll. Richards eyes Enclosed and
with a faint smile he held out his
hand to her. Dropping on her knees
by the side of the bed she laid her
head beside his on the pillow, while
his arm was passed fondly about her.
"Oh, Dick, forgive me!' she sob.
bed, forgetting all her caution. 81
shall never forgive myself; I'll never
speak an unkind word again, never,
never, while l livep' The sentences
were broken and disjointed, uttered
amidst sobs and tears.
There, there, dear" Richard
said, gently, as he drew her face
closer to him and kissed her tenderly.
Then, with noble generosity, which
seems part of some mems nature,
he added kindly: Il was to blame;
| should have been more thoughtful
l ought to have taken you out in
stead of going off alone for my own
pleasure. We will begin anew, now
He stopped, unable to finish the
sentence.
eyes, l know! Harry is dead. Oh,
my baby! my babyP' she sobbed.
Richards lips quivered and the
heavy eyelids were pressed upon the
paid cheek to repress the starting
tears. He drew her closely toward
and tenderly pressed her tear stained
cheek against his own in mute sym.
pathy, but could utter no word.
How very, very dear his beautiful
boy had been to the young father,
none but God might know.
For long time they were very
quiet Eva's sobs alone breaking the
stiffness, until at last those ceased
and Richard said softly:
"Eviep'
Yes, dearW
How many long months had passed
since she had spoken one endearine
word to him! How long since she
had heard the dear old pet name from
his lips! The sound of them now
carried them back to the old, happy
days before harsh words had been
spoken or unkind feelings held sway,
"What do you wish, dear?' Eva
asked, waiting a moment for her
husbands request.
"Harry"-his lips trembled-ha
could not 60 on.
eyes, dear" Eva said softly div
ining intuitively, in her new found
sympathy with her husband, the wish
he could not express.
Rising quietly, she passed out o.
the room. IL few minutes she re-
turned bearing the dead babe in hel
arms.
All the violence of her grief seemed
hushed into stiffness in the presence
of death.
Seating herself on the side of the
bed she turned her precious burden
tenderly until the fathers eye could
rest on its face, his hands touch il
without change of position.
Never in the full flush of health
and infantile beauty had their boy
looked more lovely than now. as,