San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-11-26
CHAPTER XIX.

GenUly anu nOlSeleSSly Gney WeuU up Jne
broad staircase that led to Ismay's room.
They passed the marble statues that
cleaned palely between the costly hang
ings, the rare pictures that adorned the
walls. Paul, looking on the magnificent
display, thought to himself at was for
this she deserted me, and sold my love-"
Then the bitterness died out of his heart.
She was dying, and he was going to her to
forgive her.
Lord Carlswood pointed to the door of
her room.
"You had better go in alone" he said;
and Paul, turning the handle, quietly
went in.
He never forgot the scene. The bright
sunshine came in, softened and subdued
through the shade of the rose-colored
blinds: the room itself was magnificently
furnished-every luxury, every comfort
was there; the sunbeams fell on the bed
with its low hangings, and on the white,
worn, beautiful face that seemed to bear
the very impress of death.
The nurse left the room as Paul entered
it, and he knelt down by the bedside. Is
may had fallen into restless, troubled
sleep, and as he watched her all the burn
ing anger, the bitter vengeance cherished
through so many long years, died away.
He forgot the past-he forgot the agony OF
those ten years-he remembered only the
beautiful girl he had wooed and won-the
lovely young wife he had worshiped; he
thought of all her bright, graceful ways;
and now she lay dying, they said. She was
so young when they tempted her away, and
thaU hnI ta1 har OH lnUa nj
all that was beautiful and luxurious
She had not left him for another-she ha,
never given one thought to any other; fraii
and feeble as her love was, she had given
it all to him. And now she lay dying
never to give her love to anyone again.
Was it true, as she said, that her women's
soul was only just awakened? 1t might be.
"And in the awakening she turned to
me-" he said-"no one else but me-"
What she must have suffered to be
brought so near death because he would
not forgive her! How she must have loved
him after all! Her whole heart must have
yearned for him. Was it not through love
of him that she lay dying? AS he thought
of that, the last remnant of pride and an
ger died out of his heart. How she must
have loved him! He remembered that and
nothing else. He bent down and kissed
the thin white hand.
When he raised his face she was looking
at him-the sad, sweet eyes were fixed on
his face. She did not seem surprised to
see him.
'Paulr she whispered. Gam 1 dream
ings"
my darling" he said, gently, clasping
her in his arms, you are not dreaming
l am here to love you, to win you back to
life, and to make you so happy that we
shall both forget the wretched past"
He raised her. and the beautiful wan
face dropped on his breast. She tried to
put her arms round his neck, but they fell
weak and helpless by her side.
Put my arms round your neck, dar-
ling" she whispered; land, if l have to
die, let me die So"
Tears were raining down his face, her
weakness touched him as her beauty never
could have done.
"Y gu shall not die, sweet" he said, 'if
the strength of a mighty love can bring
you back to life"
Then, kneeling by her side, holding her
tightly clasped in his arms, he told her the
story of his love and his sorrow-of his life
since he had lost her.
She was as happy as lost child restored
to its mothers arms.
"How strong love is!' she whispered to
him. 81 feel that while you love me so
dearly cannot die"
He soothed her with the long-silent
music of loving words, until the sweet
eyes grew heavy. and then she said
Paul, you will not leave me if 1 sleeps
Let me wake and find you here"
Waking, she found him there, and his
love did for her what the doctor had said
human skill could not do; it brought her
back to life.
Once, as Paul was sitting talking to her,
she held her left hand up to him with a
smile. 1t was thin and shadowy.
Look" she said; my ring is getting
too large for me-"
He kissed the white hand and the gold
ring. She smiled.
paul" she said, gently, "who would
think there was such story attached to
my wedding-ring?"
Ismay recovered, and when she was once
more herself Lord Carlswood declared
that he would interfere no more-that she
should accompany her husband to his own
home, yet still be acknowledged as his
granddaughter.
BY that time he had grown to have a
sincere affection and warm. true liking