The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1889-07-06

coner, I do not wish to rouse false nopes,"
he said: .sbe prepared for the worst, and yet
the result is in Gods hands still"
AS fast as 1t was at all safe TO Go SO
Chester Darlington was told OF the past,
and his surprise was unbounded as ne
grasped the idea that he had lived so many
years in such state.
Isabel. at his request, brought small
mirror to his bedside, and he looked at him
self in it. "a white-haired Old mann' he
mur1nurea, feebly. GLOW strange! how
strange:;'
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 INSIGHT.
"And did not know you dear" he said.
SHOW the atfectionate heart must have
been grieved."
':But you know me now, father" she
said. smoothing his white hair.
eyes. dear, ami can tell Alicia all ABOUT
our little Isabel when get home"
My poor, poor Chester!' and Mrs. PEN
broke leaned over the bed and shed great
burning tears Of pity and distress at sight
of the white, drawn face.
''Not poor Chester any more dear little
MOTHER he said, gently; but ricn, happy
Chester, now; he wtio was lost is found
again, and is going home
1t was impossible to mourn for him as Tor
one cut off in their full strength, and grief
was tempered by rejoicing that his memory
had come back to him so marvelously.
:'Aly dear niece, do not I beg, reproach
yourself,'' said Major Carring ton, ea,.nest
ly; "the issues of life aud death are In
Gods hands, and look upon it as a re-
markable Providence that my poor brothers
life is ending SO happily. Ii he had stayed
with us he was exposed to danger, also, sc
do not grieve, l. entreat you, on chat ac
count,'' for she had reproachcd herself bit
terly. thinking that if she had left him III
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 q perfect
blank 10 him now, and he was curious to
| know what had occurred during the time,
and so far as he thought pr,ldcnt, Major
Carrington had answered his many ques-
ti0ns.
He dropned to sleep quietly at the usual
hour, and the watchers took their places at
the bedside.
at midnight there was a change bis
breathing became moro labored and short
er, and s. heavy, gray pallor settled over
his thin features. Mrs. Montford Dew tc
1sabeis chamber. Come, Mrs. Falconar
come quickly" she Said, hurrieoly, ana thaf
went on to awake Mrs. Pembroke aud Major
Darlington aud his wife
He was still sleeping when they reached
the room but there was DEATHS imprint on
! his sunken features.
ooh! father, father, CALI not you speak t.
us once more?' cried Isabel, in anguish, as
she watched beside hinL He o1oened his
eyes feebly, and looked at her long anc
earnestly, as if endeavoring to fix her feat
ures in his mind
Mrs. Pembroke took his hand in hers.
s'Dear Chester, you are almost home'' sac
said.
"Yes, almost there" he whispered, faint
ly, and again his eyes sought Isabel; eaes
breath was growing fainter, and the c:eath
dews were already or his forehead. He
gave her one look of unutterable love, ant
with a last dying effort, gasred brolen]y
'sIsabel, my darling Chi" and breatlled
his last.
There was look Of perfect peace and bap
piness upon his face as he lay in the dark
ened parlors in his cofau; the nohle look Oh
his young manhood had come back to him.
and the family felt thatit was indeed wrong
to mourn for him, who, after SO long period
Of darkness and mental i.2prtsonneE5. ':Ac
found light and liberty, AID Isahers g'lel
was soothed and comforted by the thought
that his last look had been for her, hi:
last word had been a ,scrd of love tor his
child. and she thanked God for the re1ne:n
brance
They carried him back tc his horne in tbs
South, and a stately monument mar? hi
spot where he, with the sweet bride '~'iii is
youth, sleep sweety and quietly together
separated il life, but united i'll death,
A strange thing occurred when l,Iajo7
Darlington and Mr.. Falconer, with lsabei:
went to remove the young syife's remains
| The sexton remarked upon the unusua.