Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-02-16
say she will just iic there as she is lyin.; now


 to realize what he had heard, but it was i'm. possible, although his journey had seemed to him one long preparation for the worst. What is it-how did it happenr' he asked
 Internal chill. She was only taken ill the day before yesterday, and the pain was frightful till yesterday afternoon, then it subsided, and thought she was be,,er-she herself was so cheerful and so thankful for the relief-but when the two doctors came in again it was to tell me that the disappear ance of the pain meant only the worst meant that nothing more can be done-she may go at any moment"
 There was silence M de Chateauviepx walked up and down with the noiseless step which even few hours of sickness develop in the watcher, till he came and stood before his brother-in-law, saying, in the same pain. full whisper. "You must have some food, then will tell her you are here"
 "No, no; want no food-any time will do for that Does she expect mer'
 "Yes; you won't waita Then come" He led the way across a little ante-room, lifted a curtain and knocked. The nurse came, there was little barley and Paul went in, while Eastace waited outside, conscious of the most strangely trivial things, of the passers by in the street, of wrangle between two gamins on the pavement opposite, of the misplace
 
 side him, till the door opened again and NJ. de Chateauvieux drew him in
 He stepped over the threshold, his whole being wrought up to he knew not what solemn pageant of death and parting, and the reality within startled him. The room was flooded with morning light frosty De cember sun was struggling through the fog, the curtains had just been drawn back, and the wlntry radiance rested on the polished brass of the bed, on the bright surfaces of wood and glass with which the room was full, on the little tray of tea things which the nurse held, and on his sisters face of greeting as she lay back smiling among her pillows. There was such a cheerful home peace and brightness in the whole scene-in the crack ling wood fire, in the sparkle of the tea things and the fragrance of the tea, and in the fresh white surroundings of the invalid.. it seemed to him incredible that under ali this familiar household detail there should be lying in wait that last awful experience of death.
 Marie kissed him, with grateful, affection ate words, spoken almost in her usual voice, and then, as he sat beside her, holding her hands, she noticed that he looked pale and haggard;
 poor Eustace, after that long journeyl Nurse, let him have my cup, there is some tea left: let me see you drink it, dear; it's so pleasant just to look after you once more"
 He drank it mechanically, she watching him with her loving eyes, while she took one hand from him and slipped it into that of her husband as he sat beside her on the bed. Her touch seemed to have meaning in it. for Paul rose presently and went to the far end or the large room; the nurse carried away the tea things, and the brother and sister were practically alone.
 Dear Eustace," she began, after a few pathetic moments of silence, in which look and gesture took the place of speech, II have so longed to see you. 1t seemed to me ill that awful pain that l must die before 1 could gather my thoughts together once more, be- fore l could get free enough from my own wretched self to say to my two dear ones all wished to say. But now it is all gone, and am so thankful for this moment of peace l made Dr. De Grievances tell me the whole truth. Paul and 1 have always promised one another that there should never be any between us when either of us came to die, and l think shall have a few more hours with you"
 She was silent little; the voice had all it's usual intonations, but it was low and weak. and 1t was necessary for her from time to time to gather such strength as might enable her to maintain the calm of her manner Eustace, in bewildered misery, had. hidden hls face upon her hands. which were clasped in his, and every now and then she felt the pressure of his lips upon her fingers.
 "There are many things want to say to you" she went on. "I will try to remember them in order. Will you stay with Paul few days-aftera Will you always remember to be good to hima 1 know you will. Nv poor Paul-oh! if had but given you a childr'
 Tho passion of her low cry thrilled Eustace's heart He looked up and saw on her face the expression of the hidden yearning of a life time. It struck him as something awful and l sacred; he could not answer it except by look and touch, and presently she went on, after another pause:
 "His sister will come to him very likely DIS widowed sister. She has girl he is fond | of. After a while he will take pleasure in | her. Then l have thought so much of YOU 1 and of the future So often last night I | thought saw you and her, and what you 1 ought to do seemed to grow plain to me. 1 Dear Eustace, don't let anything 1 say now | sver be burden to you-don't let it letter you ever-but it Is so strong in me you must | let me say it all. She is not in love with you. Eustace- least, l think not She has never thought of you in that way; but there s everything there which ought to lead to owe. You interest her deeply; the thought 'f you stands to her as the symbol of all she wants to reach; and then she knows what you have been to all those who trusted you. She knows that you are good and true l want you to try to carry it farther for her ake and yours" He looked up and would rave spoken, but she put her soft hand over lis mouth. ''Wait one moment. Those Ibout her are not the people to make her ,appy-at any time if things went wrong she broke down-she would be at their mercy. Then her position-you know what lihculties it has-it makes my heart ache ometimes to think of it. She won my love Q. l felt like mother to her. long to ave her here now, but 1 would not let Paul send; and if 1 could think of her safe with you-in those true hands of yours. Oh. -ou will try, darlingp He answered her luskily and brokenly, laying his face to hers ID the pillow.
 II would do anything you asked. But she 8 so likely to love and marry. Probably here is some one-already. How could it lot be with her beauty aud her famea Any. 'ody would be proud to marry her, and she las such quick. eager nature"
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