Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-06-22

Her sobs choked her. Speech failed she could only answer him by pressure of the feeble hands that chung so fondly to her own.
 He sank back on his pillow, exhausted by thoso few words. He looked upat her grate- fully. "How good you are!' he said; "but you are always good. How did you come here? Have you hearda Do you know2"
 "Ycs," she said, softly. "I know all. Do not trouble to think of it. will nurse you back to health. and when you are well and strong"
 He laid his hand on her lips. "Do not de- ceive yourself, dear," he said; "I shall never be well and strong again. My life is over. I pages for the world to read. save failure" Her tears fell fast and thick. She could not speak denial of his words. for her heart told her only too we'll how terribly near the truth they were. She was silent in the breath- less hush of an unspeakabie awe; her heart stood still. us if some cold hand had seized and chilled it's warmth and life. ''Tell me-" be said again, in feeble, broken accents. "are you welded. Was 1t true what she said"
 'No," she answered, while her face flushed with shame for the falsity of her sister, and then grew pale beneath his longing gaze, that was at once so sad and tender, and earnest.
 ''It Is too late now." he said. with slow and painful effort. "That denial would have gladdaned me once-would have given me hope and energy, but now"
 "Do not despair" she entreated, knceling there and clasping his hands as they moved restlessy to and fro. "God is good-there is still hope-you may recover"
 A wan, pitlful smile crossed his lips. His eyos turned to the painting on the easel by the window; turned sadly, caressingly, as though the lifeless things of his own crea- ton were still dear above all else.
 "I was so proud of it." he said simply. "I spent all my thoughts, hopes. time in per- tecting and creating 1t. and then, at the very moment of success, found it-sov'
 She followed his gaze to the painted daub that had ruthlessly destroyed all the beauty and completeness of his brush, and shud- dered as she looked.
 "It was my death blow" he said sadly, while the slow hot tears rolled down his sunken checks. "Somehow never had the heart to work again. It was weak, foolish of mel know it-but could not help 1t. My heart died then-with thatw
 Sobs were her only answer. Perhaps 1t is
 
 Had to see you once more, Genna glad, even though I think of the wasted years that might have been so happy for us-had been more trustful. for you do care for me little. Gonna. do you notw
 "Oh my love! my dear" she sobbed in her great anguish, "more than for life, moro than for anything on the whole wide earth!"
 His eyes turned on her with a gladness be- yond all words. He stretched out his weak arms toward her. Kiss me. dear," ho mur- mured faintly. ''See. am too weak even to toucl your lips"
 She stopped down, her face radiant with the great pure love that thrilled her heart now. Her arms stole about his throat. her lips sought his. Hive, oh Hvep she cried "Live for me, my love my lover'
 He sighed like a tired child, while, with his head on her breast and her lips upon his own, he rested in the sweetness of a great content.
 Then suddenly she felt his lips grow cold- his eyes closed-he trembled and was still.
 Her lover had passed from her arms to the arms of death!
 She rose and staggered to her feet. while the cold still form lay there on the narrow bed. Her brain seemed on fire. her lips moved without sound, Her life seemed over. Her eyes turned wistfully to the marble face that looked so calm and peaceful now. Slowly she covered the wasted limbs; softly she stroked the dark rich curls from his brow then bent and kissed the closed lids, the mute cold lips. that no caress could warm to life or love again.
 She did not weep now. She could not. A ctn in in ota of ho beating heart that had throbbed with the rapture of love but flow moments before. She covered his face and left him. .
 'Is he dead?" asked the child wistfully. as he met her on the stairs.
 She bowed her head and passed on,
 "Is he dead? Have you money to pay for decent burial?' said the old wrinkled crone who lived In the house and let the rooms to tenants poor and wretched as herself.
 Genna's hand sought for the few remain ing coins that were still in her possession "Is that enough9" she asked.
 "Enough2 Mop exclaimed the woman, scornfully. But no matter, the students will give me a silver coin for that corpse of his. He was handsome youth when he came here first"
 The girl shivered at the horrible words. "For Gods sake spare him that indignity P she cried. "His life has been one long sor- row let him rest in peace now."
 "He shall if you give me the money"
 Her hand went to the necklet of pearls around her throat. It was her one orna- ment. It had been her mothers and her grandmother's, and then left to her as prec- ious and valuable legacy, yet 0: this moment she had no thought of these things. She drew it off and handed it to the woman. "It is of value" she said simply. "Do what is necessary. Promise me you will keep faith if I trust your word." The woman looked at the simple, noble face with involuntary reverence.
 II promise" she said, Gas Ihope for saliva tion myself. But you-wili you not waitl Will you not see the last2"
 She shuddered. No, cannot. For me the last is over!'
 And she went swiftly, blindly out through the darkness, while tho chill winds blew back her heavy, dusky hair. and the rain beat down on her white and bloodless face and uncov- cred head.
 Ia Iovod poo ho ooid ono1n o,d o,oi,,