The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-08-27

cord, but could suggest no remedy. Inc
girls faculties were singularly acute, but
her body remained inert, lifeless. Every
convenience and comfort was provided
for her; among other things a wheeled
choir, in which she was pushed about the
lovely grounds surrounding the mansion:
She was seldom left alone, arosy-cheeked
attendant being always at hand during
Mrs. Searle's absence.
One day Eden's chair had been pushed
out upon the cool, wide veranda. She
looked like an angel in her dainty white,
~lace-covered robe, and Mrs. Searle could
scarcely keep her eyes off her. They had
been there but a few minutes when a SER
want brought Mrs. Searle a telegram. AS
she glanced up after reading it b met
Eden's gaze, full of strange anxiety.
"My son has been injured, and is com
ing home,' she explained.
Seriously ?" The word came gasping-
ly, ard the girls face rivalled her snowy
robe.
"Oh, no, dear. Do not be frightened.
Only a broken ARM
A great sigh of relief struggled through
the girls white lips.
"You have a tender heart" said the
elder lady, kissing her fondly.
"Shall you send M away"
"Send my dear daughter away?" in a
surprised tone. "Indeed, I love you too
dearly ever to do that. What, weeping ?"
and with tender touch she wiped the tears
from the beautiful face. Nothing shall
ever make me love you less, nor send you
away, I promise" With another kiss
she fastened away to issue orders for
Kenneth's comfort. His arrival followed
close upon the telegram, and in the con
tusit n Eden was momentarilY forgotten.
Her chair was close beside the main en-
trance, and although her face was turned
away, he saw and recognized her.
"EdedI My darling! Ny darlingl" he
cried, taking a step toward her. Then,
ere a hand could be outstretched to save
him, he fell insensible at her feet.
ooh, my Godl Kenneth! Kenneth"
Mrs. Searle heard the despairing wall
as she had also heard her sons cry.
"Whoa are your" she demanded fercely,
clutching one of the helpless arms.
at am his wife"
Stunned by the unexpected reply, the
miserable woman turned and followed
the men who bore Kenneth to his room.
It was only a faint, from which he soon
recovered. But the bones of his broken
arm had been displaced by his fall, and a
ply stefan had to be summoned to reset it.
When it was over, and all had left the
room save his mother, he turned to her.
"Mother, did l see Eden, IT did I
dream it?"
"You saw her." Grossly and shortly,
n %horl- Cd Horo cofa ~ -n,,r
care. Mother, I have Won my life nearly
away searching for her. She read your
cruel letter, and an hour after we were
married had left M because of it. Tell
her to come to me, dear mother, / have
so longed for a sight of her dear face.
How came she here?'
Mrs. Searle burst into passionate weep
ing. How cruelty wicked she had beenI
As soon as she could speak she related
the circumstances of Eden's coming, but
she dared not tell him his bride was q
hopeless paralytic. Then at last she re-
membered the girl was in a state of cruel
suspense in regard to Kenneth's condition,
and hurried below.
She found her to all appearance dead.
No breath stirred the white breast, and
the dark lashes dropped low upon the
pale cheeks, hiding the sweet eyes.
A mighty fear convulsed Mrs. Searle's
heart. Must she break her boys heart
with the intelligence that death had
stolen his love at the moment of her re-
covery?
But active measures recalled the spirit
lowering on the borderland of the I'M
known, and to the agonized inquiry in
the dark eyes, Mrs. Searle whispered an
assurance that all was well.
The voice she loved best on earth
echoed the words, his dear lips pressed
hers in loves sweet kiss. When she saw
his dear face, so worn and haggard, how
she prayed God to unloose the bonds
which held her, so for one moment she
might clasp him to her heart.
What a pang rent her heart as she saw
the grieved look upon Kenneth's face, as
she passively received his caresses, only
returning his passionate kisses.
She saw by the frightened look upon
Mrs. Searle's face that he was yet in
ignorance of her helpless condition. She
felt as if her heart was breaking. How
could she tell him? How could his hap
piness by such terrible news
Iel nlm mother, she pleaded, her
eyes fixed upon the wretched woman's
face.
"No, no, I cannot"
"Tell me-what ?" demanded Kenneth.
Both were silent, and as he looked
from n to the other, the glad, radiant
look left his face, leaving it inexpressibly
wan and haggard.
els it that you care for me no longer +?
Mother, is this your work? You need
not speak. l will go away again, never
to return"
He turned and staggered blindly toward
the door, but ere he had reached it, two
loving arms clasped his neck.
Kenneth, dear Kenneth, wait, wait -
He clasped her with his one arm, where
she rested almost a dead weight; but in
the excitement Of the moment he did not
notice it. Mrs. Searle was looking on in
wondering amazement.
"Now, dear mother, tell him." Her
&C. $500 -.Iso-4 - a4.I 1oz-s-- L.