Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-09-13
A SUMNER STORY.

I1OUt SCI ntT NdSt VI freshly
gathered roses upon the table, and
then, going to the window, drew the
white dimity curtain slightly back, to
let i'm some of the soft, sweet sunshine
of the Summer morning.
1t fell, tenderly as caress, upon q
darkly handsome face and manly form
lying in the white-draped bed, on the
other side of the room-a face pale and
somewhat drawn with suffering, but
which lit up with glad smile as the
dark eyes followed Midred's gentle
movements about the room.
"You are better, this morning, Mr..
Vernon" she said, with a sweet half
timid smile, as she came forward, in
answer to that wistful look. IL met
the doctor on the porch, and he told
me he had no fears at all this morning
about your recovery"
Yes. | am little better. though
Nhe pain isn't all gone yet he an
swered. slowly, the muttering weak
ness of his voice betraying that fact
even more than did his words. Don't
60, Please" he added almost plead
ingly. as he thought she was about to
turn away. Your flowers and you
have done so much to make me forget
my suffering"
II was not going" replied Milred,
simply. Il am glad il can do any
thing to tighten your pain, or make
the long hours pass more quickly. SO,
what shall it be this morning, Mr..
Vermont" she went on, with cheer
full smile. Shall | read to you, Or"
Eyes, though | would great deal
rather talk, he interrupted, and there
was a hint of mischief in the faint
smile that played about his handsom me
lips. But the doctor has forbidden
that; so, if you Will get that book we
were reading yesterday, and just lay
one OF those red roses on my pillow"
'Yes, YES broke in Mildred, hasti-
ly, fearful that he was going To set the
doctors order at defiance.
And. selecting several of the love
Hest and sweetest roses from the vase,
she laid them on the snowy pillows
near him, ana moment later seated
herself in n willow rocker beside the
tsSle, with the favorite volume on he +
b. And for nearly an hour her sweet,
w voice was the only sound that
oke the silence Of the room, save
me sweet strain Of bird music. which
pw and then fluttered in through the
Pen windows.
She made a charming pict2re. with
e morning sunlight falling on her
onde hair and pure complexion; with
sweet rose-red lips, and the deep,
II gray eyes, lifted now and then at
me thrilling passage in the story she
| hs reading.
Ford ' rnon watched her silently,
dreamy, dark eyes filling with n
| pix which no one had ever seen in
| EN- until now.
But gradually the soft, monotonous
mes produced the effect which
ildred had desired. and Us those visit
eyes closed peacefully, and his deep,
gular breathing reached her ears,
e laid down her book, with little
sh of relief and pleasure.
A ''He has fallen asleep, she murmur-
standing for moment looking
pity down upon the pale, dusk face.
I That is just what the doctor would
we wished How handsome he is!
|, wv much handsomer and noble than
1 " other man | have ever seen. All!
W strange that fate should have sent
m here like this! and how-how
lely our home will be when he gets
A light shudder passed over her
aceful frame at the horror of the
ought, and she hurried, lightly and
~ lily as a spirit from the room lest the
avy sigh that threatened TO burst
m her lips should awaken him, and
rhaps betray the grief that she
uld not have him guess for all the
rid.
Three days before he had been In
ed. with many others, in RAILROAD
sident; and when he had been
Ill pught fatally hurt $50 it was thought
the time) to her home, Mildred s.
lrt had thrilled. even then, at III e
1 i sight of the grandly handsome
LII b, looking as white and as still as il
tn had already claimed it.
Sut his injuries had proved much
1ter than was at first feared; and he
lild not be compelled TO stay very
g in the pretty country home which
aid never be the same To Mildred
in after il had once known, and
a lost forever, the charm OF his
sence.
or all that she conscientiously sec
ed all the Doctors efforts TO hasten
recovery of his interesting patient,
1t was with a strangely mingled
1ness and heaviness of heart that
saw him grow brighter and
niger as the days passed on.
| must be prepared TO say goodbye
ny moment, now. she said TO her.
pressing her hand against her
pbbing heart as she sunk down up
bench among the rosebushes.
4. Vernon is we'll enough To travel
~. and, OF course, there ISIS moth
20 make him wish to stay with us
ser."
Miss Mildred" exclaimed a pleasant
e, still rather weak and unsteady:
springing to her feet with swiftly
hging color, Mildred was face TO
with the hero of her thoughts.
o sunk half YEARLY upon the bench
CHI she had occupied, and with a
q motioned her to sit beside him.
Miss Mildred, don't you think it
1t time that | took myself OFF," he