Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1890-07-24

-~e@~@AfSoc AiSukC VII tIo bOih, OQu nttn-
house drew back involuntarily. He had
not realized till now all that he had lost
All that he was losing. Though he had
been told 1t over and over again, he never
really recognized that the woman he once
loved so passionately the pretty, bright
girl, with her rosy cheeks, her lau2hin,
eyes, and her heart full OF the fondest,
most innocent love, was dying.
lie was married now-anOther woman
owned his duty, and possessed great dea
Oh the tenderness that no honorable mar
can fail TO give to a creature SO utterly de.
pendent on him as his wife is--but Emil,
hendal had been his first love. All thu
memories or IL, ana or ner, rushed upor
MIN with an agony irrepressible. He
grasped Mrs. Knowle by the arm as she
was going into the sick-room.
wait minute-stayl-sa say I'll come
presently"
And he rushed away, right down the
staircase, and through the first open doc,
for 1t was high summer, and the air was
full OF sunshine and roses-into the garden.
1t was half an hour before he returned,
which cave time for them to meet, as alone
was possible these two could meet as old
friends calm, tender, self-possessed =
friends over whom hung the sacred shadow
or the eternal parting-at least the parting
which We call eternal in this world though
It often makes closer and nearer, for the
rest OF life, those who otherwise would
Dave been forever divided.
Perhaps Emily felt this; for as she raised
qerself little from her sofa. and held out
her hand to Mr.. Stenhouse, there was not
. trace of agitation or confusion in her
manner.
Il am very glad to see you. 1t was SO
kind OF you to come. Did you leave your
wife quite we'll? and all the children?"
Commonplace, simple words they were
the simplest, most natural. that could
possibly be chosen-and yet they were the
best and safest. They took off the edge
OF that sharp agony which was thrilling
through every fiber of the strong mans
heart. They brought him back to the COM
monpiace daily world, to his daily duties,
and his ordinary ways. The wholesome,
saving present came between him and the
delirious past And though it was Emily's
Old smile, her very tone of voice, and
trick OF manner she had-how we'll he re-
called it, of half extending her hand, draw
ing it back, and then putting it forward
again, with the uncertainty that was the
weak point in her character-sti he had
no desire to snatch her to his arms, and
hold her there, in her old, familiar place,
like any mortal woman. He felt inclined
rather to stand apart and gaze at her, as
she lay, consecrated tiom earthly emotion,
IN her almost superhuman peace, or else to
fall on his knees and worship her, as Dante
Worshlped his Beatrice when he met her in
the fields OF Paradise. And he found him.
sell powerless to say any other words than
one or two, as brief and inexpensive as
her own.
Ny wife and the children are well. II
was very good Of you to send for me, after
! had been SO rude, 80 ungrateful almost,
to your husband"
:. Emily bent her head, acquiescing; and
then, as if with great effort:
Il had something to say to you-some-
thing thought you would listen 10, from
me. now. / entreat you to accept this
partnership. 1t will be good thing for
you, and an equally good thing for Sir
John and Mr.. Knowle. You would like Sir
John very much if you knew him very well.
De knew nothing about you and me till
ia,sly Ana q e has been such good, good
Thank q ,r that S-if he had
been anythiy II than good 4 you-"
And the1 as5,eed BY the s6und Of his
own harsh jarring on the stiffness Of
he roo9 Hstill more SO by perceivinp
me SUD- n tremor that came over LADY
bowerDs he stopped, recognizing the
,ancuty OF sickness of near advancing
Heath.
Yes, he added, almost in a whisper. II
EEL very grateful to Sir John Bowerbank:
am not ashamed of his knowine--in-
Iced, have been asking Mrs. Knowle to
ell hIm-how very poor we are, and are
likely to remain; and that if he really still
wishes me to accept his offer. will do my
Utmost to prove deserving of it,"
viii you? oh, will you?" clasping her
lands IN her old, pretty childish way ad
she was very glad of.
John Stenhouse turned away.
1T is not easy, but will do it because
'ou wish it-for your sake"
mo, do it for your own" said Emily.
olemnly. with all the old childish manner
zone. DO it, that you may take wise
mans advantage of this chance of getting
N IN the world, and living fully the life
nat is before you. Think, a life Of twenty,
hirty years, with work to do, and money
use, and influence to make the most of. |
or the good OF yourself and all that belong |
you. That is what | want. | want Won |
lead your own noble, active, useful life |
Just as l once planned it-though il was
ot to be beside me, and though shall not
ven see it; for | am going away, John |
on know that?s
he could not deny it; he did not even
tempt to do SO; he Just moved his Inns.
ut they would not form sound.
les, going away-in few days, or q
Nv weeks more. to where know 1 shall
quite happy happier than ever could
here. l only wished before I went to
i you know the truth. She," glancine to
lrs. Knowle, she has told you all?"
Yes" he muttered, but attempted not
Or did Emily offer, any further explana,
on. One husband, the other a wife.
18th the shadow of the dead father between
lem-it was impossible. The past was
'er and done. But the present was peace
all peace.
And now good-by, and God bless youl"
ia Emily, family. Give my love to your
lie; Does she know anything about me?"
No; never told her"
All! well, let that be as you choose.
nd one thing-I know I have forgotten
he thing that had to say to you0Mrs.
nowle. what is it? Oh, my head. Please.
rs. Knowle, will you help me?" with the
lerulous tone and wandering eve which
Id at once how fast her sand of life was
inning. Yes, l remember now; it was to-
We you this" taking valuable diamond
ooch from under her pillow, "and to ask
u IT you ever have little daughter Of
ur own, to give it 10 her from me. And !
rhaps, IT your wife did not object, Won (
'uldn't mind calling her Emily2S !
Nobody answered. or rt,rraJ - -. .