Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-10-02

rock, prepared the fuel, and lighted il
with match When the flame began to
flicker on the rustic hearth, Clara trem-
bled with JOY and held out both hands to
the blaze.
~Heavensl how nice 1t isl" she said,
and then this is amusing; one would say
we had been shipwrecked. Now, Mr..
Leland, if you would be perfect, go and
see what the doctor says"
He ran to the cottage, and quickly
returned.
-Welll" she exclaimed
"A great deal of hope"
-Oh! how glad ami"
She pressed his hand
Sit down there, she said.
He sat down on a rock near her, and
replied to her eager questions. He re-
peated in detail his conversation with the
doctor. She listened at first with inter
est, but little by little, wrapping her head
in her veil, and resting it on the bough
Interlaced behind her, she seemed to be
intentionally resting from fatigue.
You are likely to fall asleep there, he
said. laughing.
Quite so, 3" she murmured-smiled, and
went to sleep.
Her sleep resembled death, it was so
profound, and SO calm was the beating
of her heart, so regular her breathing.
Leland knelt down again by the hearth,
to listen breathlessly and to gaze upon
her.
From time to time he seemed to medi-
tate, and the solitude was only disturbed
by the rustling of the leaves.
His eyes followed the Pickering of the
flame, sometimes resting on the white
rock, sometimes on the woods, sometimes
on the arches of the high trees, as though
he wished to fix in his memory all the
details of this sweet scene. Then his
gaze would rest on the young woman.
clothed in her beauty, grace and contiding
repose.
that moment on this sonber soul-what
hesitation, what doubt assaiIed it? What
images of peace, truth, virtue, and hap
piness passed into that brain full of
storm, and chased away phantoms of the
sophistries he cherished? He himself
knew, but never told.
The brisk cracking of the wood awak-
ened her. She opened her eyes in sur
prise, and as she saw the young man
kneeling before her, addressed hiEa:
-" How are they now, MIR. Lelandf"
He did not know how to tell her that
for the last hour he had but one thought,
and that was of her.
The doctor appeared suddenly before
them.
SThey are saved. Mrs. Denton" he
said, abruptly; come and see for your
self, and then return home, or We shall
have to cure you tomorrow. You are
very 1IlpruQenG 10 nave I0Mh1uSu IL luO6O
damp woods, and ii was foolish of Mr..
Leland to let you do So"
She took the doctors arm and re-enter-
ed the cottage. The two children, now
reused from the dangerous torpor, but
who seemed still terrified by the threat
ened death, raised their little heads. She
made them a sign to keep quiet, and
leaning over their pillow, kissed them.
TO- morrow, my darlings, she said.
/ But the mother, half laughing, half cry
ing. followed Clara step by step, speak
ing to her, and kissing her hand.
LET her alone" cried the doctor, quer-
tllously. 60 home, Mrs. Denton. MIR.
LELAND, take her there"
She was going out, when the old rag
picker, who had not before spoken, and
who was sitting in the corner of the room
asAif stupefed, rose suddenly, seized the
arm of Mrs. Denton, who, slightly terri
fed, turned round, for the gesture of the
man was so violent as to seem menaclng;
his eyes, hard and dry, were fixed upon
her, and he continued 10 squeeze her
arm with contracted hand.
My friend, she said, although rather
uncertain.
Yes. your friend" muttered the old
ragy-Picker, with hollow voice; yes, re-
N emberi whatever comes, your friend!
He could not continue; his mouth
worked as if in a CONFUSION, his fright
ful weeping shook his frame; he then
threw himself on his knees. and they saw
a shower of tears force themselves
through the hands clasped over his face.
Take her away, sir, said the doctor.
Leland gently pushed her out of the
cottage and followed her. She took his
arm and descended the rugged path which
led to her home.