The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-05-09


he said; "be prepared for the worst, and yet
the result is in Gods hands still"
AS fast as it was at all safe to do so
Chester Darlington was told of the past,
and his surprise was unbounded as he
grasped the idea that he had lived so many
years in such a state.
Isabel, at his request, brought small
mirror to his bedside, and he looked at him
self in it. "a white-haired old manr' he
murmured, feebly. "How strange! how
strange!"
His physical strength failed fast, but his
mind was as clear and acute as it had ever
been, and he seemed perfectly aware that
his days were numbered, and he could not
bear to have Isabel out of his sight.
"And l did not know you, DEAR" he said
"How the affectionate heart must have
been grieved.''
"But you know me now, father" she
said, smoothing his white hair.
Eyes, dear, and can tell Alicia all about
our little Isabel when get home"
My poor, poor Chester!' and Mrs. Penn
broke leaEed over the bed and shed great,
burning tears of pity and distress at sigh.
of the White, drawn face.
'Not POOR Chester any more. dear little
mother" he said, gently; "but rich, happy
Sh'oGS1, ilOh lC WIZ was 1OSU ID lOuuu
again, and is going home"
1t was Impossible to mourn for him as for
one cut Off i'll their full strength, and grief
was tempered by rejoicing that his memory
had come back to him so marvelously.
''My dear niece, do not, l beg, reproach
YOURSELF" said Major Darlington, earnest
ly; "the issues of life and death are in
Gods hands, and l look upon it as re-
markable Providence that my poor brothers.
life is ending so happily. If he had stayed
with us he was exposed to danger, also, so
do not grieve, entreat you, on that &C
count" for she had reproached herself bit
terly, thinking that if she had left him in
his quiet home he might have lived many
years.
He had seemed unusually cheerful after
the arrival of his friends, and they hoped
he might be spared for some time. His life
for the past twenty years was perfect
blank to him now, and he was curious to
know what had occurred during the time.
and so far as he thought prudent, Major
Darlington had answered his many ques-
tions
He dropped to sleep quietly at the usual
hour, and the watchers took their places at
the bedside.
At midnight there was a change, his
breathing became more labored and shor.
er, and u heavy, gray pallor settled over
his thin features. Mrs. Montford flew t.
IsabePs chamber. "Come, Mrs. Falconer.
come quickly" she said, hurriedly, and tner
went on to awake Mrs. Pembroke and Major
Darlington and his wife.
He was still s.eeping when they reached
the room, but there was deaths imprint on
his sunken features.
"Oh father, father, can not you speak to
us once more!" cried Isabel, in anguish, a
she watched beside him. He opened hi
eyes feebly, and looked at her long anC
earnestly, as if endeavoring to fix her feat.
ures in his mind.
Mrs. PEMBROKE took his hand in hers
"Dear Chester, you are almost home!" sh,
said.
"Yes, almost there" he whispered, faint
ly, and again his ewes sought Isabel; each
breath was growing fainter, and the death
dews were already on his forehead. He
gave her one look of unutterable love, and
with a last dying effort, gasped brokenly:
"lsabel, my daring CHI" and breathed
his last.
There was a look of perfect peace and hap
piness upon his face as he lay in the dark
ened parlors in his coffin; the noble look o.
his young manaood nad come pack to him,
and the family felt that it was indeed wrong
to mourn for him, who, after so long period
of darkness ana mental Imprisonment, had
found light and liberty, and Isabers grief
was soothed and comiorted by the thought
that his last look had been for her, his
last word had been a word of love tor his
child, and she thanked God for the remem-
brance.
They carried him back to his home in the
South, and a stately monument marks the
spot where he, with the sweet bride of his
youth, sleep sweet!y and quietly together,
separated in life, but united in death.
A strange thing occurred when Major
Caring ION and Mr.. Falconer, with Isabel,
went to remove the young wife's remains.
The sexton remarked upon the unusual