Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1890-12-03

| 0ky.'"
The sweet story was told Esther, as
"the seal Of their eternal love-" the
mark Of the cross, had been cut on the
inside, and the old setting made it un-
like any other. With prayer, thou
sand years in one moment Of Joy, kiss
% and tears, the ring was the sign Of
betrothal.
The old servants in Virginia declared
that "good luck always come wild dat
shinin' STAR" and their dear Miss
Mary" had but to put her hand on
them, with the "hebenly stone" to
chase away all evil.
From the handsome diMng-room
and The glowing parlors the guests
we're going home. The pretty swing
ing kettle was set aside, and the merry
girls were saving goodnight. Robert
arove with Esther in her carriage to
her door. Wesrily she leaned her head
On his shoulder, and cried like tired
child.
"Robert, am sick Of all these things.
Father Is more bitter in opposing our
marriage, and feel as If something
were going TO separate u.s."
Robert said, as he held her Closer
"My darling, what can come be-
tween US? Your father can't separate
usI"
"But Pm SO tired Of this opposition
l-disgusted with the count. All, l
bate him !-despise him 30 heartily"
Esther, keep up good cheer, my
peauttful; keep our precious stone
close to your heart. The charm old
nanny believed In will keep you for
me-"
They fingered at the door; Esther
bent her head low for one more good
night kiss.
"A telegram for you, Mr.. Wal
bridge" said the clerk Of his hotel,
when he reached bis room. II ran: -
"Your brother is dying. Come"
Robert stared at the words. He
CROPPED about his room in q helpless
sort Of way. Was Esther right? But
no one heard his low spoken words.
The midnight train found him whirl-
.ng away from all he held most preo-
ious on earth. Chicago was cold and
dreary; the long days and nights of
travel, up and down sharp grades Of
bill and valley. through the snowy pur-
l t4C LII IIQuLdluS VI ~NS" 14c&4SO-dl
last found him in Sante Fe, at the bed
side Of his younger brother, who
was dying Of yellow fever. The
Medcans and the good American
doctor alone took care Of him.
Robert fearles.ly went to his room,
and never left him until he died.
"I have taken the risks" he said
"and God will take care Of me-"
Hs left long explanatory letter fol
Esther, but received no reply. Her
father watched II burn to ashe: and
said nothing.
"Eow cut up Esther looks about the
sudden disappearance Of that artist"
said one.
Snow, Esther, what did you say OF
DO TO him | said another.
she was suddenly called away"
was Esther's cool, quiet answer.
But the awful silence Of his absence
was broker by no sign, and the days
passed into weeks.
No duty was left undone; call. ere
promptly paid; the peniteuce and
ashes Of Lent had bloomed into Easter
lilies. Washington was in her spring.
time glory of golden crocuses and
tulips, the tender germs Of beautiful
foliage. Esther drove and rode heI
spirited "Bess" to the Whitneys' lovely
sountry seat, spent the day al charming
"Red Top" and showed no neglect oI
discourtesy toward her society friends.
She was attended by the detested
Count Msriui and her stately, white,
haired father.
Before Robert could get the affair:
Of his brother settled up, a deadly
WEAKNESS and apathy came over him
More and more he wondered if be
J. could be III. The doctor said "Rur
down-ueeded building up" But
The mud colored adobes, the snowy
peaks Of the lovely mountains, the
old bell tower in the Cathedral enc
the dark face. Of the Mexicans, al
passed before him like dream. The
fever had come! II ran 1t. course
and one day Miguel, the dark-face6
nurse, muttered,-
"Ah, Dios! Soon palace Of God. p
"Ah, bonita se7lor." sighed Do.
.ores. with her pretty hands clasped OIL
her breast, as she made the sign Of the
cross over the senor's white forehead
The American doctor was glad tha,
these faithful nurses failed 10 hear the
pitiful story that fell from the scarlet
lips of the stranger. In broken bits OF
tangled sentences. BE raved Of "home"
Of "my darling, }" "my own one;" and,
stranger than all, with never q name,
never . clew to the woman's kth OIL
kin. Doctor James longed to send q
message, counting this Illness only one
Of the chances Of life.
The sixth week Robert lay waiting
for life to uplift his broken thought:
to consciousness; and when the tide
slowly swept him back. he looked like
the sea-weed forsaken by the strong
wave.
J The wall Of purple mountain. had
grow less white in the June sunshine
the old palace only a step away, with
its one hundred and fifty years OF
crumbling adobe, looked yellow and
hot; stranger. loafed on the piazza.,
and the world seemed 10 have grown
!. older.
a few more days, and lie said feeb,
doctor, did you keep my letter:
/. togstherf must see them please"
None from Esther-uot one. He
looked them over ten times. His eye:
grew dim aud weak; hot tears CT al.
guish sole ont from under hi. whi-e
lids. The big pile Of letters fell 10 the
, door, and, exhausted and bataed, be
.urned on bis couch.
|, The next day he kaid,-
"Doctor, you must send telegram
, for me. Direct to Miss Esther Grant
, Capitol Hill, Washington, D. c."
: But from this message and many