The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-02-13


Frank intended to invite Miss Wiley to
the opera for Thursday, but changed his
mind, and | suppose did not send the
letter. However, am going down to
inquire after him ut noon, and If you
will give me the letter, I'll leave it with
his mother"
''Yes, yes" assented Mr.. Wade,
chats d good idea,
But he still held it in his hand, while
Weaver could hardly retain his desire to
snatch it away.
"If get the cursed thing in my own
hand once. he thought, "it will never be
seen again"
just then Jimmy entered. Catching
sight of the letter in Mr.. Wade's hand,
he exclaimed:
"Why, Mr.. Weaver, You didn't mail
that letter that day."
Weaver turned pale
You don't know what you're talking
about, he said, as Mr.. Wade glanced up
inquiringly,
eyes, do, Jimmy persisted; ''that's
the letter Mr. Hepburn gave me to mail
the day before he got sick. Do you re-
member his saying that little cross was
secret society signs"
"Why didn't you mail it, Jimmy"
Mr.. Wade interrupted, sternly.
''Why, sir, on my way to the office,
Mr.. Weaver took it from me, and said
he'd mail it himself"
l. AL 81
Wade's hand, and turning it over, ex-
claimed:
"'lt's opened now"
There was no need to question Weaver;
the look of bitter hatred he turned on
Jimmy told his guilt more eloquently
than any words
''Mr. Weaver, / am sorry for this, p"
Mr.. Wade said, simply, and left the
room.
His heart was very tender toward the
poor boy he had seen that morning toss
ing restlessly from side to side, and still
trying to murmur Bertha.
''The name is the same" he com
mented. "I'll take her the note and ex-
plain its delay. There may be con-
nection between this and his brain fever
God grant there is.
Hurriedly calling cab, he drove to
the address on the envelope, and was
soon greeted by young lady who re-
sponded to his inquiry for "Miss Bertha
Wiley"
She was very beautiful girl, but
there was none of the gay brightness one
would look for in IA creature SO young.
She had an air OF WEAKNESS like that
which comes from long nights OF sleep
essness and there was suspicion Of
tears in her voice as she greeted her Wis
itor.
SIS this your letter. he asked abrupt
ly.
She looked at him rather haughtily an
instant, then her whole air changed to
one OF intense eagerness as she caught
sight of the address. Yes" she
breathed, and in moment had taken
the note and devoured its contents.
'Wherc did you get it?" she asked,
looking up, the pretty color that tinged
her cheeks as she read dying out, and her
little air of hauteur returning, though
her eyes still danced, and there was a
glad ring in her sweet voice.
Ignoring her question, Mr.. Wade said,
sharply:
''Do you know its writer is dying5n
dying, Frank-on, my darling!"
There was no need to ask if this was
the Bertha. Only one woman can utter
a mans name in that tone. The light
and the color died out of her face in an
instant, and Il hard, strained look came
in their place, more pitiful than any
tears. She put her hand on her heart a
moment, and then said, simply;
"Take me to him, please"
sect your hat, Mr. Wade answered
But she only looked at him again and
whispered: Take me to him"
Without woid more, he led her to
the still waiting cab
On reaching the house, Mr.. Wade left
her in the hall and hurried upstairs. A
few swift words explained to the doctor
below, and be fastened down
on must be very quiet" he said,
gently, though the charge seemed I'M
! necessary in greeting the almost stony
figure that awaited him. .Sleep must
come within an hour or death or hope
less insanity will result; but go to him,
look and speak quietly and naturally,
and if it is you he is dying for "a shud-
der ran through the girll we may save
aim yet.
The girl rose and went to the glass.
'Look and speak naturally" Even in
that hour of anguish she wondered
if the face there was hers. He
would not know those pinched
cheeks, those staring eyes and bloodless
lips. She stood moment biting her
lips, rubbed her cheeks and then smiled
at the glass. That wonderful thing, a
woman's love, had triumphed over nature,
and with smiling face she could meet
Death himself. if smiles would help her
in her desperate endeavor TO rescue her
, beloved from his grasp.
The doctor led the way to the sick
room, opened the door and stood aside
as she entered. Bertha swayed for an
instant as she caught sight of the ptiful,
wasted form extended before her; but
again Love triumphed, and swiftly ad-
vancing to his bedside, she bent above
the wistful eyes and said, clearly and
softly:
Love, did you cali mel'
For a moment the face looking into
hers retained the eager, searching look
it had worn for days: then it died away,
and one of perfect content filed its
place.
BERTHA the pinched lips tried to
say
'.Yes, Bertha, she cooed, softly lay
ing her cool lips on his; land now. dar-
ling. shut your eyes. ] will put my
cheek against yours, and we will rest. u
! Like a tired child, he obeyed her,
nesting his head ON the cool, soft arm
she slipped under it, while the peachy