The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1890-01-03
ERICA'S SACRIFICE,
A QUESTION OF
Forgiveness or Dishonor.
CHAPTER I.

Erica?o
Sharp and clear came the voice from
the bed, speaking in the polished ac-
cents of gentle birth and breeding, and
q thin white hand was put out, and
drew aside the curtain, and the large
eyes, so bright still, peered out into the
half-darkened room.
A woman came in quickly from an
inner apartment, and stepped up to the
bed.
Miss Erica's just gone to take a bit
o. rest, mistress,n she said, firmly but
gently, putting the hand that clutched
hers back under the bed covering
"What d'you want her for?"
II am going soon-very soon," the
the tone. II must see her-mustl Do
you hear, Joan? Go, bring her and
leave u.s.
She sank back as if exhausted, but
her eyes wandered round the room yet.
"Arnold, my best-beloved," she NUT
tered. Yes, for thee, foe thy salvation,
she is strong"
"Mr. Arnold amt here, Mistress"
said the attendant. Hes been sent
for"
Eyes, yes, | know, ;, said her mistress
aBlessed lamb!a muttered the nurse
as she left the bedside, land she only
Just asleep.n
She passed back into the inner cham
Der, where a light was Pickering in the
fresh, damp sea breeze that blew in at
the open easement, carrying with it the
smell of brine and seaweed.
1t lifted, too, and toyed with lightly,
the straying rings of chestnut hair lying
on that young girls brow-quite a
young girl-a child, indeed, almost, for
chm chnronl cno ~ %In,. ;too
slender of make, exquisitely graceful
in the perfect abandon and repose of
her attitude as she lay. breathing softly
and quietly: yet even in sleep there lay
on the broad, grave brow an anxious,
sorrowful shade that told of nights of
watching, of constant grief pressing
on mind and body.
"Poor lassie!n said Joan, looking
down on her kindly. sit do seem a
shame to waken her, but l must"
But either Erica was scarcely asleep,
or ever in sleep she was ever on the qui
tfre, for she opened her eyes-great
heayily-fringed dark eyes suddenly,
and started up, pushing the hair from
her forehead.
"vhat is it, Joan?" she said under
her breath. "Mother-"
she wants you, dear" said the
nurse; ''she called a while back, and
seems in a lidget-like for you, and keeps
on about Mr.. Arnold"
''I,n CO."
The girl slipped off the couch-a tall
slim figure clad in loose white dressing
robe-and glided silently into the next
room, closing the door of communica-
ton, and came round to the bedside,
bending tenderly over the form lying
there.
you wanted me, dear mother" she
said, gently. II am here"
"Ah, you are here; you are my strong
Erica" the mother said, and a sigh of
satisfaction escaped her. "Kneel down,
child, and listen to me-"
Wondering a little, and fearing that
her mind was wandering, Erica knelt
beside the bed, holding in her warm and
firm clasp the clammy hand which al
ready lay heavy in hers.
" am clear in my mind, Erica" Mrs.
Vernon spoke collectedly and solemnly,
and a strange w crept over the girl as
she listened. 81 am very near my death,
and my mind knows no rest for the fore
boding that is on my spirit for Arnold's
sake. Though he is not my son, l have
loved him-aye, l do love him with a
strength that shall endure beyond the
grave, for his mother, my darling Mabel,
put him into my arms when she died,
s'iit atsC nv WV lA1lAA 90 IL oNhs L
have done that-aye, more than l have
loved you, my poor child. who are my
w flesh and blood. He needed it
more-he needed it more! Arnold is
weak and Maynard" the dying woman
went on, .syou are strong and steadfast
sufficient for yourself, sufficient to guide
and protect. Erica, you love me?" she
said suddenly, half-raising herself and
tightening her hold of the girls hand.
Mother - The girl stopped,
choking down the burning, passionate
words that rushed to her lips-could
words, indeed, utter the love she bore
the second place, after all? Mother
she said, then, earnestly and softly
"you know how l love you! l would
give my very life for your sake!'
Mrs. Vernon turned aside for a brief
moment. How cruelty that unseliish
love reproached her now. But still, fol-
Arnold's sake, she would prove it.
You would lay down your life fol
me- she said slowly. II believe you
child. / ask you to do that. Hush
hear me. l ask you to give it me in Civ,
do not mean as his wife-unless, il
future years, you both wish it-but yor
must be his protector against himself
his guide, his strength. Arnold is
Maynard and wild. Oh, Erica! my sou
quails to think of him left alone to fight
for himself in this dread battlefield O
temptation, and wrong, and sin. Ware
off the consequences of his falls, protect
him from all evil, whatever be the cost
to you or to others!' She lifted her.
self now, laying an impassioned CLASP
on the girls shoulder, her eyes eager
bright with the fervor of her appeal
swear" she said in low passionate
tones, swear by all your hopes O.
Heaven, by all you value and hold deal
to love and protect Arnold Murra,
through evil report and good report, ii
honor and dishonor; to shield him from
all danger, however incurred; to do thi.
without counting the cost to yoursel1
or others; to suffer loss, shame, misery
in his place! Swear, l say, and then
and then l can die!'
With a strange awe on her spirit, (;
strange power laying her soul under
spell, from which she yet revolted il
the wild terror of her despair, the cir
put out her hands, as though by tina
; she could ward off the black cloud clos
with smothered words:
Mother, mother! spare me! Not
that. | cannot do all that you would
bind me to. Oh, spare me!o
Child, | am dyingl I ask this last
proof of the love you say you bear me
My soul is in torture-will you not put
me out Of pain, that l may die il
peace?"
In quick, heavy sobs came the girls
breath, in wild, excited throbs beat hel
heart. No, it was not much-only al
oath made in the presence of death, on
ly something that should tie her witt
strong cords hand and foot.
Then she lifted her face, and slowly
in measured accents repeated the terri
BILE words that bound her to sshield Ar
mold Murray from all danger, in homo;
or dishonor, not counting the cost t,
herself or Others"
And then she kissed the cross sh,
wore, and knelt on still with bowet
head and clenched hands; and the WON
an fell back with a long sigh of relief
and waited quietly for death.
And thus Erica took up her life bur
den.
CHAPTER II.
"oUR'' MISS ERICA.
Tho Coo low rl;rtipu ,,,,dar 4ba rlo,,