Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-31

Nv head was in tight bandages and some
thing was binding my chest.
where is Hester 2" | asked. Rayei did
not answer. He was not there, but some
body was holding one OF my hahds. IL
was lady kneeling beside me- her ~, Iace
leaning forward upon the ue9ii wy
could Il be &? | closed my eyes ana listened
To the rustling of the withered lenVes out
side the window and low hummlng OF IN
sects in the autumn sun. These were pro
nbetic sounds and they opened the gates
of Thought and memory. A new lie was
coming on. What was it TO beI Again
felt myself drifting into sleep. | tried to
keep nv ewes open and resist the drowslness
that oyercame me, but in vain. When
awoke Rayel had returned.
"You have slept long time" sara ne
when | fell asleep lady was here"
EYES il was our woman" hereplied-
1.-THE lady YOU love. She has come every
day to see YOU
"Where is she now"
"She had to 90 away, but she Will soon
come back again."
"Mho brought me here?"
81 broke down the door, found you
there. You could not see me nor speak to
me, but I knew you were not dead. Inc
men were gone. / carried you out INTO the
street. Apoliceman met me and told nm
what mad happened. Then the ambulance
came and we put YOU into ii and you were
brought here For a long time you Land
like my father after he was dead. Your
face was white-like snow. They had
stabbed you in the side-they would have
killed YOU if had not broken the door"
"Who struck me :" L asked.
~ knew" he said, his eyes flashing.
knew the devil was in their bands-that is
why wished to go with you. They fol-
lowed us that night"
Who2" | asked, eagerly.
THE Count de Montalle and another
man."
Nv cousins answer amazed me.
"Haye YOU made known your suspl-
cions 2" asked.
"No. have been waiting to talk with
you irst."
do not speak of it vet to any one" l
said LET us await developments.
II foresaw that Rayel would only get q
reputation for insanity if pressed to the
point of explaining his suspicious. 1t
seemed quite likely also that any futile
discussion Of the subject would defeat
Justice.
ter. whom ] had been looking for with
much impotence since had begun to feel
more like myself. She would shortly have
fulfilled all her professional engagements
and would then return at once TO New
York. IL wonder" she added somewhat
coouettishlv, IF you will be glad to see
me,n On this point there was no doubt IN
my,mind, and although my strength In
creased rapidly the days passed with tedl-
Gus slowness after that.
was sitting by the window one morn
ing looking out upon the moving throng
in the opposite street when the door OF my
room was suddenly opened. l supposed
that one of the physicians had come 10 see
me and waited for him to speak.
"Kendric
1t was Rayel who spoke my name, but
somehow his voice did not seem quite ma
tural and turned to greet him.
This is our woman" SAID he, adj
vancing toward me with Hester upon his
arm.
sudden announcement, and took her eX-
tended hand. We looked into each other s
ewes for a moment without speaking. My
own were rapidly filling with tears, and
could see her but dimly.
"What O fine outlook you have!" she
said. in a tremulous voice, turning sud-
denly to the window and looking out upon
the trees now half stripped of their foliage
NV the autumn winds. We both stood
staring out of the window in silence. For
my part / could not have spoken II had
known what to say. How she had changed
The blushing little miss who had awakened
the pangs of first love in my youthful
heart was beautiful young woman now
full grown and arrayed IN costly tnery.
Rayel was first to speak.
SYou must be glad TO meet again; you
have loved each other so long" said he.
Honest Rayell He knew our hearts
their lonCings their histories, and also the
vanity and pride that dwelt in them. Why
should there be any concealment between
her and me.
" II has been a long tlme-a very long
time TO me. Hester. for | have loved you
ever since we first met"
She turned toward me, he eyes filled with
tears, and ! drew her to my heart and
kissed her fondly.
I've have only known each other as
Oh ldren, Kendric," she said. Your heart
may change and may change-let us wait
and see."
Then she left us, promising to come
again next day.