The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1891-01-08

toward Natalie, and Brenda perceived
that her dster-in- law labored under Wis
ible annoyance or worriment, It was
hard to tell precisely which
Shortly after dinner time one sultry,
nfeless evening a servant came to Bren.
da and told her that Mr.. Bond had sud
denly been taken very i'll Hurrying 10
her brothers apartment Brenda Sound
him stretched on q sofa near one Of the
windows, looking pale as death. His
wife sat beside him, chafng one Of hii
hands between her own, and seeming Ia
be overwhelmed by distress
Its his heart" she whispered 70
Brenda. He has had one or two i'll
nesses like this before. They are usually
followed by faintness, just as you Gee.
though this is no more severe than any
other that has yet visited him"
u shall send at once for DR.. South
gate" +" said Brenda. with decision. She
promptly went toward bell and rang 1t.
Natalie looked at her with an abrupt,
challenging stare. Louis does not need
DOCTOR" she said. He is better now.
Besides, she went on with an obstinacy
that bore strange contrast to her former
mien Of grief. "a rural doctor like that
might do him more harm than good
Tomorrow, II he is strong enough, We
viii 60 to town and see some physician
Of authority"
Brenda gave a slight sarcastic smile
Il disagree with you," she said, land
shall send for DR.. Southgate."
Natalie rose hAughtily from the chair
beside her husband. "You shall not set
your will against mine" she said. "You
are always delighting in opposite viewa
to my own Ever since married Louis
you have seen ct to treat me with either
concealed or open insult"
Just then Louis opened his dark eyes
and Brenda saw, as they fixed themselves
on hers, that they burned like diamonds
"Iouisi" she exclaimed, fastening to-
ward him; do not you sanction my
sending for DR.. SouthgateT
NO." he answered. But while Brenda
started back in despair at this unwel.
come reply he put forth his hand with
q slight, unmistakable motion. Brenda
at once seized the hand between both her
own and sank down at his side.
She perceived the next instant that he
was more III than she had ever seen him.
Across Brenda's shoulder he looked Of
bis wife.
Natalie" he said, In voice that was
husky, and yet contained a ring Of COM
mand, II wish to speak q few words
18th ,,nyy aiutar Vo,, yo,,raa1R na,, 80
and tell them that the bell which heard
Brenda ring need not be answered. Do
you understand meS lhope that you do.
Those last two brief sentences had not
. sign Of menace, and yet there was
something in their low emphasis that
made the color slip from Natalie's cheeks.
Dear Louis" she broke forth . mo-
ment afterward. however in tender,
persuasive tones, "you had best not
talk with any one this EVENING" To.
morrow
DO as ! desire you," Louis inter
rupted. His voice was not much above
Q whisper, but Brenda recoiled from
him as she heard 1t, so unlike his usual
self did 1t seem, so compelling, 30 COM
mandant, and yet 90 terribly tranquil
Natalie went to one Of the doors and
slowly opened it. She disappeared slow
ly, too, as II some magnetic form were
insisting upon the edt
Louis hand trembled q little now In
Brenda's hold But soon 1t lay there
quite still again Hepresently spoke, but
e II with intentional caution against a
possible listener. Brenda, leaning for.
ward 90 that his breath almost swept
her cheeks, was Just able to hear each
word as it fell from his pale and slightly
twitching lips.
my sister-I have wronged you very
much Yes-I see this-now, when death
has laid hold Of me and there may be
only q few hours left me to live. Brenda
don't start like that-it is nothing, this
change we call death. But to die e. !
am dying Is an exquisite comfort. ]
would not live on, Brenda, for an empire.
Ny part of life is done-utterly done.
have loved that woman, Natalie Leve-
ridge, with an immense passion, an I'M
mense constancy. What I forced her to
tell me the other evening thereis no need
Of my telling you. You are mere girl;
you could not avenge me. But all has
grown clear to me, and l know beyond q
doubt that some one else will"
Some one else2 Oh, Louis
Hush, Brenda. You see how weak
am. Ny brain seems TO swim now. There
q o paper here in my breast pocket.
Reach up your band. Take It and hide
II q though your own life depended on
Its Jealous concealment. Have you found
e, Brendar
Eyes, Louis, yes."
Have you hidden itY
"Yes-yes."
dNow, remember. When I am laid
IN my cofln-not until then-get q
chance TO place It against my heart Just
q you found it placed q minute ago
Don't let her see you. But Gerald will
come; he,will come the day Of the fu-
neral, even II something should delay
him from the funeral itself And then
= soon as you and he shah meet tell him
where you put the paper. WIN you
swear to me, Brenda, that you viii carry
out this wish Of mineS"
"YeS Louis, I win swear with my
whole souli But
@.The paper is sealed close, as you win
Sea and bears no inscription. It Il some
thing l wrote yesterday. Ihave been IN
fearful suffering for hours past, but ]
have guarded this even from her. And
don't grieve much for me, Brenda I'm
. thousandfold happier at going than
staying. To live now would only be one
prolonged anguish. Some day I think
that Gerald win make everything clear