The morning call., 1891-11-06


| avoid noise had failed to fasten it. What
| if the patient had awakened and overheard
our conversation? l glided forward and
peeped in. His face was from me, and he
lay motionless.
Somewhat treasured, stole into the room
till | could see his face. 1t was white as the
linen it lay upon: the eyes were closed, but
the agony of the expression will haunt NE
till my dying day.
He became aware Of my presence, l sup
pose, for he opened his eyes. As they met
mine the face changed, a faint smile played
upon it. He looked tired-that was all:
The effort of a will whose strength had
never suspected entirely altered the eX-
preston.
al think l will sleep little longer II you
will leave me-" he said
Well, my dear. the sleep was not bene-
fetal, and toward evening he grew more
tired When Miss Ressie entered to pay
the customary visit l saw her start. and her
inquiries after his health were more sVllcl-
tOu> than usual.
The long confinement and inaction are
telling upon me-" he explained; Il must
get out and away as soon as possible"
There was no talk that evening; he was
too tired; she must sing TO him. She did
sO-a pathetic ballad, | remember, about a
w0man's unreguited love, true AMI stead
fast, of which she died.
There was scOrnful smile on his feat
voice.
The music is good, the sentiment excel
lent an ingenious work of fiction truly"
Miss Ressie said nothing, but she did not
sing again for days, until a time L will tell
you OF presently.
Meanwhile Mr.. Hugh grew weaker. going
back as rapidly IS he had at first improved.
1t gave me the heartache to watch his ewes
growing larger and more brilliant, two large
circles forming under them. He said his
sleep was broken, lie had bad dreams. His
manner Lad changed also, not to me, but to
Miss Ressie. His face never lighted up at
her approach, although | believe he would
sit and wait for it with fsverish impotence
as the hour drew near.
Nor did his voice soften as in the first
conversation; 1t was cold and grave always.
Respectful and deferential, but with quiet,
dlgnited indifference almost painful to me-
who could count the cost at which the COM
posture was maintained in tie feeble pulse
and worn, haggard countenance when his
visitor had retired He insisted upon re-
criying her and dressing for the interview,
though | knew the eXertion was too great
and | feared the end was drawing on apace.
Whether or not Miss ResSie suspected it
cannot say. Sometimes | thought So for
she often wore panied, contTite express
sion, and | used TO fancy conscience re
preached her. She was unwel also, but in
anxiety for Mr.. Hugh l thought little of
that. One day as | was fastening his collar
lie tainted, but revived almost immediately,
smiling at my trouble.
ut is too much for me-" he said. Il
shall keep my bed from to-day, until l find
my rest
had to rush away on some excuse or
other, lest l should burst out crying, and so
agitate him. Miss Ressie met me. | told
her IN few words what my grief was, and
left her.
1t was almost dark, just as it is now,
when Miss ReSsie joined US that evening.
She did not see me, for | was seated on the
low chair in that corner; nor did Mr.. Hugh
know of my presence, for he was stretched
on the lounge by the window and his head
was from me.
Mss Ressie's first words were not very
distinct. Th-re was a kind of catch in her
voice. which Mr.. Hugh detected instantly.
W hat troubles you?' he asked.
Your Illness" was the brief reply.
softly and musingiy, Thank Heaven! Sit
there" he said; Il want to'talk to YOU
pointing to low ottoman beside him.
She complied silently.
You have not sung to me" he continued
and l noticed the old tenderness had come
back to his yOlce-"slnce | sneered at a
wOman's love. | crave your pardon for
my fault! Sing NE that song once more"
She hesitatrd.
Sing it, Ressie, once more" he whis-
perei.
1t was the first time he had called her by
that name.
Mournfully the tones of the sweet young
voice swellrd and died away in the still
twilight. l lOnged TO creep out of the room,
for felt Ike an eavesdrOppeT; hut | dared
not move hand or foot TO break the holy
spell of that moment. | boa ed INV head
and wept n0iselessly.
"Ressie, it was in the bitterness of my
heart that called your song an ingenious
hctlon. Do you remember what had passed
on that same day between yourself aud
your uurSe?
He paused for reply. but none came.
Il overheard the conversation, and it
taught me our relative positions. | was
your kinsman, your guest, whom you de-
lighted tn hOnor-I must take my chance
with the rest. You were-oh, Ressie my
love- my lover
There We're few seconds of silence save
that the little golden clock ere licked
steadily, and through the window, open ed
an inch or two at the top. came the fainteSt
rustic OF leaves | could not see distinctly {:
bnt fancied that Miss ResSie's head sank
lower till it rested on the frame work OF his
couch, also that his thin white hand was
wandering caressingiy over her golden hair.
was your guest; you were my life
darling, and his voice took deep, solemn
tone. have fought with my love brave
", day by day-ay, and night by night
Had been well and strong. | would have
crushed it ont and killed It. | Was III and
weak-it is killing me!'
There was another silence. The tick Tick
OF the clock Was painfully aud bic. and
gentle hum of Insects stole through the
window. Presently Mr.. Hugh spoke again.
Ihere Is no humiliation in owning this
ResSIe. l grapped boldly with INV love. AS
brave man ought when he knows that it
Is hopeless. l can face death DO diy, as a
soldier and Christian should, and welcome
II. Since that day l think | have never by
look or tone betrayed myself Even now /
could hold my peace but that | have sume-
thing to beg for the sake of the great love
bear YOU"
She was trembling now-trembing so
violently that l could feel the very flour
shake; but he did not heed it apparently.
My darling, you delighted 10 honor me
and that fatal gift of yours, nurse call ed
it, won me, body and soul. Not me alone.
YOU know, others; good men and true it
robbed Of happiness and peace. | do not
blame you, Ressie-that were disloyal-and
you are perfect in my eyes; but will you
give me a promise never again to exert your
power till you love as du?"
She raised her head.
rs that all | may give yOu?'
IT Is the only desire have, save one.
That dare not tell yuu.''
What is it?" she asked simply.
"Oh, Ressie, my beloved. | dreamed one
night tnat your IDS were on mine-tnat Won
kissed me once, darlingw
In an Instant there was q CLEAN of bare
leweled arms encircling his neck, and her
whisper, low and distinct, reached me.
As for your first request, my love gre w
with yours-equals yours-is yours As for
the second"
1t was my opportunity, dear-that realiza-
ton OF Mr.. Hugh's dream. l crept from the
room. aud they will never suspect tn .t
there was witness to the administering of
that elixir of life which restored Mr. Hugh
at the eleventh hour. He is travelling now
with Miss Ressie ami the squire-his wife
and father-in- law that is. "All's WELL" |
nave heard. that ends well" but may you
never know the fear of such an ending as
once seemed inevitable my dear-that is all !
Surrel-Horse Day.
1t was sorrei-horse day in the Justice
Court Yesterday. Louis Kahn sued K.l,r