Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-01-01

and as for Miss Harrison, accepted 30
ciety's verdict, and looked on her as q
scientific eoquet.
A little after my conversation with
Burton strolled into the conservatory,
and falling into O deep study OF the
case Of patient was attending, for
got all about everything but the dag
nosis was making Of old Mrs. Hanlon's
malady. heard some persons come
10, but did not notice them until the
intensely passionate voice of the man
arrested my attention.
Igianced up, and through the will
derness ofhowers saw Mr.. Erskine and
Miss Harrison; neither of them OBJ
served me; and what read in his face
made it impolite for me to interrupt
him by showing myself. I had never
seen a face In such deadly earnest and
expressing 30 much OF concentrated
passion.
II implore you to answer men he
said, grasping her hands ferceIy; "for
three iuterminable weeks you have
kept me In agony. A week more like
this would kill me-"
"Oh, no, indeed,n she said, In that
soft millifuous voice of hers. "I think
you exagerate, Mr.. Erskine. People
are not so easily killed."
"But love you? / love you! he
cried, almost savagely.
"Do you? That is very kind of you,n
she returned, languidly.
"Do you mean to drive me mad?
Annie Harrison, love you with my
whole heart and soul, with every nerve
and fiber Of my body! want you for
my wife! my own; own wife! Come
to my arms-it is my right to hold you
against the heart which knows no life
but that you give it,
He flung out his arms toward her;
but she retreated pace or twoI and
raised her face to his. Every word she
spoke was clear and distinct as the ring
of a trumpet, and yet her voice was
lifted scarcely above a whisper.
II will answer you, Mr.. Erskine,
with pleasure. You have heard of
Helen Andrews? Yes; I see you have.
She was my half sister, and loved her
next to my God. You know your part
in the tragedy where you and she were
the principal actors-you know how It
ended. 1t was fortunate for you, cow
ard and h, p critic, that I was In foreign
lands at the time she died, for if had
been on the same soil with you would
have killed you. When the wretched
tale came to my ears, swore to be re-
venged on you; and have taken my
own way to fulfill my vow. Sooner
than wed you would make myself the
wife of the lowest brute in the universe
who could be called man. There,
you have your answer! Cop
She lifted her white hand and pointed
to the door. He obeyed her without a
word. His face was white as death,
and his eyes had in them sort ofstony
desperation which sent chill to my
heart.
Half an hour later I was sent for in
haste to the Royal Hotel. Erskine
stayed there. He had shot himself,
the messenger said, but was still liv-
ing.
found him conscious, but sinking
rapidly. He was bleeding internally,
and the agony he was suffering would
soon be over. There was nothing I
could do but administer something
that would make his pain less poig-
nant. -.-.--.-.-.
ALDEN" said he, feebly, "I meant to
do the job without bungling, but /
failed miserably. You know the reas-
on why I judged it better to die than
live. Miss HARRISON .--...--
"Yes, yes," I said; "I heard your
conversation in the conservatory
"She was just. I do not. blame her.
But, oh, doctor, I loved her so, and she
might have changed the tenor of my
life! Iwould have beenjust what she
had willed should be! And must see
her before die! I want to ask her for
|giveness-to hear her say that she will
accept the sacrifice of my worthless life
as an atonement for the wrong I did
her sister!r R-3rafe ..ss
I tried to dissuade him, for 1 knew
Miss Harrison's naughty pride, and I
feared she might refuse the summons
to his death bed, which showed how
little knew of the nature of the wo-
man, for even as was arguing with
my patient, the door Of the room was
opened, and Annie Harrison came in!
She went straight to the bedside,
knelt down and lifted Erskine's head
against her bosom.
"My darlingP' she said, in tone
whose tenderness made by own blood
thrill like wine, twill you forgive me?
had no right to take Gods
vengeance out of His wise hand! Ihad
40 right to spurn you as I did. And
yet only He knows what it cost me!
For, Julian, love you as have never
loved any earthly thing! Oh, my dar-
ling! my darling!'-and, bowling her
face on his, she gave way to a fit of
sobbing which shook her from head to
foot.
/ stole out of the room and left them
together, When I went back there
was new and beautiful peace on both
faces. But death was already dropping
its palor over the brow of poor Erskine.
He knew by my expression that he
was passing rapidly, and with his last
strength he turned his lips to her
cheek.
Farewell, dearest" he said, softly;
II will wait for you in another world.b
His eyes closed-he lay still. After
awhile | touched his pulse and knew
he was deadl
Annie Harrison is an old woman
now, but she has never married. She
is living out her life quietly. When
all is over, will she find him waiting
for her in another world2 Only He
knoweth!