The National tribune., 1892-09-01

| She opened the door and went in. Tom was
light sleeper, as rule, but he did not stir.
| Poly's heart beat little quicker than usual.
4 as she put the jug down on the table. There
was sound as if it touched something, and
! then a small thing rolled on to the floor.
| She stopped and picked it up. 1t was the
| empty bottle
| Then she realized from what she had saved
| him.
| But had she saved him2
| How still he lay
| fear seized her. She ran to the window
and pulled up the blind SO as to let in sum
| light; then she came back to the bedside aud
! dared to look at him.
He lived-he breathed! She had averted q
| tragedy. She burst into tears and flung her.
self on her knees by the bedside, praying
| aloud. Tom heard her before he had the
| strength to open his eyes.
"Oh, God! Thank you for sparing him.
| Help him to live his life bravely. Make him
happy Let him one day rejoice that he was
| prevented from doing this thing"
| He was not dead. then. The laudanum had
| failed to do its work. What did it all mean2
"Sir' said Polly. "Mr. Cheadle are You
awake?"
Oh the dreariuess Of it'll There was weight
upon his heart as he gazed about him. He was
! utterly depressed and wretchsd. He pushed
| away the letter she handed him. His effort to
| die had been vain.
"Go away" he said; "let me Sleep"
She looked at him sadly.
"Sir, it is late. Are you going to take .
| holiday to-day. sir?"
He opened his heavy eyes again and sighed.
"No," he said in q dull voice. VI will get
up"
He sickened at the thought of the old dull
| routine, from which he thought he had es-
| capped.
Polly rose. She still held the bottle in her
hand.
| He caught sight of it, and quick red flushed
| his face. He emembered the words he had
heard her say, and the tears were still on her
cheeks
"What-what is that?" he stammered, as
she laid the empty bottle on the bed.
81 think" said Polly, hesitatingly, it must
| have held the sleeping draught you took last
night"
| He knew then that she had guessed the
| truth. He looked away from her honest eyes,
and began fumbling with the letter, mechani.
cally opening it, and reading it, Suddenly he
gave an exclamation and sat up in bed, his
eyes shining and then he broke into hysteri-
cal laughter.
I'll shall not go to the city to-day" he
said, in almost incoherent tones, ~ think-I
| shall never go back. l am rich"
"Mr. Cheadle-sir," cried Polly wondering
| if he had taken leave Of his senses.
| "My uncle died yesterday evening" said
Tom more soberly, though he could not pre-
tend to any grief
| "Oh, sir!" cried Polly, taking hold Of his
hand. BE happy with the money-and good.
| And thank God for saving your life."
"What do you mean, Miss Winter?" said
poor Tom awkwardly.
| The landlady's daughter was not good at de-
| ception. She went down On her knees, and
told him all the truth.
| II couldn't bear to think Of it," she sobbed.
az knew you were unhappy, and l believed
you had use for the horrid stuff, and SO l
| took it to chemists and made him change
| it to sleeping draught. There's-tbere's
| laudanum in it, but there wasn't enough to
hurt you. And-oh, hope you will forgive
me-"
"poIly. :" said Tom, and then he gave a
great sob, and hid his face On the pillow.
| The IandIady's daughter patted his shoulder
| in motheriy manner.
"'You will thank me one day." she said,
"when you are very happy. Never think God
| deserts us. 1t He takes away one thing He
| gives as something else to comfort u.s. Don't
know?"
"Have you ever cared for some one?" asked
| Tom, sheepishly.
81 have, said Miss Winter, "and wouldn't
| marry him now for the world"
why not7" asked Tom.
"There are reasons" said Miss Winter, :" and
ono is, that have found some one else think
shall be happier with"
care you going to be marred7" he in
| quired with interest.
II shouldn's be at all surprised" said she.
with twinkle in her eye He hasn't asked
me yet, but should make him such an excel
! lent wife that believe he will. He is the sort
| of person." she continued, moving toward the
door, THAT needs looking AFTER"
"Polly," Tom cried, for she was blusfing so
| furiously that there was no mistaking her,
"come back!"
1t might have been forward of her, but he
did not think so. He needed love 50 sorely.
Polly shook her head.
mot yet" she said.
"PoIIy," Tom urged, "you have saved my
life. 1t belongs to you. Be my wife"
81 will" said Polly, when you have learned
to love me-"