The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1892-02-05
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lungs are delicate, and with SO much
fever one always fears inflammation;
that"
Her heart seemed to die withinh her ma
she stood in the golden sunlight. with
the bright Notwithstanding sky above
ner; but the kindly old eyes looking in
TO herr saw no shadow of the pain there,
heard no infection of it in tho tones of
her steady voice.
NO" she repeated, @we must hone it
Will not come TO that. You must take
great care"
I'VE can't let him owe his death to
u.s." the doctor said, cheerily, turning
away; we'll take too much care for
that"
AT his words Sydney shivered. and
felt cold through all the glory Of the
August sunshine.
Though after all, q shade Of defiance
in her thoughts as she made her way
back to the garden, II am not really UNI
easy. Why should bey He only needs
care"
But words did not Danish the shadow
of anxiety.
But now the days we're oyer, had been
lived through somehow; IND on this
Sunday evening in the long drawing
room, with the windows closed against
possibly treacherous evening air, the
lamps lighted, and a miniature wood
fire burning on the wide, open hearth,
Sydney sat in old Mr.. Loraine's great
armchair by the fireplace, Count Won
Lindenhem on a low seat by her side.
They were alone, for after dinner Mr..
Lorraine had slipped into his beloved
library, and after time, the voices dis
turbing him, he had closed the door of
communication. But now, though they
were thus alone, they seemed to have
but little to cay, although the knowl-
edge was theirs that tomorrow the
parting so long postponed must take
place.
81 would rather CO." Count Linden
helm had said. 81 am not getting we'll;
] am worried, for | ought to be athome.
l shall not get well here" And the doc
tor had given a somewhat unwilling
consent for his departure, seeing the
truth of his words.
She had been restless and unhappy all
day. Even the quiet services in tho
village church had failed to calm her.
The last time, even with a distinct and
definite knowledge Of when and where
we shall meet again Is sad How much
more when terrible mist of uncertain
ty lies on the other side Of the Good
bye" And in calmer moments she did
not deceive herself. She was well aware
of the nature of a German betrothal--
that only the marriage service itself
could be held binding. And know
ing it, there were moments when she
felt it craven on her hearU-that in this
world, ut least, she and Esme Won Lin
denheim would meet no more.
But this was not one Of them. At
this moment past fears and future anX-
iety were alike swallowed up in bliss
full. happy present.
There was always something about
him that Gained her. His gentleness,
his tenderness soothed and Comforted
her; and this seemed magnided tenfold
by the increased dellcncy of his appear
ance. lie himself was not so depressed
and unhappy as he had been when she
had seen him last. The consciousness.
that he was no longer obliged to wait
but was starting tomorrow, had per
haps acted as q stimulant TO his nerves
and in his smiles and conversation Shl
felt the personal charm that had beer
so strong at first. For him IL was tn,
day before the battle, and there wa
something of the thrill Of coming excite
ment. Something, perhaps, in beint
once more In the presence Of the wo
man whose love he iced not doubt o
having won. 1t would DO hard ant
bitter fight, but she was worth it--or 81
it seemed to him rs he watched her II
the big armchair, which was associated
in his memory with old Mr.. Lorraine
She wore the same white dress that shl
had done the night Of his arrival; IT.
folds fell softly and gracefully about
her, and in her hand was the fan OF
peacocks feathers.
"Are you really betterP" she asked
suddenly, after long silence, IN which
she had been watching him. "Tell me
tie truth; you are not quite welP'-A
faint question in the tones-"but you
are much betterp
81 am not quite we'll" he repeated
sitting more upright, "but / am much
better, and shall be better still when
am back in Germany"
eyes" she said, softly. "I hope So"
lie laid his hand on the feather far
on her knee.
"Your hopes and wishes will do mt
good" he said, "never fear" And then
suddenly-"I wish you would get an
other fan" he went on. IL cannot beal
to see you carrying this one about Will
you"
at is pretty" touching 1t caresslngly
"and IL has memories. 1t reminds me
Of many happy evenings. You told me
it was unlucky, you remember, the first
time ] saw you"
"And YOU" he replied, "said. you did
not fear the especial form Of ill-luck II
might bring"
"But do" she cried, passionately
rising to her feet. II am afraid Of it
] am afraid TO run any risks" moving
swiftly away, and placingit on adistant
table. "There," returning to his side
u will never touch 1t again"
"Wbat foolish woman you are!" he
said gently as she stood once more by
his side.
II cannot help It, /" she cried, and when
he looked at her he saw there were tears
in her eyer. II care too much to be
wisel / wish--" she began abruptly,
and then turned away, and stood with
her back to him, leaning against the
mantelsllelf.
what do you wish% he questioned.
"Oh. | wish / had seen her--ihat i
knew her-eyen what she is like"
He did not answer in words, but rose
and left the room, and few minutes
later came up to where she was still
standing by the fire, and placed in her
hands q small case.
She took il over to q distant lamp and
Al.n..r nrAnnnh q A nd Nulinan nhn hnll