The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-09-21

l
urc which, although passed irrevocably
into another's keeping, would always
remain the object of her deepest, most
fervent, although forever hopeless love.
| When at last Bertha came into the
house, she found that the happy secret
had been told. ~
They sat together; Mrs. Wilson hold
ing hand of each, Edith's lovely face
pale from emotion, but instinct with q
new life and meaning gazing
upon her with look in his handsome
eyes that Bertha had never seen there
before-the look of man who knows
that his hearts once priceless treasure
! is his indeed. a: .."
| He was the first, however, to note
her entrance, and springing up caught
her hand with boyish impulsiveness.
1T wanted but this to make my hap
piness complete" he exclaimed. Mig
non, little pet, come and welcome your
new sister that is to be. Mother will
have two daughters, now. And surely
no man was so blessed as l with two
such faithful friends!'
AS he urged her forward, Edith rose,
and held out her arms.
In that supreme moment there was
| an instant's hesitation, then Bertha's
loyal soul buried the last atom of jeal-
Gus resentment, and clasped in each
others arms the girls wept together
Edith tears Of joy, Bertha of such bit
ter heartbreak as none might ever
| know.
You are to be our bridemaid Mignon
| we want but One-only our dearest
friends to share with us such happiness
as this exclaimed Ralph, exultantly.
And Edith has promised that the we'd
ding shall be soon.''
Oh, the golden days that followed to
| the lOverS-dayS in which, lifted out of
herself as it were, by the sight Of that
divine happiness, Mignon almost at
times forgot her own utter desolation,
or looked at it and mourned over it,
as though it had been the grief of Il
ing soul.
At last the wedding was but three
weeks off-the wedding to which Bcr
tina had contributed everything that
love and skill could suggest, winning
increased love and fresh encomiums
from those around her.
Never had Edith been more lovely
and winning both in look and manner
never had Ralph been more tenderly
indulgent, bringing back those old hap
py days, until sometimes the burden of
exquisite pain became we'll nigh too
| great to bear.
Then merciful respite came-he was
called to the city for two weeks-and
now at last he was due-would be
home just after nightfall.
Edith, weary with longing for him,
had succumbed to violent headache,
and lain down; but Bertha, filed with
a strange, new unrest, slipped from the
house. There was a short cut to the
railroad, about a mile below the sta
ton, where she had often gone with
Ralph to gather flowers. and from
which the train could be heard Il long
distance away; she would go there first,
listen for the approaching signal, and
then reach the station by that shorter
path, in time to see him alight-to greet
himHah, nO-to walk behind him to
the house-to have him for one brief
period of love and pain, all to herself
unknown even by him-and then, to
close that chapter Of her. life history
forever 30 = "rfTt'' -" - 60
1t was nightfall as she reached the
track, but she felt no fear, although the
spot was lonely-r'lnning here along
the edge Of a rock that plunged down
ward to a ravine below. Reaching the
track she walked little way toward
the station, and then she suddenly
paused, frozen with horror Two rails
had been wrenched from their fasten-
lngs and laid across the track, at the
place where the path was narrowest
and most dangerous. The OncOming
train was the mail-the intent was Onlv
too obvious In a few moments the
whistle would be heard-in q few mo-
ments, perhaps, a thousand souls-no,
to her anguiShed consciousness. Onlv
} one-would be hurled into eternity,
That other danger lurked near she
felt instinctively-but there was no
time for hesitation, now. There was a
faint moon-ller signal might be seen
) it was the only hope left.
; Springing back into clump of bushes
she took off her white sl1irt-found a
long but slender branch to which she
fastened lt-and returned to the track.
The minutes passed that seemed like
an eternity-and then the whistle gave
warming of its approach.
Springing out upon the track. Bertha
waved her signal wildly-frantically
with a prayer on her lips for the life
of the man she loved--with tears fall
q ing like rain down her cheeks
: On came the train laundering down
r Life with him she could not share
e death with him she would, if powerless
t to save him.
e But present1y-oh, no-she knew that
it was stacking stopping; but at the
n same moment, a hoarse imprecation
e full of baff1ed rage, smote upon her ear
0 Course you!-you've blocked the
n gamer then there was n report-so1ne
+ thing pierced her side, and she sunk in
i front of the train she had saved.
One fleeting moment more of con
n seriousness was vouchsafed her-when
a she felt q pair of strong arms about
h her, a rain Of tears on her face, and 9
: voice laden with love and anguish, ex
f claiming:
1T is-oh, God! it is Mignon-our lit
r tie darling! she has given her life fol
/, ns!''
L "Gladly, Ralph!'' she mustered
e strength to answer, CHANGING up into
his face with that love that death could
|