Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1893-03-23

her to you after my cruel deception, but
she Is dead distant relative left mo
n fortune The only restitution could
make was TO aid your father. | am dy-
ing. The only reward | ask Is that YOU
take my hand and forgive me for II all. "
Raymond Marshall stood like one In
n dream All the past flashed over his
mind This woman had indeed,
wronged him, but still she was not ao-
countable for Edna's death, As he
thought OF all she had done for his
father, as he fanoed no read u noble re-
morse in her words and deeds, gener-
Gus impulse drove him forward
He felt her burning hand twltch in
his own, He did not doubt, after all
the Doctor had said, that she was u dy-
Ing woman.
You did me no wrong except TO tor
turo me with passing belief In the
faithlessness Of the woman | loved, he
said
For love Of YOU" murmurod Be-
atrlce, fervently, Raymond, ! can tell
you now, for shall soon die. | was not
to blame for nay love, and ! had not Ed
mas gentle nature TO endure In silence.
| loved you so horelessly, yet 80
fondly!"
His eyes dlmmed with tears. Love
was surely no sin, even when hopeless.
His great heart stirred with honest
pity.
81 can die in peace, now" she said,
for your eyes tell me that | am for
given. Raymond, good by-good- BY"
Her eyes were raining tears. On,
actress def and subtlel oh, hypocrlte
strong and confident! pitting all the is
sues OF life upon the frail cast OF die.
She turned her face to the wall her
sobs causing the sympathetic Colonel
to vince with honest pity, Raymond
looked concerned, grieved.
Can we do nothing to make her hap
pier9" spoke the Colonel, deeply al
fected. Can | not tell her how CRATE
full l am--how some arrangement must
be made for the repayment of the
money adyanced?"
"She would refuse to consider 1t, re-
better not mention it. "
Speak, Doctor" urged the Colonel,
eagerly. You were about to make
some sugSestlon!'
1T concerns your son. This morning
this poor creature walled her heart-sick-
ness over her love for him. She cannot
survive the night, and yet | think she
would be infinitely happy for that brief
period of time il she knew that you-
Forgive me, gentlemen, my task is too
difficult to complete.
IF she knew what" demanded Ray
mond, softly.
If you would consent to wed her.
Nay, sir, do not start. A dying child's
wish; you need not crafty it, only she
has left all her fortune to you"
IL will never accept it," dissented
Raymond Indignantly.
The law will make you. This poor
girls devotion is pitiable. Give her
your name, render her dying moments
happy. It is not much to do, for before
morning you will be widower"
The plot was out This was the def
design two clever schemers had planned.
The unsuspecting Raymond Marshall
never dreamed Of new deception.
Raymond, do it; it will quiet talk
when her will is read. Poor creaturel
her devotion is indeed pitiabe, spoke
the Colonel.
Raymond Marshall thought OF the
woman dead and of all his love for her;
Of the woman dying and his pity for her
forlorn helplessness.
What does it matter he murmured,
dejectedly. My life is gloom-the fu-
ture aimless. If that small ceremony
can brighten this dying girls moments,
Doctor, will marry her!
The cleyer actress on the couch
thrilled wildly. At last, reward at last,
success! Her hour Of triumph had come.
ITO BE CONTINUED.I