Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-09-28

ro-k. nrerared the fuel, and lighted II
WITH match. When the famo began 70
flicker on the rustic hearth, CT IA tTetn~
bled with 10y and held out both hands 10
the blaze. Ill
"Heavensl how nice it ISL she salo,
"and then this is amusing; one would say
we had been sbipwrectoi. Now, ME-
Leland, if you would be perfect, 60 ana
see what the doctor says" -,
He ran TO the cottage, and quickly
returned.
WE'LL" she exclaimed.
"A great deal Of hope.
OH how glad l am!
She pressed his hand.
sit down there, she said.
He sat down on rock nelr her, anu
replied to her eager questions. Ho re-
peated in detail his onversation with the
Doctor She listened at first with inter
est, but little by little, wrapping her head
in her veil, and resting 1T on the pougn
interlaced behind her, she seemed to be
uncomfoltably resting from fatigue.
you are likely to IL asleep there. he
said laughing.
went 10 sleep.
Her sleep rcsembled deata, it was SO
nrofound. and so calm was the beating
of her heart SO regular her breathing.
Leland knelt down again by the hearth,
to listen breathlessly and to gaze III on
her. :.
From time to time lie seemed to medi-
tate. and the solitude was only disturbed
by the rustling of the leaves
His eyes followed The fickering OF the
fame, sometimes resting on the white
rock sometimes on the woods, sometimes
on the arches Of the high trees. as though
he W she'd to fix in his memory oil me
details of this sweet scene. Then his
p,ze would rest on the young woman
clothed in her beauty, grace and contdln2
repOse.
/ What heavenly thoughts descended at
| that moment on this somber soul-wnat
Hesitation, what doubt assa.led it? What
images Of peace, truth, virtue, and hap.
! piness y ssed into tn brain full OF
storm, and chased away phantoms OF the
sophistres he cherished? lie himself
/ knew, but never told.
The brisk cracking Of the wood aw X
cned her. Size opened her eyes IN sur"
prise. and as she saw the young man
! kne eeling before her, addresse ed HIM:
How are they now, Mr. Lelandf
He dill no: know how to tell her that
for the last hour ne had but one thought,
and that was Of her
The doctor appeared suddenly before
them.
They are saved, Mrs, Denton, he
said abIupt V: come and see for yo9r-
self. and then return homo, or we shall
have TO cure YOU Tomorrow. You are
very imprudent TO have remained IN these
lc II foolish of Mr.
Leland to let you DO 50.
She took the doctors arm and re-enter-
ed the cottage. The two children, row
reused from The dangerous torpor, bui
who seemed stll terriued by the threat
encd death. raised their little he ds She
made them sign to keep quiet, anC
leaning over their pillow, kissed them.
10 morrow, my dOrlings," she sa d
Bat the mother, half llughing, half cry
ing, followed Clala step by sep, speak
ing 10 her and kissing her hand.
"Let her alone" cried the doctor, quer'
ulously. Go lone, Mrs Denton MI
Lellnd, take hes there.
She was 90 'ng ont, when the old rag
picker, who had not before spoken an'
who was sitting in lhe corner Of the room
as if stupefcd, rose suddenly, seized th'
arm OF Mrs. Denton, who, slightly terri
fed, TUNED round, for the gesture of The
man was SO violent as 10 sCem menaclng
his eyes, hard and dry. wero fixed upon
her, and be continued 10 squeeze he
arm with a contracted hand.
MY friend, she said, although ratho
uncei tain.
"Yes. your friend" muttered tie Ole
rag picker, with hollow voice; yes re
memberl Whatever comes, your friend!
Ho could not continue; his mouti
worked as if in q conyulslon, his fri. ut
ful weeping shook his frame; he thel
threw himself on lis knees, and they say
a shower of tears torco themselye
Take her away, $ T." said the doctor
Leland gently pushed her out OF tn
cottage and followed her She took, III
arm and descended the rugged path whicl
led to her homo