The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1894-05-25
Wharton. She could not apply Mrs.


But as far as she was capable of judg-
ing, being sSeptic in matters of ever
lasting love, she could say she loved
Wharton-and she undoubtedly did,
according to her narrow light. Yet
she loved herself more, and could have
bade the young man good-by without
the least inconvenience to conscience
or appetite.
The news of the accident to her
fiance, however, was shock more or
less disturbing, and to read that he
could not survive truly panied her.
She was surprised at the feeling, and
she grew very thoughtful and sad as
she recalled all the attentions and
hopes of the stricken man. He seemed
to be nearer to her than ever before.
She heard his outburst of passionate
love as he begged her to consider his
suit. Her place, plainly, was at his
bedside. She did not know how long
he might live, but he should die with
her hand in his. Why should she not
wed him before he died? There were
number of reasons in favor of that
idea. 1t would certainly make his last
hours happier, and, though the world
might regard it as bit of pure ro-
nance. yet it would make little differ
ence to her. 1t would necessitate
period of mourning, but Elise had
reached that age when seclusion for
time from society was not an unmixed
evil She blushed violently as the
thought came to her, and then she
said it would be a proper sacrifice to
make for the man who loved her.
That was the thing-a sacrifice for the
man who loved her. No one could accuse
her of any mercenary ideas, for she
had sufficient money of her own-no
one who knew her would ever believe
in her acting part for loves romance
but to sacrifice herself for the sake
of the man who worshiped her would
seem to be in keeping with her charac-
ter; and though the world of society
might throw loves roselight on the
picture for the sake of the outer world,
those who knew her would understand.
She arrived at this conclusion after due
consideration, and decided to act her
part.
She was cold and white as she went
down to the carriage, accompanied by
her maid. She lay back thinking the
whole idea over as the carriage ratified
over the stones and she alighted at the
hospital as white and rigid as statue.
She had persuaded herself by that time
that she was not acting She was afraid
the end might come before her part
was done.
Ushered up the wide stairs by an at
tendant she was met in the hall by
sweet. uninterrupted nurse.
'You wish to see Mr.. Wharton?" was
asked
YES" answered Elsie, with white
lips. "How-how is he?"
''Very much easier" was the reply.
This is his room; go right in."
The maid took seat on settee in
the hall and the nurse closed the door
half way so that nothing inside the
room could be seen.
The young giant lay on his back. and
over and across the bed were queer
steel frames. AS Elise stepped softly
out from behind the screen that shut
off the draught at the door the great
blue eyes opened, snd then the patient
sweetly smiled
IIA1oCs hC uuEAukCo3 do tAOoSh IL
doubling his sight.
She knelt beside him and took one Of
his great hands in hers, from which she
had removed the gloves.
ut is so awful. Fred" she whispered
81 have been so miserable"
sit is done now," he answered, pain
fully. land there's no help 1t was very
rood in You to come"
"Why, DEAR" she smiled, "did you
doubt my coming?'
"No." he replied, with an effort; "but
l almost hoped you might not-for now
my dream is done"
Dear" was her response, pressing
his hand to her lips
mo one need know of our engage
ment," he continued, land you can
think of me as-as-"
But the world shall know" whis-
pered the girl, bending nearer to him.
''The world shall know of our love-
for we cannot put it away if we would.
Think you that would desert you?
am yours alone. We will have the
chaplain in here and he will make us
one"
bright, and then they filed with tears.
do you know what it means, Elise?"
he faltered. Think of the future"
81 have" she answered, fercely. II
have thought of it well. 1t will be
dark and lonely for me without you,
but one is loved but once"
"Dark-lonely," repeated the young
man, slowly, as in a dream. ''Yes-in.
deed-dark and lonely"
Fred" she cried, softly.
"You don't know what it means, my
love-" said he. turning his gaze full
upon her. 1T is worse than you i'm
agine. The doctor says that l shall
never walk again, but will live for years
to come"
The girl started up and met his search
ing gaze. knowledge and strength
had come to him during those dark
hours of pain.
'For-for years?" she gasped, her
face distorted with an awful sudden
terror, and with sob she fell forward
fainting.
Wharton looked for one moment at
the black head resting on the bed be-
side him, and then with a deep sigh
stretched forth his hand and pressed
the electric button which hung by
string over his head. Somehow he un-
derstood better than he had the day
before. .-Flavel Scott Mines, in Leslie's
Ne wspaper.