The Bessemer indicator., 1894-06-30

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During that time / shall expect you
to make up your mind. day is
Thursday-next Thursday you will
give me your answer"
"very wcll," I returned, but feel
ing quite well what that answer
would be.
Seven days. Seven whole days of
respite and relief from his presence.
Iwent into our shabby sitting-room
feeling almost glad. came to halt
in helpless horror. Elsie lay upon
the worn sofa very ill-that was evil
dent at glance. 1t was diphtheria-
that dread scourge. The landlady
gave me immediate notice to have my
sister removed to hospital where
such diseases were treated. 1 could
only obey her, and the transfer was
made at once. BY offering my SER
vice free, was received at the insti-
tuition to nurse my sister and assist
about the building. My pupils, of
course, were lost to mo forever, and /
took up my place at Elsie's sick bed,
thoroughly crushed in mind and body.
Days passed in this dreary retreat
The seventh day of my rsprieve had
come and gone, but Mr. Van Alstyne
did not trouble me with his presence.
He did not call to inquire after Elsie,
or to ask me to become his wife. But
Arthur Winston was ono of the visit
ing students at the hospital, and /
soon learned to find in him help and
comfort. He remained OF the hos
pital altogether, and gave all
his time and attention to diph-
iberia cases, and especially Elsie's
case. Under his care and skill she
began to improve; and. strange to
say, l did not take the disease.
Elsie looked upon Doctor Winston
as he was called-with reverence, for
she knew his skill had saved her life.
And IL had long ago began to look
upon him with something more than
reverence; for all the love of my heart
was poured forth at his shrine.
knew that he loved me, but we were
both very poor, and marriage seemed
folly for us to contemplate.
One day, while going to the nearest
drug store on an errand for Elsie,
met Mr.. Van Alstyne face to face. He
recoiled-then held out his hand
"She is betterP" he asked 81 could
not risk my own life by coming to
you, Louise, but now that your sister
is better
"Do not trouble yourself to come at
all" interposed haughtily. Your
conduct has proven your selfish base
ness. And, besides, detest you, and
would not marry you were you the
last man in the world.'
He fell back with a muttered impre-
cation. But I waited for nothing
more, and hastened back to the hospi-
tai.
l met Arthur Winston in the hall
outside the ward where Elsie lay.
Something in my face made him start;
then he took my hand and led me into
private room.
Here, dear, sit down and rest
yourself" he said, in that sweet
gentle way which always wins
occurred to annoy you. Tell me, will
you?"
And did. l began at tho begin
ming, and told Arthur my whole story.
His face was very pale when had
finished.
My love of loves" he cried. "Oh,
Louise, have loved you SO long and
dearly. l have loved you ever since
the time-how long ago it seems
when we used to meet on the street.
That Van Alstyne is wicked man.
There is some Interior reason, some
hidden object in his asking you to
marry him-I am convinced of it,
A golden hour followed, and when
we parted 1 had promised to be
Arthur's wife-poverty and all-in n
days time. Elsie was nearly we'll
all danger over; no reason for delay
And besides, l was afraid of Mr.. Van
Alstyne-secretly afraid.
But after all, he could not harm me-
became Arthur Winston's wife, and
then soon after discovered the secret
of Mr.. Van Alstynes affection for me.
Elsie and proved to be heirs at-law
to an immense estate belonging to
my mothers father, and no one in the
city but Mr.. Van Alstyne, who was a
shrewd, scheming lawyer, knew any
thing about it. And so 1 won the love
of my life. and Providence has blessed
us with wealth also. Is that not a
satisfactory ending to my story?