Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1895-12-12

her attendants, and SEN for Lady Lea
ton, Malcolm, and Eudora to attend
her. They came Immediately. The
chamber was illumined with a soft
moonlight sort of radiance from the
shaded beams Of an alabaster lamp
that stood upon the mantel-shelf OPP
posite the foot Of the bed.
The bed curtains We're drawn away,
revealing the fair face and fragile
form Of the dying girl as she reclined
upon her bed propped up with pillows.
She smiled on her relatives as they
entered, and beckoned them to draw
very near.
They came. and stood by the side OF
her Extraordinarily arranged AS fol-
lows: Eudora nearest the head of the
bed, Lady Leaton next, and Malcolm
last.
She put out her wasted hand, took
the hand Of Eudora and held il quietly
within her own, while she seemed TO
collect her thoughts for utterance.
Then, stil holding Eudora's hand, She
raised her doye-!ike eyes to Malcolm's
face, aud whispered
Dearest Malcolm, dearest brother
Of my heart. you win let the dying
speak out freely, | know"
speak. sweet Agatha, speak your
VIII 'muruured the young man, in u
voice vibrating with emotion.
Il was your betrothed bride, NAL
colin: bat II betrothal was q human
crrcr, dearest; and the will of Heaven
has iutcrp0Sed TO break il. | am called
hence, Malcolm, to another sphere.
Not your bride. hut the bride of Heay-
y~, gF,.l = L., n,-@ h,Fnrn ,vl h,v,nn
Malcolm. | will prove to you how true
is the sisters love | bear you, and the
kindred affection / feel for Eudora. |
will prove these by two legacies by
which / would have you remember
ne"
She paused and drew from her finger
the keeper-ring, which its attenuated
form could scarcely longer hold, and,
placing it firmly upon the round,
plump finger of Eudora. she said
This, dear one. is my legacy TO
you"
Then, taking the same hand, with
the keeper-ring upon its finger, she
placed it in the hand Of Malcolm, say
ing
And this, dearest brother Of my
soul, this is my dying legacy TO you"
She sank back, exhausted upon her
pillow, while low, half-suppreSsed sobs
burst from those around her. And
Malcolm and Eudora each thought
how willingly they would give up their
mutual love, nay, life itself, to have
restored this dying angel to health and
Joy. And Lady Leaton prayed Heay-
IN that her own life might not outlast
that Of her beloved child. At length
Agatha spoke again.
when | am gone my mother will
be very deSOlate-a widow and child
less. Promise me this-deareSt Eudo-
RI, and dearest Malcolm-that yOu will
be Il son and daughter to mylnOther."
In earnest tones and amid suffOCat-
ing sohs, they promised all she re-
CURED.
\ little while longer she held the
hands of Malcolm and Eudora united
and clasped within her own, and then,
releasing them, she said
Goodnight, dearest Malcolm. Go
to rest. beloved mother: Eudora will
watch with me tonight"
Lady E,.saton stopped, and, gather
ing Asn, h for a moment to her
bosom, and with a whispered prayer,
laid her back upon her pillows. Nal
colin bent down and pressed a kiss
upon her brow; and then both with
drew. leaving Eudora upon the watch.
And still holding Eudora's hand, Aga
tina sank into 2 peaceful sleep.
Hours passed. The room was SO
quiet, the sleep of the patient was so
calm and the position of the watcher
so easy within her iouaging chair that
Eudora, overcome with the fatigue of
many nights vigil, could scarcely keep
her eyes open.
Il have been dreaming-I have slept
upon my watch" said Eudora. regret
fully: and to prevent a recurrence of
~drowsiness. she bathed her forehead
and temples with aromatic vinegar.
and saturated her handkerchief with
the same pungent liquid. and resumed
her seat beside the patient.
AT this moment Agatha awOke, COM
planned of thirst, and asked for drink.
Eudora went to a side-table, poured
out a glass of tamarind water and
brought ii to the invalid.
Agatha drank eagerly, and sank
back her pillows with a sigh of salts
faction.
Eudora silently resumed her seat
and her watch; but scarcely five min
utes had passed. when suddenly Aga
tina started up. her eyes strained out
ward, her features livid, and her limbs
convulsed.
Eudora sprang to her in alarm.
Agatha essayed to speak, but the
spasms in her throat prevented utter
ance.
In the extremity Of terror. Eudora
laid her down upon the pillows. and
sprang Il the bell-pull and rang loud
ly for assistance.
Then, hurrying back to her bedside.
she found Agatha livid, rigid, with
locked jaws, laboring lungs and start
ling Eyes
She caught her up in her arms.
rubbed her temples. and rubbed her
hands, exclaiming all the while:
"Oh, my dear, dear Agatha! my
dear. dear, Agatha: what, what is
this? Speak to me! oh, speak to
me.'
The strained eyes Of the dying girl
suddenly softened, and turned upon
the speaker a beseeching, helpless