The Van Buren press., 1895-08-17

troduced himself and the two walked
slowly away. talking In whispers d
the calamity that had befallen the boy
both loved 90 dearly.
Twice during that week / saw the
tears stealing down the cheeks OF the
cripple as he lay there, 80 still, on his
narrow white bed. Once he spoke to
me Of Dorothy. You must tell her,
old man, he whispered, that release
her uuconditionally."
..She will not hear Of it. ]" ! answered..
And then the day arrivedfor the re.
turn Of the London surgeon. He
bfought two assistants with him Guy,
Dorothy and l were present at their
interview with the lad.
sssLet me understand" said Archie,
In weak tones, but bravely; 'if do
not choose TO submit TO this-this op-
Grafton, it is certain death, is itp"
The great man bowed his head.
"What shall do, Dorothy?' The
tones were very tremulousnow
..Oh, Archie!" she sobbed, sinking on
her knees by the bed, Submit to it for
tmy sake. It will make no difference.
I will care for you as long as l live"
happened to glance at the giant,
Guy, and saw that his bronzed face
had turned almost white.
Well. sighed the patient. softly
stroking the bright head Of the kneel-
ing girl. lit shall be as you say. Shall
we begin, doctor?" =
Not tonight, my boy answered
the surgeon, rather hpskily-the man
evidently possessed some feeling
"you will need all your strength. To.
morrow morning, carly
He did not finish the sentence, and
all but withdrew, Dorothy weeping
silently. sat and watched my young
friend sink into restless Sleep
Unjust have dozed myself, for pres.
emily found the, moon shining softly
through the open window, and with
the silvery beams that lighted up the
wan face on the pillow in a ghastly
way, came the eternal scent of roses.
As leaned forward to make sure
my patient was asleep, heard voices
from the veranda. just beyond the win
dow OF the room, which was on the
ground floor of the cottage. Presently
heard Guy speaking. There was no
mistaking his deep bass tones.
sss..I do not think, dear,'= he was. say
ing, that it is SO very vile in me. No
man could help. loving you, and God
knows would not seek to betray that
poor boy in there by SO much as a
thought. Nor would l wish you to do
SO. tomorrow I will 60 away, for
cannot bear it. But before go you
must tell me there is no harm in that,
Lthink-you love me, do you not?"
l could not hear the responses; only .
low, passionate sobbing. That placid
nature was aroused at last.
Il knew it, dear" went on the deep
voice. II knew it that first night that
you looked into my eyes. And it is be-
cause know that you love me that
should wish you to be as you are
strong and faithful and true. l love
my brother and-I am an honest man.
But when go shall leave all my life
here with you. Dorothy, dear, good
night and-good-by."
Silence. could feel the magnetism
OF the inevitable kiss, just as If I had
seen it. / heard a faint rustic Of
draperies and the tread of vanishing
feet. Then looked at Archie and my
heart stood still.
H;o ax,oS x.vnvo c11oaJ hui <oovs
were trickling through the long lashe.
and the sensitive mouth quivered. HI
had heard every word, had no doubt
and was now trying to feign sleep
obviously for my benefit.
There was a choking in my hear
as rose and left the room. coult
not bear it. l looked in once or twic,
during the night to find the sam,
hing-tear-stained cheeks and shan
sleep. f.s i
When we entered the room in th'
morning he smiled cheerily and ex
tended his hand to the surgeon. doc
tor" he said briskly, ''I've changed m,
mind. You shan't saw my shins off
I'll take chances. I've that right
haven't II"
Certainly, Mr.. Trevor" answere'
the man gravely, ''but warn you tina
it will be fatal"
Nothing that we could say coul,
shake his determination His brothe
Guy, whose great figure seemed to fl
the room, joined his pleadings t.
Dorothy's, but to no avail. When tn
doctor and his men had gone, h
breathed sigh of relief and went fas
asleep with his hand in Dorothy's.
He died very suddenly ten day
afterward. There was glorious sun
set Of crimson and gold, and still tina
eternal scent of tine roses. He ros
suddenly on his pillow and looked ou
over the sea and then sank gentl,
back. Dorothy was by his side in al
instant, but he only touched her cheel
lightly with his lips and then beckonet
to his brother. "Guy-dear old Guy,
he murmured, pulling the grea
shaggy head down upon his ENACT
ated breast-''kiss me, old chap. AM
take care of her. That was the end
And neither of them ever knew
Albany Journal.
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