Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-11-28
HEPZIBAH'S LOST PARADISE.
Mark Sale, in Chapman's Magazine OF
Fiction

| and again a restless, unconscious
movement of the dying woman in the
bed, disturbed the awe some stiffness
of the night.
In the big armchair by the bedside.
in the light of the lamp, sat a gaunt
woman, angular and haggard, with
thin, compressed lips, yellow skin,
light eyes, and dead-straw-colored hair
drawn tightly back from her forehead
and twistc- into an uncompromising
knob at the nape of the neck
She had watched for many weary
nights now beside that bed, but still
her eyes were wide and watchfu1, and
her attitude alert. She counted each
fiuttering breath of the sirlish form
beneath the sheet, she noted each
culver Of the unconscious eyelids.
The night wore on, and, with the
coming of the gray dawn, a wind
arose, moaning round the little house.
and shaking the fastenings of the sick
room window.
The dying woman stirred: she
moaned, then slowly opened her eyes.
trouble. She fixed them upon the
watcher in the chair with a pathetic
look of entreaty.
'Hepzibah!' The pale lips just
formed the whispered word.
The gaunt woman rose hastily and
bent over her.
"Hepzibah-you have been very
good to me"
A painful pause, breathing was so
difficult
Am dying, now?"
The woman bending over her made
Nc response, but tears gathered in her
hard eyes, her thin lips quivered.
mo, you need not tell me. I know
[ am. [ can feel it. Hepzibah-you
have been SO good to me. There is
something that-you -do-for-
me-when | am gone"
Hepzibah bent over her waiting,
watchful.
The dying girl raised one feeble
hand, pointing toward the old bureau
in the corner Of the room.
THEREIN the third drawer on the
left-a packet-Ietters- you bring
them to me?"
Hepzibah brought over to her a lit
tie bundle, tied round with faded pink
ribbon.
The dying woman fingered it low
ingly, wistfully.
They are Jacks letters-my Jack.
Hepzibah! When [ am gone, I trust
you to burn them for me, Tom must
never know. Poor Tonne has been
a good husband to me; but [ loved
Jack first-only he was so Wild did
not know that he cared for me. And
he went away in a temper-and [
married Tom. But when Jack came
back from sea, last time, II found
out how much he cared. 1t was term
ble-and 1 loved him so! Then he
was drowned-my poor Jack"
A weak sob choked her broken
whispering.
Promise you will burn them, Hep
zibah, for Toms sake"
Dear, [ promise"
you have been so good to me, so
patient with me. When I am gone
you will be good to poor Tom
A dull red flush overspread the
womans face. She turned her head
into the shadow.
L will do what 1 can, Nelly" she
responded, in a smothered voice.
Call Tom now. I feel I am soon
going. [ feel so cold-so numbr'
Hepzibah hastily left the room. She
was back in an instant, followed by
stout, ruddy-faced man of about So
He stepped softly to the bed, and took
the dying woman's hand in his big
grasp.
Come, Nell, my lass, you must bear
brave heart. Well have you better
soon" There were tears in his CHEEKY
voice.
Nelly looked up at him with a faint
smile; she raised the big red hand in
which her own was imprisoned, to her
lips. Then, exhausted by her recent
efforts, she closed her eyes and seemed
to sleep. Presently she started VIC
lently; her eyes opened in terror.
''The letters You will burn them,
Hepzibah-
Tom turned to Hepzibah wonder
ingly. He thought the delirium had
returned.
what letters does she mean?" he
asked
Hepzibah was silent; she averted
her eyes. Then
''She means he dead mothers let
ters," she replied in steady voice.
The dying woman looked her graft
tude for the saving lie. There was 81
lence again, and a solemn sense Of
waiting in the room. At last Nelly
made a faint movement with her hand.
Hepzibah comprehended instantly;
she stepped to the window. drew aside
the curtain and opened wide the sash.
So Nelly looked for the last time upon
her little world.
The tide was nearly out. Beyond
the sun was rising in golden splendor
making a glittering pathway across
the waves, wind had softened into a
warm breeze; it came waited in, ming
ling with the salt of the sea-with the
scent of the flowers in the little gar
den below.
.Nelly's big, sad eyes took in all the
beauty of the morning, then they gen
tly closed.
81 am coming, Jack-dear-" she
sighed.
Co NoII1- TJ,uroood Tom Tburoood's