Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1896-09-10

IL Hey ClIlSs UklS1 6lUOU ny SuGi DUG Va
her bed -accidentally arranged rs fol
lows: Eudora nearest the head of the
bed, Lady Leaton next, and Malcolm
last III
She nut out her wasted hand, took
the hand of Eudora and held 1t quietly
within her own, while she seemed to
collect her thoughts for utterance.
Then. still holding Eudora's hand, she
raised her dove-like eyes to Malcolm's
face, and whispered
s.Dearest Malcolm! dearest brother
of my heart! you will let the dying
Ispeak out freely, know"
Speak, sweet Agatha. speak your
WILL 'murmured the young man, In q
voice vibrating with emotion.
II was your betrothed bride. NAL
colin; but our betrothal was a human
error, dearest; and the will of Heaven
has interposed to break 1t. am called
hence, Malcolm. to another sphere
Not your bride, but the bride of Heav-
Ell, shall be. But before go hence,
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 I would have you remember
me-"
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 it's 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 Heav-
en- that her own life might not outlast
that of her beloved child. AT length
i Agatha spoke again.
"When I am gone my mother will
be very desolate-a widow and child
less. Promise me this-dearest Eudo-
IA, and dearest Malcolm-that you will
be a son and daughter to my4nother."
In earnest tones and amid suffocat-
ing sobs, they promised all she re-
quired.
A 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 Leaton stopped, and, gather
ing Agatha for 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 a 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 lounging chair that
Eudora, overcome with the fatigue of
many nights vigil, could scarcely keep
her eyes open.
II have been .dreaming-I have slept
upon my watch" said Eudora, regret
fully; and to prevent 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.
AZ this moment Agatha awoke. com
pls;nsd of thirst, and asked for drink.
EuGofl went to side-table, poured
out a glass of tamarind water and
brought it to the invalid.
Agatha drank eagerly, and sank
back her pillows with 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 to the beil-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
mew
The strained eyes of the dying girl
suddenly softened, and turned upon
the speaker beseeching, helpless
look, and then the rigid form suddenly
relaxed, and became dead weight in
the arms of Eudora.
Lady Leaton, followed by several Of
the female servants, now came hurry
ing in.
"What is the matter? Is she worse?"
exclaimed the mother, hurrying to the
bedside.
LADY Leaton. she is dead!" cried
Eudora, in voice of anguish.
Let us draw veil over the grief Of
that mother. In all this world of troll
widowed mother grieving for the
bles, tehre is no sorrow like that Of a
death of her only child.
At first Lady Leaton could not be-
lieye in the extent of her affection.