The Dickinson press., 1896-12-05
Edith tears Of joy, Bertha OF such bit
ter hcarthrcax as none might ever

Edith tears OF. joy, Bertha OF such bit
ter heartbrcax as none might ever
know.
''You are TO bc our brileuait, Mignon
we want but onc-only our dearest
friends to share with ,ls such happiness
as this" exclaimed Ralph. cXultantly.
And Edith has promised tllat the we'd
ding shall be soon.'
Oh. the golden days that followed to
the lovers-tlays In which. lifted out of
herself as 1t were, by the sight OF that
divine happiness, Mignon almost at
times forgot her own utter desolatiOn,
or looked Mt 1t and mo,lrnetl over 1t.
as though 1t had been the grief OF IL
dear fricnd-nOt her own living. breath.
ing soul.
At last the wedding was but three
weeks Off--tlc wedding to which Rcr.
tina had contributed everything that
love and skill could suggest. winning
increased love and fresh cncomi.ms
from those around her.
Never had Edith been more lovely
and winning both in look and manner
--never had Ralph been more tcnderly
indulgent. bringing back those old hap
py days. until sometimes the burden of
exquisite pain became well nigh too
great to bear.
Then merciful respite came-he was
called to the city for two weeks-and
now ut last he was duc-would be
home just after nightfall.
Edith, weary with longing for him,
had s,lccumbcd to violent headache.
and lain down; but Bertha, filled with
a strange, new unrest, slipped from the
house. There was a short cut to the
railroad. almut Il mile below the sta
tiOn, where she had often gone with
Ralph to gather flowers. and from
which the train could be heard Il long
distance away; she would 80 there first.
listen for the approaching signal, and
then reach the station by that shorter
path, In time to see him alight-tO greet
nah, no-tO walk behind him to
the house-to have him for one brief
period of love and pain. all to herself
unknown even by him-lnu then to
close that chapter of her life listOry7
forever.
1t was nightfall as she reached tho
track, but she felt no fear, although the
spot was lOnely-lunning here along
the edge Of IL rock that plunged down.
ward to IL ravine below. Reaching the
track she walked a little way toward
the station. and then she suddenly
paused. frozen with horror. Two rails
had been wrenchal from their fastcll.
ings and laid across the track. ut the
place where the path was narrOwest
and most dangerous. The oncoming
train was the mail-the intent was only
too obvious. In n few moments the
whistle would be hcard-in few mo-
ments. perhaps, a thousand souls-no,
to her anguished consciousness, only
one-wonld be hurled into eternity.
That other danger lurkcd near she
felt instinctively-but there was no
time for hesitation. now. There was a
faint mOOn-hcr signal might be seen
1T was the only hope left.
Springing back into Il clump Of bushes
she took OF her white skirt-f0umd a
long but slender branch to which she
fastened it-and returned to the track
The minutes passed that seemed like
an eternity-and then the whistle gave
warming of lis approach.
Springing out upon the track. Bertha
waved her signal wildly-flantically-
with Il prayer OH her lips for the life
Of the man she lovcd--with tears fall
ing like rain down her cheeks.
On came the train laundering down
the track-lut Bertha stood imm0vablc.
Life with him she could not share;
death with him she would, If pOwcrless
to save him.
But presently-oh oh, no-she knew that
it was slacking-stopplng; but ut the
same moment, Il boarse inprccation
full of baffled rage, smote upon her ear.
Curse you!-you've blocked the
game" then there was rcport--solne.
thing pierced her side, and she sunk in
front Of the train she had saved.
One fieeting moment more of con.
seriousness was vouchsafed ller--whcn
she felt Il pair of strong arms about
her, Il rain of tears OH her face, and /,
voice laden with love and anguish, ex.
claiming:
1T is-oll, God! it is AIignon-our lit.
tie darling! she has given her life fol
us!'
GLADLY, Ralph"' she mustered
strength to answer. CHANGING up into
his face with that love that death could
not conquer. kiss me once, and tell
them goodbye ut home" And as h;s
lips met hers In that last kiss-:l kiss
into which more of fervor than he was
himself conscious in his hcart-breakine
| grief. was infusel--her head fell back
OH his shoulder, and she was gone.
| Truly fate had dealt kindly with him
1t had given him the love of two
women-one who had given her life
for him, that the other might give hel
life to him and share it with him, while
both should live.
| Every year fresh flowers betleck hel
grave; hut the noble sacrifice that gave
her life to secure to him a happiness
she could never share, is IL flower who's
fragrance In their hearts and grateful
memory will he eternal.