Macon beacon., 1896-04-04

/ be lost in returning IL to him, and that
was all. Other letters had passed, but
there had been no phrase of sentiment,
nothing but the well-turned sentences
of graceful writer, such rs he might
have written to the chaperoning aunt.
If Marion had colored them with the
hues of imagination, who then was to
blame? Not he, surely?
Little by little Mabel told her story,
and 1t revealed sad state OF affairs
between herself and the man who had
love with her jealousy, and ran away
from him in fit of pique to hide with
an old nurse. She was a creature of
impulse, and he had not known how to
manage her. And he had gene away
without n word--where, she did not
know, nor did she ask If he had made
any provision for her. Passionate and
rcvengeful. she declared she would die
in the hospital ward, and be buried in
the potter's field, rather than ask help
of him.
Marion lay awake all the night pre-
ceding Easter Sunday trying to COM
fort her OWE disappointed heari, and to
evolve a plan to bring those two to-
gether again. In the morning she went
10 church with distracted mind, but
as soon as the joyous and beautiful
Easter anthems were sung all her
doubts were gone.
81 have loved the creature instead of
the creator she said, and gave her
whole soul TO the service.
"He is risen."
''He is risen, indeed"
The scent of the lilies and the grand
notes of the organ drove out all
thoughts "of sin or folly born" When
the benediction was pronounced she
was filed with a sweet compassion for
all weak ond suffering humanity, and
in that spirit she passed out and met
Philip Neff face to face.
1t was we'll that she had made an
Easter offering Of herself that morning.
She was friendly was no need to
be more. She did not take his out
stretched hand, but she said to him in
composed way:
"Come to mo at two o'clock; have
an engagement for you then"
II will come" he said, and there was
glad look in his eyes that caused her
moments pang, it was SO welcome.
He found her, to his surprise. ready
to go out, but he cheerfully acquiesced
in her wish that she should accompany
him, even when she informed him that
her errand was TO hospital.
The young assistant Of st. Jude's
was there awaiting them. Some flowers
had been brought from the chnncel to
adorn the little table drawn up to the
side of the sick girl. She had rartaken
of the feast of Easter, and wns lying
back on her pillow when Marion led
Philip Neff to her bedside, and waited
for a mutual recognition.
But the young man seemed to feel
himself an intruder at this sacred
scene, and looked distressed, and Mabel
scarcely glanced at him before turning
her head wearily away.
"Do you know her?" asked Marion.
II? No, Miss Armitagc, never saw
her In my life before" answered Philip
Nefi, firmly, and without hesitation.
"Then why does she claim this ringP"
asked Marion, stepping forward and
lifting the thin hand to view.
"rhat is my ring" camc the faint an
swer from tho sick girls lips.
"Who gave ~ TO your asked Marion.
"My husband, Philip Neff."
"Ohi" exclaimed Nen, stepping to fhe
side OF the narrow white bed; "then
you are the wife Of my Cousin Philip
lie Is In South America, and he gaye me
that ring before he left"