The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-09-10
w. ,rs, n,s ewes. ana then the color


rushed back to her face In an over
whelmlng tide Of crimson. She TOOK
the chair he brought her, without a
word, and leaned her head upon her
hand for a few moments.
Presently she looked up. Her eyes
avoided his. But her manner was per-
fectly quiet now, and her race was
calm though pale. =.
I'VE will go on with our business, II
you please" she said, In a voice as
measured as his own had been.
He bowed and drew chair near the
table where she was seated. Spread
ing two formidable looking documents
out on the table before her, he began
explaining their nature and contents
"a ~ he had been some hired lawyer,
and his client only.
She listened in silence.
You fully understand the nature OF
this eed-Mrs.-MadamT he salo'
when he had concluded.
II do"
Are you satisfied with the provision
made for your future?"
His voice faltered little. Her hand.
living on the edge of the documents,
trembled slightly.
Il am perfectly satisfied" she an
swered at last.
"Then you will have the goodness to
sign your name within that blankT
A pretty, fancirui inKstand STOOD on
n marble slab at the further emo Oh the
room.
He rose to bring 1t. Her eyes 1oi-
lowed him-was it a look OF love? IL
So he knew it not.
-. ali n-
ment sheet before her, and pointed 10
the blank.
She took up the pen.
What manner" she said, In low
voice. and a crimson tide surged over
cheek and brow.
"Your-your own, madam" he an
| swered, coloring in his turn.
"Alexia Jernyngham.'
She wrote 1t calmly, in a free flowing
hand. He looked on the while, thlnK-
| ing of other days, when. In their own
| happy home, he had often watched her,
proudly and fondly, as she signed an
| other name.
Throwing down the pen as the last
letter was formed. she rose from her
| seat.
He rose also.
"Good-by, Madam" he said. IN .
| broken voice. And again the DARK
blue eyes were bent upon her down
cast face with that passionate. despair
ing look.
| His breast heaved convulsively once
or twice. She put her white hand SUD
denly up to her throat, as II something
had stopped her breath. Her hand met
the golden chain.
| The next moment the chain was torn
from her neck, revealing beautifully
executed miniature, set closely In q
border of forgetme-nots, formed with
rare skill from clusters OF gems. HIS
quick eye fell upon the portrait-his
own facet And she had worn 1t through
those two lonely years, in spite OF all
The chain flashed brightly in the air
the stones blazed In the sunlight, the
| wedding ring shone like circle OF hre
as she tore 1t hastily from her hand
and dashed 1t. with the picture. at his
feet.
Take them," she cried wildly. Take
them from my sight forever! Oh.
wish l could only tear every thought
OF you as easily from my heart.
And as she spoke something brighter
| than the diamonds--of infinitely great
er value than the gems-fiashed also
in the sunlight and fell upon hel
| cheeks.
| 1t was a tear.
He saw it, and his heart beat high
Yet, even in that moment. pride mus,
come between them.
He stopped for the treasures at his
feet.
"Alexia," he said, gravely, 'if / take
| these, it must be to give them back tC
you again. Shall it be SONY dar'
ling?"
The familiar pet name fell slowly
and hesitatingly from his lips. But
she heard it. She came step nearer
The tears fell faster, and the white
| hand she held out trembled like leaf
! MY husband"
"Oh, my wife! my wife,
| And holding her to his heart, the
strong man laid his head upon her
shoulder and wept like child.
The next day saw their second
bridal. No enemy can ever come be-
| tween them now. They are bound toe
| firmly to each other now ever to be
| separated except by the cruel hand OF
death. And the mystic link that unites
them is-the magic Of a tear.-NeW
York Sun.