The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1896-10-28
A LOST PARADISE.
BIZ MARK SALE.

u no IOOu Aid0 OCCA NSAy otAAA Ava -
long while; only the even. monotonous
splash of the outgoing tide, and aow
and again restless, unconscious move
nent of the dying woman In the bed,
disturbed the stiffness of the night.
In the big armchair by the bedside,
in the light of the lamp, sat 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 twisted into an uncompromising
knot ut the nape of the neck.
She had watched for many weary
nights now beside that bed, but still her
eyes were wide and watchful, and her
attitude alert. She counted each fut-
tering breath of the girlish form be-
meath the sheet, she noted each CULVER
of the unconscious eyelids.
The night wore on, andwith the COM
ing of the gray dawn, wind arose.
moaning round the little house, and
window.
The dying woman stirred; she
moaned, then slowly opened her eyes.
Great sad blue eyes-like child in
trouble. She fixed them upon the
watcher in the chair with 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.
Sam l dying now?"
The woman bending over her made
no response, but tears gathered in her
hard eyes, her thin lips quivered.
"No, you need not tell me. know I
am. ! can feel it. Hepzibah-you have
been SO good to me. There is some
thing-you must do-for me-when I
am gone"
Hepzibah bent over her, waiting,
watchful.
The dying girl raised one feeble hand,
pointing towards the old bureau in the
corner of the room.
THEREIN the third drawer on the
left-a packet-letters-w you bring
them to me?"
Hepzibah brought over to her lit
tie bundle, tied round with faded pink
ribbon.
The young woman fingered it loving
ly, 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 Wild did not know.
that he cared for me. And-he went
away in temper-and married Tom.
But when Jack came back from sea
last time, II found out how much he
cared. It was terrible and I loved
him so! Then he was drowned-my
poor Jack"
A weak sob choked her broken whis-
pering.
Promise me you will burn them,
Hepzibah, for Toms sake"
Dear, 1 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 elder
woman's face. She turned her head
into the shadow.
II will do what can, Nellie" she re-
sponded, in a smothered voice.
Call Tom now. l feel I am going
soon-going. I feel so cold-so numb"
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
a brave heart. Well have you better
soon." There were tears in his CHEEKY
voice.
Nellie looked 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 violent
ly; her eyes opened in terror.
''The letters! You will burn them,
Hepzibah-"
Tom turned to Hepzibah, wondering
ly. He thought the delirium had re-
turned.
"What letters does she mean?"
Hepzibah was silent; she averted her
eyes. Then
"She means her dead mothers let
ters," she replied, in steady voice.
The dying woman looked her graft
tude for the saving lie. There was
silence again and solemn sense of
waiting in the room. At last Nellie
made faint movement with her hand.
The tide was nearly out. Beyond, the
sun was rising in golden splendor, MAX