The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1897-04-30

several cases OF malignant fever IN the
village and one morning was shocked
III receiving note from my uncle, say
ing Sidney had the symptoms.
hurried to the house, and my uncle
led me directly to the sick room. But as
J approached the bed Sidney cried
"What brings you herep Where is Dr.
Farnell2"
DIR, Farnell does not practice" re-
piled.
HE will come to me! He must! !
will not trust my life in the hands OF
my heir and my rival in Lowell"
started back as if he had struck me
blow. Before heaven, could swear
that my possible heirship had never
crossed my mind, and l had meyer
thought to try to win Leonie. once
knew her love was given elsewhere, J
could not speak, but sent DR., Farnell
to my cousin.
In one short week the village church
bell tolled for Peter Gresham's son
Two hours before the time Sc, for the
funeral / went to my uncle, and.
though he had chung to me in those bit
ter days of mourning, asked for the
first time TO see my cousin.
have often questioned the fatality
that led me to make that request, bu,
can only write here what have often
told my own heart. had to see him.
Already he was in his costly collin.
with flowers about the bed upon which
it rested. entered the room alone, and
stood intently looking down upon the
still. cold face of my rival.
Dead His words came back to me as
! looked at him. was my uncle's heir.
might yet hope in the future to win
Leonie.
Suddenly the blood rushed to my
heart, almost suffocatng me; my hands
grew cold. my legs shook under me, My
eyes, fixed upon Sidney Gresham's face,
grew dim, and | should have fallen had
not grasped the bed for support.
For, with my professional instincts
ever on the alert, | saw that my cousin
was not dead. 1t was case of suspend
ed animation, calling for instant care.
One moment the memory of the dy
ing mans hatred and suspicion tuggcd
at my heart; one moment fierce
temptation seemed tearing me in two,
and then. Heaven be thanked. | was
myself again.
Gently I lifted my cousin from his
CHASTITY resting place, and replaced his
shroud by his night dress. would not
| rie 1,a Oh <f L., 70, !,
seriousness of his surroundings, but
though l staggered under his weight.
took him to my uncle's room. next the
one where he had lain
Then opened a vein in his arm. Slug
gishly. drop by drop the life blood fol-
lowed my lancet. and knew had not
been deceived Alone. unaided, | APP
piled sure remedies, till pulsation re-
turned to the numbed heart. color to the
rallid lips, breath to the paralyzed
lungs.
Then, when the wondering eyes
opened, gave powerful opiate,
watched till it took effect. and, leav-
| ing my patient in profound s1umbar,
went downstairs. found my uncle in
the pathetic apathy grief had made
habitual in those three dreadful days.
and | said. gently:
Uncle. you have doubted my love
and my gratitude in these last few
months. You have thought the man
who owed you every good of his life
for years had counted on your death to
inherit your wealth"
"But I will not doubt you again." he
said, piteously, eff you win come back
to me. | have wronged you. but you
will not desert me now!"
! "You have wronged me-" I answered
land I have come to prove to you mr
love and my gratitude. I have come 20
restore to you"
The aged face was lifted quickly.
while pallor like death, breathess
eagerness. warned me to speak quickly.
Come" said. And led him gen
tly, yet quickly, to the bed where his
son lay, sleeping. | checked the cry
upon his lips by Whispering:
DO not waken him! This sleep is his
very life!"
Not dead!" he whispered. shaking
like one in an ague-"not dead? Std
ney, my son!"
mot dead" l answered, NOR dying.
He will recover, uncle!"
"And you have given him his life.
You. whom he almost accused Of wish
ing to murder him"
He was mistaken" l said, quietly
"Now. will you watch him while send
DR.. NarneIl here?'
"Yes-yes! And you will have
those things taken away?" and he
pointed to the room where the coffin lay
II will do ALL"
Nobody quite understood but The old
doctor. He did. and gave me ore hand,
grasp that seems ever to Enger in my
palm when I think of that day of ex-
element.
Sidney Gresham had the grace to drop
his active animosity towards me--to
LET my uncle keep his affection for me.
and. when he died remember me in his
will. But he never cordially ESed me.
When DR.. Farnel died became
physician at Gresham Place, and my
life of sorrowful loneliness took the
added pang of knowing Leonie's pre-
cious gift of love never met full return.
She has never complained, bearing
patiently the sorrows Of neglected
wife, the hours of loneliness even her
children cannotf fill. when her husband is
seeking pleasure for weeks together in
the city. But she is pale and sad now.
the woman / loved and would have
guarded from sorrow with my hearts
blood.
We have been good friends. and !
think when the incurable enemy have
rarried in secret for years wrings out
my life in little time now, that Leonie
will drop tear upon my dead face.
though no love. no duty, can snatch me
back from the grave to which am
hastening.-N. Y. Ledger.
Little Difference.
ooh, papa, there's hardly any differ
ence between milk and water II
French, is there?"