Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-07-08

giveness and "a little Notwithstanding
him to send for her ''som~ day soon," and
II will try to be such q good wife, and
try SO hard to please you, that l must
succeed in some degree" the poor child
wrote. The pitiful tale of her loneliness
and her friendessness appearing through
the phrases with which she tries to con-
ceal 1.-THE pitiful, childlke yearnings
for him and his protection and companion
ship, and the passionate, womanly avowal
of her love for him--"since the day we
walked through the plantation together,
and you kissed me and said you could not
live without me-" she says in her letter.
But, oh! dear Eric, you have learned to
live without me now, but have not learn
cd to live without you. l could give all the
rest of my life for one happy year with
you. in the old home, as happy as l was
with you for few days--two and half.
Erie. for you turned against me on our
wedding day, you know, and forsook me
forever. though-oh, my life my love! l
swear to you, as | am your most loving
and faithful wife, that my only fault was
that l had promised my brother I would
try to love you when you came, and found
the task all too easy
Muriel never dreams that this letter has
been received by Eric, as Edith had given
her some plausible excuse for it's disap-
pearance the night she wrote it. half
blinded by tears and benumbed with cold,
up in this very room where she hears in
the midnight hours from her husband 3;
lips, as he keeps faithful watch and ward
beside her, the words of her sorrowful let
ter bringing joy into her sad little soul
as the night wears away and the morning
is coming for her.
"Oh, Eric! shall thank her to my dy-
ing day for sending you that letter." Mu-
riel says. clinging to him in passion Of
thankfulness.
He looks down at the fair young crea-
ture, with her clinging arms locked around
his neck. her soft. dark crimson dressing
gown setting off the pearly fairness of her
complexion and her white satin smooth
neck and bosom. her beautiful eyes full Of
liquid light. her sweet virginia. lips up
turned to his. as she asks, in all tender hui
mility, for some shreds of his wasted af.
lection to be bestowed on her, who gives
him herself in the flower of her fresh,
lovely womanhood. and all the treasure of
her hearts devoted love and wifely duty
he looks down at her, as they two sit
| there together on the little old red sofa
by the fire in Muriel's room: and Erie
Llewellyn feels ashamed of himself and
his pride, and his early love and his boasts
of constancy: he feels ashamed and un.
worthy before her.
Il want to thank heaven, Eric, for max
ing me so happy" she says, praying ST.
lently with tears trembling on her dark
lashes. and her words of thanksgiving
quivering on her lips. And the proud man
-humbled and contrite, and grateful
kneels beside her, and weeps as he hears
her thanking heaven for the gift of his
love so tardily bestowed on her.
! 'Muriel, my darling" Eric says, earn
estly. * am neither deserving of heav-
ems mercy nor your love: but pray for me
that may obtain the one and grow wor-
thier of the other"
Il have always prayed for you every
night of my life since first met vou,'
she answers, simply, land now that heav-
en- has answered my prayers. and brought
you back to me, and given me your love, l
must pray more fervently than ever that
we may spend eternity among the blessed,
you and l, Eric, together
And Muriel takes her husbands hand
in hers and prays.
CThe end