Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1897-04-29

| ION TO MS cottage, ne cru<<eu tne fo0d
frequently 70 visit me. Once only he
-poke. Il am sorry Leone loves sgd
ney." he said. after telling me OF theil
engagement, for be Ia . man nevei
liked nor trusted But vonan,s hear,
Is maynard snd must follow It's own
will There v no rcsson--not one-to
set against her love, so must b~ar my
disappointment as best may
Ard knew my kind old friend rnesas
that he had hoped my love would wiz
-. Leonie's heart.
While August was burning up the
vegetation with a long drought. we had
several cases OF malignant fever in the
village. and on. morning was shocked
.; receiving a note from my unrIc. say
ing Sidney had the symptoms.
hurried TO the house. and my urcle
led me directly TO the sick room. Bu, ~
l approached the bed Sidney cried:
"whs, brings you here? Where is DIR.
Farnellg'
"Dr. rsrnell DOES not practice re-
piled.
'fle will come 20 me! He mustl ]
will no; trus, my life in the hands OF
my heir and nv rival in love.-
started back a. IL he had struck me
a blow. Before heaven. could swear
that my possible heirship had never
crossed my mind, and had never
thought to try 10 win Leonie. once
knew her love was given elsewhere ]
could not speak, but I sent Or. farneli
to my cousin.
In one short week the village church
hell tolled for Peter Gresham's son.
Two hours before the time -et for the
funeral went TO my uncle. and
though he had clung 20 me in those bit
ter days Of mourning. | ASKED for the
first time 10 see nv cousin.
have often questioned the fatality
that led me TO make that request. but
can only write here what I have often
told my own heart. 7 had TO sec him.
Already he was in his costly coffin.
with flowers about the bed upon which
it rested. Ieniered the room alone. and
stood intently looking down upon the
still. cold face OF nv rival.
Dead His words came back 20 me as
looked at him. was nv uncIe's heir
I might yet hope in the future to win
Lsonie
Suddenly the blood rushed TO nv
l.esr,. almost suffocating me: my hands
grew cold. my legs shook under me. My
eyes, fixed upon Sidney Greshsm'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
wns not dead. II was n case Of suspend.
I'd animation, calling for instant care
In little unexpectedly before the lid
was fastened over the cold form. II
would be too late to save the faint spa rk
cf life. had only to hold back my
hand, only 90 ignore the one faint sign
before me. and Gresham Place. my un-
clc's wealth-possible Leonie's love.
would all he mine. while no one living
would ever guess I was a murderer.
One moment the memory of the DIV
ing mans hatred and suspicion tngged
at my heart: one moment n fierce
temptation seemed tearing ne in two,
and then. Heaven be thanked, wss
myself again.
Gently l lifted my cousin from his
CHASTITY resting place. and replaced his
shroud by his night dress. Iwould not
risk the shock OF his waking to a con.
SciousDe.s Of his surroundings. but
though I staggered under his weight. I
took him to my uncie's room. next the
one where he had lain.
Then Iopened vein in his arm Slug.
sishly. drop by drop. the life blood fol.
lowed my lancet. and I knew had no,
been deceived. Alone. r,laided, I ap.
piled sure remedies. till pulsation re-
turned To the numbed heart. color to the
pallid lips. breath to the paralyzed
lungs.
Then. when the wondering eve
opened. / gave powerful opia,e
watched till IL took effect, and, lcav.
ing my patient in a profound slumber
went downstairs. I found my uncle in
the pathetic apathy grief had made
habitual in those three dreadful days
and said. gently:
-Uncle. you have doubtsd my love
and my gratitude in these last few
months. You have thought the mar
who owed you every good OF his III,
for years had counted on your death &c
inherit your wealth."
"But l will not doubt you again." h,
said, pitcously. III you will come bach
To me- l have wronged you, but yot
viii not desert me nowl"
| you have wrongcd me-" answered
"and l hive come to prove to you m,
love and my gratitude. have come Il
restore to you"
The aged face was lifted quickly
while a pallor like death. a breathlesi
eagerness. warned me to speak quickly
Come" l said. And led him gen
tly. yet quickly. to the bed where hi
son lay. sleeping. I checked the or,
upon his lips by whispering:
do not waken himi This sleep is hi
very life,"
mot dead" he whispered. shakin;
like one in an ague-"not dead? Sid
ney. my son!"
Not dead" I answered, NOR diving
lie will recover. uncle,"
-And you have given him his life
You. whom he almost accused of wish
ing 70 murder h;m,"
"Iie was mistaken" ! said, quictl,
Vow. will you watch him while sen
DIR. Farnell here?'
"Yes-yes, And you will have
those things taken away?" and h
pointed TO the room where the cof,in lay
Il will do ALL"
l was glad to have employment.
} sent away the funeral guests, careful
! y keeping the life-restoring quiet.
had all funeral preparations removed
! and I-ah. me. told Leonie,
: IL was bitter. and yet sweet. to NEE
her tears of gratitude and deep happ
ness. II was my reward. and yet m
: fsore pain, TO see the despairing gris
leave her dear face, and a quiet rest r,
E place its anguish.
: Nobody quite understood but the oil
: doctor. lie did. and gave me one hanc