Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-02-16

by the iady's side, and kissed the Deauu-
al white face and colorless lips
My darling" he cried, this is my
fault. 1 ought not to have asked you e
undertake such a journey. Can Jvu eve,
forgive me?"
You did all for the best, Hubert" she
said.
The doctor and Mrs. Galbraith led the
beautiful, trembling girl to the room
which the latter had hastily prepared for
her, and, when she was installed therein.
the doctor returned to the stranger. who
was pacing, with quick, impatient steps,
mp and down the little parlor.
Il should imagine" said the strange
Gentleman, that no man likes to plead
guilty to a folly. l must do so. Let me
first OF all introduce myself to you as
Lord Charlewood. l am the only son OF
the Earl of Mountdean, and my father
lies dying in Italy. | came Of age only
last year, and at the same time fell In
love. Now l am not in any way dependent
on my father-the title and estate are en-
tailed-but l love him. In these degen-
crate days it seems perhaps strange to
hear a son say that he loves his father.
l have obeyed him all my life from this
motive. ! would give my life for hln.
But in one respect have done that which
will cause him great annoyance and an
ger. ! have married without his knowl-
.dge"
The doctor looked up with great inter
est: perhaps his thoughts reverted to the
grave in the starlight. Lord Charlie
wood moved uneasily in his chair
Il cannot say that l am sorry.' he con-
.inued, 'for | love my wife very dearly:
but ! do wish now that l had been less
hurried, less precipitate. My wife's great
loveliness must be my excuse. She is
the daughter of poor curate, the Rever-
end Charles Trevor, who came two years
ago to supply temporarily the place of the
Rector Of Lynton. He brought his daugh-
ter with him; and the first moment saw
her l fell in love with her. My heart
seemed to go out from me and cleave to
her. loved her with what l can see NJ
wa. fb14so an1oi 49, man All i
the Mission. sa Xas also - - -. Au ~
to my fathe,s who was in Italy. and ASH :
his consent. He refused it in the most
decided manner, and told me to think no
more OF what after all was but Il boys
fancy. After a time she consented to
compromise-to marry me without my
fathers knowledge. Ii was a folly, l
own; now l see clearly its imprudence-
then l imagined 1t the safest and surest
way. We were married eleven months
ago, and l have been so happy since then
that it has seemed to me but single day.
! did not take her home to Wood Lynton,
but, laying aside all the trappngs Of
wealth and title, we have Travelled from
place to place as Mr.. and Mrs. Charlie
wood. enjoying our long honeymoon. But
letter from Italy came like a thunder
oolt-my father had grown rapidly worse
and wanted to see me at once. | could
lot endure that be should die without see
ing, loving and blessing my wife NADIA
line. l told her my desire, and she con-
sented most cheerfully to accompany me.
l ought to have known that-in her state
of Notwithstanding was most injurious
We started on our fatal journey-only
this morning. At first my wife semed to
enjoy it; and then l saw all the color fad
ing from her sweet face. 1t was not un-
til we reached Castledene that she gave in
and told me she corld go no further. Still
you say there is no danger, and that you
do not think she will dieT"
danger? No, / see none. Life and
death lie in the hands of One above US;
but humanity speaking, 1 see no fear Of
danger
Then came a summons for the doctor
from the room above, and Lord Charlie
wood was once more left alone. He was
a young man, and was certainly both a
good and honorable one. He had never
deliberately done anything wicked-on the
contrary, he had tried always to do what
was best; yet, as he stood there, strange
sense of something wanting came over
him. The young wife he loved with such
passionate worship was in the hour of
need, and he could render no assistance.
Later on strange hush had fallen over
the doctors house. 1t was past one in
the morning; the sky was overcast; the
wind was moaning fitfully, as though
storm was brewing in the autumn air. The
dew lay thick and heavy on the ground
Inside the house WAS the strange hush
that dangerous sickness always brings
with it. The doctor had in haste sum
moned the best nurse in Castledene, Ham
nah Furney, who shook her head gravely,
when she saw the beautiful pale face. An
hour passed, and once more DR.. Letsor
IouEht his distinguished guest
Il am sorry not to bring better news
le said. "Lady-Mrs. Charlewood-s ~
SO well as ! had hoped she would be-"
The sudden flash of agony that came
INTO Lord Charlewood's face was a reve-
lation to DIR. LetsOm: he laid his hand
with a gentle touch on the strangers
arm.
do 1t fear the worst" he said "She
is in the hands of Heaven. / am taking
sIly ordinary precautions. l do not say
she is IN Ganger-I merely say that she is
not so well as | should like to see her."
Three o'clock struck. A sweet voice,
abrupt and clear, broke the silence of the
solemn scene.
Hubert? Where is Hubert? 1 must
see him"
A few minutes later Lord Charlewood
stood by the side of his young wife.
Hubert" she said to him. with out
! stretched hands, Hubert. my husband I
am so frightened. They do not tell me
the truth. Am ! going to dief"
He bent down to kiss her.
Die, my darling? No, certainly not,
You are going to live, to be what yos
always have been, the dearest, sweetes'
wife in the whole world"
Then the doctor bade him leave her
he must go down to the shabby, lowly
and the early dawn Of the morning was
coming in. Suddenly he heard sound
that stirred the very depths of his heart
that brought a crimson flush to his face
and tears to his eyes. 1t was the faint
cry of little child. Presently he heard
the footsteps of DR.. Letsom; and the next
minute the doctor was standing before
him, with grave look on his face.
"Yoy hays little dsughteE," hs said