The times., 1898-10-02

1893 SsesSSSsGz e

cheek on her smooth, white shoulder.
Forgive me, dear she said softly.
1T is only because l am so little worthy
of you that l spoke So How can / help
but be jealous-a woman-and your wife
for twenty years. and so little timS left
to me?"
The soft skin was all wet with his tears;
she put her arm about his waist and drew
him indoors. But you shall have your
hearts DESIRE she murmured to herself,
even if II breaks me into little pieces
Later. as she knet beside her bed, she
prayed that all jealousy might be removed
from her nature. And grief at her hus-
bands Illness weighed so heavily upon her
that she did not fall asleep until day
break. And then, scarcely had her eye
lids closed than a moan of pain wakened
her. and she saw her husband sitting up
in bed with his hands pressed close against
his breast.
ut has come" he whispered. 'I shall
not recover this time. The doctor-said
that if it came so soon l should die
She gathered the pillows together so
that he might lean on them. She could
not speak-she saw nothing, knew moth
ing, but in a few hours longer the man
she loved would no longer be alive. But
in a short while the mute appeal of his
eyes told her that he had something to
ask-something that even in this hour he
scarcely dare voice.
She OWNED instantly "You want her
TO come,' she said; Ito be with you 10
the last" She pulled the bell rope.
with YOU" he stammered. go to
her house and tell her that one whom she
knew in youth is dying here
Il cannot go" she began huskily. II
cannot leave you now; don't send me
away for a minute. Another shall start
at once
He caught her hand and continued as if
| he had heard her speech. And if she
! does not know what you mean-come
! back t. me without another word. / can
not ask you to do many more things for
| for NEEDN'T refuse this"
The actress set her lips firmly. His
word had always been her law;
| sounds of footsteps came fastening along
/ the passage.
I'm go now" she said. hurriedly;
( but promise me-promse me that you'll
! you'H not leave me while I'm away"
He smiled wistfully. Il promise to keep
\ up the fight till you return, dearest one, .
! he said. kiss me, and dress yourself
! Here comes our good landlady; there S
admirable nurse written on her fea-
lures"
She stopped and kissed him; then, as he
/ seemed easier, began TO dress herself
! quickly explaining to the hostess that
/ she wished a conveyance to be got ready
at once. so that she might drive to the
Hallowes. and a doctor to be sent for tC
/ stay with the dying man till her return
The woman had uursed a paTalytic spouse
! for five years, and she expressed no fear
/ al being left alone. In another hour Miss
de Lille was standing beneath the porti-
/ co of the old manor house; il was a con-
! siderable time before the drowsy butler
/ opened the door.
Il wish to see Miss Chetwynd at once, -
she said. ere he had ceased rubbing his
/ eyes. Pray see that this is taken to heI
room. It is most important that she
should have it at once"
She handed him folded note, which
she had written in the dog-cart. and
after conducting her to the library, he
hurried 10 arouse the lady's maid. Ir
less than five minutes the actress was
( summoned to Miss Chetwynds 5 dressing
room. A tall figure that stood beside tn,
window moved forward. and, taking hel
by the hand, drew her TO the gray light
You are Roger Eyre's wife madam
Until now / was not aware that he haC
married; but I can see from your eye.
that you love him, and / know him toe
well 10 believe that he would have of
/ fered you a less honorable pOsition-ever
! if he had dared"
Miss de Lille bowed her head "I an
his wife, she said quietly. ut is twent!
/ years since he married me, but I knew
even then that the greater part of hi!
love would never be mine. Had l no
understood this wei ! could not have
come to you now to bid you come a
once, for he is dying"
wave of sympathy rose from th'
spinsJer's heart; she pressed the actress:
hand. Il loved Roger when 1 was ;
child" she said. but my father stoo(
between US always. 1 was the only child
and l could not leave him in loneliness
He died only a few-year ago. IL hav
never ceased loving Roger. If 1t We're no
that l had seen him with my own eyes
and that I knew he was dying l could no
have told you this. 1t is no time for jeal
ousy."
She leaned forward and gazed into tn
others eyes. then she hastened away I
prepare for the drive TO Milton. Whel
they reached the inn the doctor was com
ing through the passage. There was
I gravity in his appearance as he courte
/ ously saluted them that terrified the mar
ried woman: her lips opened and woul
not close. although no words came.
MY friend Mrs. Wilmot, wishes t
know the truth, said Miss Chetwyno
is he better?"
never be better" he replied; still, jus
at the moment, he is somewhat easier.
am going home for breakfast. I shall re
turn in an hour. I'm afraid" (drawin
. her aside that it's only a matter of
day or two"
At the door of the chamber Miss Chet
wynd put her arm around Mrs Wilmot'
neck and they entered together. A loy
thrilling laugh like that of happy bo
came from the bed, and the sound blinde
the two women so that they groped thei
way forward.
Il have been happy enough in m
time" murmured Eyre. but surely thi
Is the best moment, when the two wome
whom 1 have loved come together lik
sistersr'
) His wife kneeled at the bedside an
r taking his hand between her own slippe
4eit inside her bodice to her breast and hi
her face in the counterpane. Miss Chef
wynd stopped over him and smoothed tn
: hair back from his forehead. Their gaz
met cheerfully-the dimness had passe
T from her eyes.
t Il thank you for sending for me-" sh
: said, land for sending your wife. Their
is a bond betwixt her and me now-w
/. shall indeed be sisters. And l have bee
! so lonely for many years" The kneelin
woman shook with silent sobbing, bu
Erye's lips were arched in smile.
Il wished you to be her friend"
whispered. ''She is noble of heart-sh
, has fought the world with me for twent
, years" A shadow of pain crossed Mis-
Chetwynd's face, but after moment lei
, no sign. Fate had given all to this VIC
man and denied her.
.She shall come home with me- sh
: said My house shall be equally hers
I it shall be my pride to love hert''