The Eddy current., 1898-06-25
II

TT.
Tho Man had not heard from the
Girl for n week or two Then he re-
celved a scnwlod note telling him sho
was NJ. lie felt sorry. and sent her a
pllo Of books and magazines TO read.
Then he dispatched huge box OF can
dy and some roses. and felt that he
had done all that tho situation could
demand Of him.
No letter came from her. Two weeks
rolled by. and he received a few lines
from her mother. telling him that the
uirl was critically 49, -Four days later
o telegram from tho snmc source bade
him come at once. Upon arriving he
found that she had typhoid fever. and
IN her dellrlum called for him con-
aiantly. nnd could not be quioted So
the phyGiclans decided he must be sent
for.
lie was taken into the room whore
she was. She was dellrious and his
name was on her lips frequently. lie
sat down by The bedside and iinR her
hand She looked AZ him IN a dazed
sort Of way, and then o CLEAN OF In
telligencc flttod across her wan face.
as she smiled falnily.
She was taken with n Wild fear that
he would not marry her Perhaps the
subtle seventh sense Of woman. her in
tuition, had told her that bis love for
her had wanedat any rate. she seem
ed possessed of tho idea that she would
lose him. Nothing would calm her.
not even his presence Tho doctors
shook their heads gravely ~ they con-
suited together The crisis had como.
80 last II was over. She slept. but
life hung By n slender thread, She
awakened weak and dazed and again
called FOR the Man and when he came
10 tho bedside she seemed seized with
q dread that he would leave her. Ar
gumeni did no good she became moro
excited. and the fever began to rise.
She wanted him TO marry her upon the
SPOT. Tho physicians consulted again.
~ must be done-she must be quiet
ed" they declared.
The Man forced down great lump
IN his throat He was as white as the
sheets upon tho bed. His senses swan.
He would not let himself thlnk-he
dared not Her parents looked AZ him
inqulringly. and he bowed his head IN
silent acqulescence.
Tho minister came. and every word
Of the short and simple service WIS
burned into the brain OF the Man as
though with white-hot iron. Ho
went through with II as though IN a,
trance. and ~ last he looked into herd
eyes. bright with feverlsh light. Then
he bent over and kissed her gently up
on her forehead, and she fell asleep
holding his hand tightly. and on her
lips there was peaceful smile.
In the der' watches Of the night tho
Mah stole s' dly from the house and
down the lsvn. Under n great oak
tree he fell PROSTATE upon the dnnk
grass and gronned aloud In his misery.
scaldlng. bitter tears. wrung from the
bottom OF his soul, welled into his
oycs M the realization OF his loss
dawned upon him. The stars above
geemed plying eyes TO him-but they
were as the eyes OF the Woman.
Ilo saw the Woman again. soon after
his wife was sufficiently recovered for
him 20 leave her. lie told the Woman
all. And the wondrous shadows IN her
eyes deepened. and the tears wolled 81
lcntiy up and dropped softly upon their
tightly clasped hands. lie told her The
things he had never said TO her--and
she listened. And then she put her
arms about his neck aud whispered
You did right"
God helping me" he said, solemniy,
II will try 10 make her happy and
bear my cross like a man. And she
never shall know"
Tho Woman looked nj him proudly.
aud then kissed him almost reVerentiy
upon the lips Exchange.