Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1899-01-05

1t told me Ch. let me light your lamp
and then you read it..
But I'd rather hear it at once, Nat
1t must have been something important
to bring you back so soon.
1t said-it's about But even
now she could not trust herself to speak
his name. Her eyes were dilating, her
soft cheeks flushed. "Mrs. Barry" she
impulsively asked, sis it so? Did you
know his sister was very ill-and he'd
been sent for?'
"Not until very lately, Nat
Without ever throwing off her hat
and gloves the girl was again on her
knees and gazing searchingly into the
gentle face on the pillow.
"Who wrote?" she asked.
"He did-to Major Barry. I can't
call him colonel yet. You know he had
written to you before, and your turn by
your own directions only comes
He only wrote when he sent poor
Harry's old silk bag with aunty's pic
ture and-tha5 hateful money. Where
did he write from?''
From her home She is very ILL
"Then he won't be coming here?"
And the blue eyes were glancing plead
ingly one minute, then hiding their
| snowy lids the next.
81 don't see how he can becoming,
Nat
TIE bright color faded from the
| rounded cheeks and left them piteously
white
He has been lovely to you, Nath-
allie, y murmured her friend, caressing
now the restless little hand as it found
its way into hers. eff he should want
you to do something for him-who
risked his life to save yours-who never
rested until he had rescued your good
name, too-would you do it?''
But here the portiere began violent
| and unaccountable undulations Nath-
allies head was bowed and she couldn't
see. Mrs. Barry's eyes were blinded
| and she wouldn't see
What could he ask of mo now-aft-
err faltered the girl
After you refused him?' said Mrs.
Barry, a teasing little smile playing
about her lips. cit ism much-provid-
ed l go too It's to go to see his sis
ter
| Nathalie sprang to her feet 81 don't
believe she began Indignantly
"You never were unkind to me before
Mrs. Barry" The words came in big
sob. The tears came raining from her
! bright blue eyes. Mrs. Barry's arms
were outstretched-her heart was filled
with dismay and compassion in an in
slant.
Nathalie, Nathalie, 1 shouldn't
have teased. l was unkind I never
knew it meant so much. Forgive me,
dear one. There, there, don't cry. Run
| into the parlor. You'll find the letter
there somewhere-or something that'M
tell you all you want to know"
| And as the girl, half sobbing still,
fastened from the room in came May
nard, all dismay.
"The door was locked. I couldn't get
through. had to stay. had to hear
Why, didn't you see the portiere shak-
ing?"
Never mind" smiled Mrs. Barry.
"he's past my comforting. Go quickly
and help her find that letter or that
something
I Nathalie had searched the desk and
mantel. She was fumbling for the but
ton of the electric light as he reached
the arched doorway. The heavy cur
tains fell behind him as the bright, sud
den glare responded to her touch, and
when she turned to renew the hurried
search she saw him, barely arm s length
away-no, it could not have been that
far, for despite her struggles, her furi-
Gus bushes, her futtering heart aud
painting breath the little cry, half
! fright, half joy, with which she greeted
him died Oh her lips-and his.
THE END