The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-06-04

once she said, ere he had ceased rub
bling his eyes. Pray see that this is
taken to her room. 1t is most import
ant that she should have it at once.
She handed him a folded note, which
she had written in the dog cart, and,
after conducting her to the library, he
hurried to arouse the lady's maid. In
less than five minutes the actress was
summoned to Miss Chetwynd's dress
ing-room. A tall figure that stood be-
side the window moved forward, and,
! taking her by the hand, drew her to
the gray light
You are Roger Eyre's wife, mad
am? Until now / was not aware that
he had married.; but l can see from
your eyes that you love him, and
know him too well to believe that he
would have offered you a less honor
able position-even if he had dared
Miss de Lille bowed her head. Il
am his wife" she said quietly. 1T is
twenty years since he married me, but
l knew even then that the greater part
of his love would never be mine. Had
1 not understood this we'll, 1 could not
have come to you now to bid you
come at once, for he is dying"
spinsters heart; she pressed the
actress hand. Il loved Roger when
was a child" she said, but my father
stood between us always. l was the
only child, and I could not leave him
in loneliness He died only a few years
ago. II have never ceased loving
Roger. If it We're not that | had seen
him with my own eyes, and that I
r mn no
told you this. 1t is no time for jeal-
ousy."
She leaned forward and gazed into
the others eye then she fastened away
to prepare for the drive to Milton
When they reached the inn the doctor
was coming through the passage.
There was a gravity in his appearance
as he courteously saluted them that
terrified the married woman: her lips
opened and would not close, although
no words came.
MY friend Mrs. Wilmot wishes to
know the TRUTH" said Mrs. Chetwynd.
"Is he better?"
The old man shock his head. "He
will never be better he replied; still
Just at the moment, he is somewhat
easier. l am going home for break
fast. I shall return in an hour I'm
afraid drawing her aside) that it's
only matter of a day or two"
At the door of the chamber Miss
Chetwynd put her arm around Mrs
Wilmot's neck and they entered to-
gether A low thrilling laugh like that
of a happy boy came from the bed
and the sound blinded the two women
so that they CROPPED their way for
ward.
IT have been happy enough in my
time" murmured Eyre, s.but surely this
is the best moment, when the two wo-
men whom I have loved come together
like sisters,''
His wife kneeled at the bedside, and
taking his hand between her own slip
ped it inside her bodice to her breast
and hid her face in the counterpart.
Miss Chetwynd stopped over him and
smoothed the hair back from his fore
head. Their gaze met cheerfully--the
d.mness had passed from her eyes.
Il thank you for sending for me, she
said, land for sending your wife. There
lis bond betwixt her and me now-we
shall indeed be sisters. And have been
SO lonely for many years. The kneel-
ing woman shook with silent sobbing,
but Eyre's lips were arched in smile.
IT wished you to be her FRIEND he
whispered. ''She is noble of heart
she has fought the world with me for
twenty years. A shadow of pain cross
ed Miss Chetwynd's face. but after
moment left no sign. Fate had given
all to this woman and defied her
"She shall come home with me-" shs
said MY house shall be equally hers;
it shall be my pride to love her!"
The doctor came then, and seeing that
Mrs Wilmot was overwrought at las:
and we'll nigh hysterical, he desired
both. to retire for while. He had
brought his assistant for slight opera
ton must be performed for the dying
mans relief Miss Chetwynd thereupon
persuaded Mrs. Wilmot to lie down on
the sofa while she sat by her side. In
few minutes the younger woman slept
the sleep of utter exhaustion.
Before half an hour had passed the
doctor gently opened the door and mo-
toned to Miss Chetwynd. In the pass
age he told her that the operation had