The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-06-04
if I should have fainted-it was all over

If I should have fainted-it was all over
in a moment"
Beside the rose bushes near the door
they paused to breathe the perfume.
A full moon hoated above; the pap
bling of stream that bounded one end
of the garden was the only alien sound.
A passion of bitterness because of the
nights beauty, commdngled with her
own woe, overcame the actress, and
she drew away from Eyre, and thrust
back her heavy pluned hat go that the
light might fall full on her face.
why did you marry me?" she said.
you never loved me. Tiff only I
had been beautiful
Eyre drew himself erect with an eff
fort and stood courtly and bareheaded.
Il did love you,' he said. II do love
you. You and she are the only women
/ have loved But you would surely
not have thrust her from her shrine
and taken her place. I never wronged
you by offering you that made an
other resting place for you, and, in
truth, my reverence has been equally
divided. You have been true wife, true
friend-since l knew you I have been
happy. And 1 shall be happy for the
tune that s lett TO US
His wife leaned forward and drew his
face beneath her cloak, and pressed his
cheek on her smooth, white shoulder.
Forgive me, DEAR" she said, softly.
ct is only because I am so little
worthy of you that 1 spoke so. How
can 1 help but be jealous-a woman
and your wife for twenty years, and so
little time 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 muir
INJURED to herself, ''even if it breaks me
into little pieces
Later, as she knelt beside her bed,
she prayed that all jealousy might be
removed from her nature. And grief
at her husbands illness weighed so
heavily upon her that she did not fail
asleep until daybfeak. And then,
scarcely had her eyelids closed than a
moan of pain Weakened her, and she saw
her husband sitting up in bed with his
hands pressed close against his breast.
1T has come" he whispered. Il
shall not recover this time. The doc
tor-said that if it came so soon 1
should die"
She gathered the pillows together 50
that he might lean on them. She could
not speak-she saw nothing, knew moth
ing, but that in a few hours 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 replied; "to be with
you at 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"
II cannot 60" she began huskily. L
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 not heard her speech. And if
she does not know what you mean
come back to me without another word.
I cannot ask you to do many more
things for NEEDN'T refuse this
The actress set her lips firmly. His
word had always been her law; she
could not fail in duty at the end. The
sound of footsteps came Fastening
along the passage.
''I'll go now she said, hurriedly;
'but promise me promise me that
you'll-youll not leave me while I'm
away?"
He smiled wistfully. II promise to
keep up the fight till you return, dear
est one he said. Kiss me- and dress
yourself. Here comes our good land
lady; there's admirable nurse written
on her features
She stopped and kissed him; then, as
he seemed easier, began to dress her
self quickly. explaining to the hostess
that she wished conveyance to be
got ready at once SO that she might
drive to The Hallowes and a doctor
to be, sent to stay with the dying man
till her return. The young woman had
nursed paralytic spouse for five years,
and she expressed no fear at being
left alone. In another hour Miss de
Lille was standing beneath the portico
of the old manor house; it was con-
siderable time before the drowsy but
Ter opened the door.
Il wish to see Miss Chetwynd at