Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1900-08-23

Sir Oscar never lost his presence of
mind. He turned to the nurse.
We are come to see your patient,
and TO remain with him for a short
time" he said. will you go and
rest?"
Il will go down stairs and get my
self some tea. sir" she replied; and
the next moment she had left the room.
Then the dying man held out his
hands to Ethel.
Ethel" he said, feebly, you are
come at last"
He had committed felony, he had
blighted her life, he had been vilely
selfish, and cruelty mean, but he had
loved her paisionately, and he lay
dying. She knelt down by his bedside
and took his hands in hers.
Take away your vail" he said.
that may look my last on the face
that is all the world to me-"
She did not remove her hands Sir
Oscar unfastened the thick vail; it
fell with the dark cloak to the ground,
leaving her shining jewels and silxen
dress uncovered.
The dying man looked at her with
faint, wondering smile
You are come to me in all your
bravery of jewels and dress, my
queen" he said MY beautiful queen,
l only deserve that you should hate
me, yet you let me hold your hands in
mine"
Il do not hate you," she corrected.
gently.
fFThank Heaven for that! l am
dying, Ethel-my short, ungracious
life is nearly ended. My sins and
follies are all over All, my queen,
listen to me for a few moments!
Bend your beautiful face lower-so; l
cannot speak clearly. Ethel, listen.
l was not always bad. l began life
with all good intentions, all great
grand, and generous hopes l was
young, happy, gallant, gay. Oh, for
| my lost youth, my lost life!"
He broke cut into low, feeble wall
ing most pitiable to hear.
my lost life-oh, Ethel, if might
but live it over again-if | might bur
have the time to redeem it! Believe
me, dear, wretched outcast though l
am now, was young, rich, and happy
once. Once l was worthy of your love;
now l am deserving of your hate"
She bent ner beautiful face over A4s,
and whispered to him that Heaven was
merciful. Her tears fell warm and fast
upon his face.
81 WISH" he said family, chat |
could speak with Il voice that all the
world might hear-that might make
my fatal story a warming"
Then ne murmured some words
which she could not distinguish.
Ethel" ne cried, in a loud, clear
voice, Il am standing on the brink of a
deep, dark river; it is rolling swiftly
on. White faces look at me from the
| waters as they pass by, and the river is
rising; the dark waters will cover me
soon. Hark, how the waters rush."
She told him it was only the sound OF
the wind among the trees-the great,
tall trees in the wood. He wandered
| again:
THE wood-the little gate by the
wood, and Ethel, his wife, standing
there with the passion-fiowers in her
hand. Ethel, my wife, standing where
| the changing light from the stained
glass window falls on her, and one
CLEAN is blood-red. Ethel, Ethel, my
fair young wife!"
She laid her hand on his brow, and
whispered gentle words to soothe him.
1T is rushing on, Ethel-the dark,
silent river; it will take me away.
Tell me you forgive me-"
He held her hand tightly; he looked
in her face with an appealing express
ion she never forgot.
"Of all the wrong l have done" he
said, 'the cruelest was to you. 1t was
the most selfish and cruel deed any
man could have done. to cloud that
sweet young life of yours. Ethel,
remember when your face was all sun
shine, and your beautiful lips all
smiles. | remember when your voice
was all music; and when / saw you
again, my queen. so terribly changed
knew what | had done. Ethel-oh,
III the rush of that dark water would
but stop; it browns my voice, and it
browns yours! Ethel. say you forgive
me; utter my name once more-I have
not heard it for years"
Laurie, | forgive you" she said
gently; 81 forgive you the wrong you
did me, and your cruel deceit. | for
give you, as | pray Heaven to pardon
me for my folly and pride. From the
very depth of my heart | say, Heaven
have mercy on you!" and then she
stopped, for he was weeping like a
child.
Ethel" he begged, when l am
dead, remember how | loved you. You
have been the one star of my life. Try
to forget how wicked and worthless
was; only remember my great, deep,
passionate love. Say to yourself:
Poor Laurie-poor, faulty, erring
Laurie-how he loved mel There 1t
long life before you, my queen, and the
grass will soon be growing green over
my grave. Let my love plead for me;
think what | suffered on my wedding
day, when they took me away.
Ethel, grant me one favor. You see
that small box"