The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1900-02-16

| ly nOrrlfled at the changes that had
come to them
Miss Dale could not speak. but wait
ed, in sort of dumb patience that had
| become habitual, for her father to pro-
ceed
ave hadn't been gone month when
his mother died, very suddenly, | h"
lieve and very few weeks after tina,
he lost his wife and only child, and the
servant told me as l entered that the
doctor was very sick, and didn't see
any visitors. l persisted, however
and, when | did enter his chamber, l
found him very glad to see me. He
looks to me as if he were in a decline
may live till spring, though it don't
seem at all likely"
Miss Dale clenched her hands under
the table, and Mr.. Dale poured himself
another glass of wine.
Did he speak of me, father" she
inquired, at last.
"Well, yes, he did" was the deliber.
ate answer; she asked me to say to you
that, if you felt like it, he wished you
would make him New Years call |
halfpromised that you should go-he
| looked so drcadfully low and p:tiful-
but | don't suppose you can leave your
guests"
The only answer Miss Dale made
was to leave the room, and, when the
old gentleman went back to the parlor
his daughter was not in the house and
u card basket hung upon the old bell.
knob.
None but q woman who has loved as
purely, as sincerely, as Miss Dale can
understand her feelings as she is driven
to the of the house man from whom she
has been so long parted. Why had she
remained abroad so long? Why had
not some one written her? She might
have saved him had she known it
earlier, but: now, perhaps, it was to-
late. Did her father not say it was
doubtful if he would live until the next
spring?
She gave her card to the servant,
and ordered the coachman to wait a
few moments No human being
heaven be praised!-can suffer but once
what this noble woman suffered in this
agony of suspense.
"Doctor LEIGH says will you please
to excuse him? He is not able to come
to the parlor, and will you please come
up to his room? First door at the head
of the stars!''
Miss Dale stammcred some words of
thanks-what, she never knew-and
slowly, very slowly. ascended the long
flight of stairs. If there was a gate to
be opened before entering the Celestial
City, Miss Dale wondered if she should
be so timid about asking adm.ttance.
She thought not.
An attendant opened the door to her
nervous rap, and then, with bow in
vited her to enter, and passed down the
stairs.
"Have you come at last, Anna!' said
I'll. Il 'l2own voice, but, oh, how al
tered
Not able to sit up, not able to walk
across the room to meet her! and Miss
Dale's heart went down to low water
mark, but the experience of the past
years had so developed the richness Of
her womanhood that she composed
herself to quiet answer, and drove
back the tears to their source, where
sometimes, when all was over, and no.
body to be disturbed by them they
would have their own revenge!
She removed her bonnet and gloves,
and then seated herself by the sufferer
1t was difficult to keep her lip from
quivering and her hand steady, as she
noted the hollow cheeks and cavernous
eyes-the awful, awful change had
taken place! But she conquered them
all!
II came, my darling" she answered,
with smile, STOPPING and kissing his
pale lips, ''just as soon as | heard. |
have known nothing about you and
your family for three years.
"And ROW.
That was all he could say.
"And now, John Leigh, if you want
me, | have come to stay"
"As my wife,"
''As your wife"
"But, Anna, suppose shall have
to die"
For three months Doctor Leigh had
been positive that this was his last
sickness, now he only "supposed" he
would die. SO much had love instant
ly accomplished.
"You will not die" she said IL am
sure you will get well, now that have
come; but if this were not so, John,
and | was compelled to live sixty or
seventy years longer, and doubtless |
shall''-Miss Dale smiled audibly here,
and the doctor joined her, though at
what it is doubtful if either of them
could have toltl-''I should live out my
days much more happier to feel that
you had called me WIFE, | should be
of more service in the world-much
better DreDareu TO meet Won