Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1900-08-23

saw the vailed figure of lady stan1
ing near.
Sir Oscar never lost his presence n.
mind. He turned to the nurse.
I'VE are come TO see your patient
and TO remain with him for a sbort
time" he said. will you 20 ana
rest?"
Il will go down stairs and get my.
self some tea, sir" she replied, ana
the next moment she had left the room
Then the dying man held out his
hands to Ethel.
Ethel" he said, feebly, you ara
come at last"
He had committed a felony, he had
blighted her life, he had been yilely
selfish, and cruelty mean, but he had
loved her passionately, and he Law
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 faca
that is all the world to me.
She did not remove her hands. Sir
Oscar unfastened the thick vail il
fell with the dark cloak to the ground.
leaving her shining jewels and silkep
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.
I only deserve that you should hate
me, yet you let me hold your hands in
mine"
81 do not hate you" she corrected.
gently.
THANK Heaven for that I 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;
cannot speak clearly. Ethel, listen
was not always bad | began life
with all good intentions, all great
grand, and generous hopes was
young, happy, gallant gay. Oh, for
my lost youth. my lost life!"
He broke out into a low, feeble wall
| ing most pitiable to hear.
my lost life-oh, Ethel. If l might
| but live it over again-if | might bur
| have the time to redeem it, Believe
me, dear, wretched outcast though |
am now, l was young, rich, and happy
once. Once l was worthy of your love;
now I am deserving of your hate
She bent ner beautiful face over AS,
and whispered to him that Heaven was
merciful Her tears fell warm and fast
upon his face.
81 wish" he said family that
could speak with a voice that all the
world might hear-that l might make
my fatal story warning"
Then ne murmured some words
which she could not distinguish.
Ethel" he cried, in a loud, clear
voice Il am standing on the brink Of
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 win cover me
soon. Hank, 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 lie wandered
again;
The wood-the little gate by the
wood, and Ethel his wife, standing
there with the passion-howers 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
TEL me you forgive me-"
lie held her hand tightly; he looked
in her face with an appealing express
ion she never forgot.
"Of all the wrong | have done" be
said, the cruelest was to you Ii 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 I remember when your voice
/ was all music; ana when l saw you
again, my queen, so terribly changed
| / knew what ! had done. Ethel-oh.
If 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, I forgive you" she said
gently; Il forgive you the wrong you
did me- and your cruel deceit. ! for
give you as I pray Heaven 10 pardon
me for MY folly and pride From the
very depth OF my heart ! say. Heaven
have mercy on youl' and then she
stopped, for he was weeping like q
child
Ethel" he begged. when I 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 Tau~ie-Door faulty gFriD-