Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-09-01
dress. What is it7.

dress. What is it?"
TN it she said she died FIVE wears
ago; she wished to wear IL as a shroud
cannot be quite eertain-a mans
memory for these details is not SO keen
but 1t seems to me that she looked ex-
aetly thus on the night which saw cur
parting"
He stopped. and Eva knew that his
frame was shaken with a suppressed
sob.
Take me away, Frank" she said
helplessly. Il am very cold"
You will be warmer in the sunshine
without" he answered. lifting the sheet
again with trembling hands.
Strange" she added, with the first
touch Of bitterness in her voice, that
you. whom she tried to Kill. should
bury her, and act as her chief mourn
er."
1T is not so strange" he replied: 'it
is merely fate" With sudden move
ment he stopped and kissed the noble
brow. Il have loved her living l
mourn her dead Ii is finished; | have
kept my OATH
The girl c1asped her hands tightly
and stepped out from the dismal place
A moment later he had covered the
body with the sheet and followed her
into the sunshine.
Eva, is there nothing you would
have me tell you now?"
The funeral was over; host of busy
workmen had almost restored the front
of the house to its old appearance. The
announcement of the forthcoming mar
riage of Francis Osborne to Eva Rayne
had closed the mouths or the scandal
mongers; and Mr.. Porcher, with eharg-
in, saw his rival the most popular man
for miles around.
NO there is nothing to tell. The
only thing OF import to me- have
known all these years since the day
you met her till ene day she died.
And what is that"
THAT you loved her always, Know
ing that. why should | seek to know
what caused the separation? ! had
rather think of her, white and almost
saint-like In her shroud. Surely
should be magnanimous now you are
mine at last"
He took her hands and held them
firmly. IF you had sought TO know
4 would have told you all the tale: bat
You have chosen 10 spare me and to
spare her memory. and l. thank you.
But there is one thing left to tell dea>
the cause Of the long delayed that has
held me silent by your side even VIM
fearing most that others might take
you from me. Dear heart, I have not
loved her for many a long day; but
| had taken an oath never to marry
while she lived. | have been punish
ed but for that. / should have claimed
you long ago."
She looked UP at him, radiant with
the triumph of having won from a liv-
ing rival. Just then they rounded
some lilac bushes. and came upon
stopping, boyish figure at work on one
of the beds; 1t was young Blake.
We'll. lad" said Osborne. kindT,
so you are at work again."
tlus," he answered. in his uncon-
ventional style. They lie me: and I'd
a fancy TO do this here bed myself
Look here. miss" be added, in a lower
voice. this here spot is just under
where 1t burst. 1t ploughed 1t up like
and killed the shrubs; but that amt
no accarnt. It's summertime, and very
soon we'll have it just the sine as
though there never hadn't been no
bombs nor nothing cuttin' up the soil
and killing the Towering things"
THE boy is right" Osborne whis-
pered as they passed on together
soon we shall have effaced all scars
from the soil, and the Towering things
will be in glorious bloom.