Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-10-25


mares and horrors. He woke up tow
ard o'clock. his features drawn and
his breathing oppressed.
Seeing his mother and Mario near
him, his hand sought their united
| hands
Mamma, Marie. here. both OF you,
kiss me, oh, kiss me, for all Life to
| come"
The mother lifted him and olasped
him to her heart, wiping the perspira,
ton on his brow. the tears in his eyes
Dear child. thou wilt liveP'
! He answered by a slow IN otion OF thu
head which seemed to deny the posi-
bility of living. Noticing the look of
anguish OF his mother, he said: Lay
me down again, dear mother;~ then,
calmer, smiling sadly, he added: ~
want to sleep again / breathe easier.
Go and rest, mother; you viii be sick
4 also"
YES" insisted Marie, "you muSs
rest, mamma. will watch and call
you IL necessary"
Paul fell asleep again and slept over
an hour under the anxious gaze OF
the young girl. At $780, starting sud
denly, he raised his arms, sat up IN
bed as IL searching for support.
Then be fell back exhausted on the
pillows.
Marie. yes." be murmured, "thos art
near mo. I $50 thee. 1 feel thee. ]
feel thy tears falling on my hands.
Dear one. art thou alone? Listen to
| me. viii speak very low, because
It l. sacred. and thou must hear. Lis
| ten. dear one" He spoke softly, and at
his words Marie atihsd cry.
"No, no. Paul. thou wilt not die. Il
Is the fear that makes thee speak &C"
ayes. Marie, must die. Listen
/ we'll. and tell me IL thou wilt comaN~
His voice sank lower and lower.
In the full light OF the lamp. Marie
turned Paler and psler as she listened,
her lips drawn with pain, her left hand
! depressing ths beatngs OF her heart
| It was over. Paul did not speak
again. but looked at her with eyes Of
love and anguish as If expecting an
answer. She nerved herself by an eff
fort of her will. uniting her gaze with
that of her beloved. without trembling.
although it was a terrible promise.
She answered: YES, Paul. I viii come. +"
Their lips met In kiss. silent and deep
as death. Paul died in an hour after.
Marie's grief was so intense, and
brought on such alarming symptoms.
that, fearing for her mind, 10th TO
lose her. her aunt sent her (the day
after the funeraD TO a friends house.
Marie remained FRUSTRATED for sew
erel days by unutterable Sufforings-
Then the calm came: this calm seemed
to those around her more alarming
than her grief. Her eyes. that seemed
attentive TO obscure and far away
things, had taken q singular light.
and so with the smile on her cold lips,
in her pale. inscrutable face Urged
to speak, she said at last: You want
TO know Ny betrothed promised 90
be always near me-one hour before
dying, In possession OF his full senses,
he told me: DO not weep, death will
not part us; we will yet be united. ]
will come for thee In a month. Re
pect me at the very hour Of my death
will come"
They attempted TO reason with her
but her pale smile was her only an
swer. Not TO augment Mrs Duham-
els sorrow. nothing was mentioned 20
her Of Maris's answer. a week passed,
md the young girl seemed ealmsr
Her excitement gave way to quiet msI-
anoholy. She expressed the desirs 60
return to her cunts home, and there
she resumed her usual occupations,
trying oven TO asSuage the grief Of the
poor mothey.
The Esd OF Decembar arrived In the
afternoon Marie complained of NO.
lent headache at cannot come "a
dinner" said the young girl; pray
dear mother. leave me- alone 60 my
thoughts"
"Yes. my child, hope II Is nothing
more serious than o headache
"Do not trouble yourself about ma
must-slsep."
Marie did not come down during the
evening. Her aunt heard her coming
and going for awhile; then nothing
more Perfect silsnca- Mrs Duham.
ell wanted to assure herself that Marie
needed nothing. The door stood wide
open. and the light shone in the hall
Marie had not gone to bed Mrs- Du
hamel advanced few steps, but stood
stupef1ed on the threshold. The lamI
was burning brightly on the mantel
piece, and Marie, who had not heard
her aunt coming. who did not evon fee
she was near. was seated motionlss.
In an armchair. pale as death. her eyes
only living. shining with supernatura
light, fixed on the clock. She had dis
carded her mourning garments and
put on the dress of her betrothal. Paul's
ring was on her finger. The terribl,
silence within seemed intensified bJ
the bowling December winds and tn,
falling rain pattering on the window
panes outside.
Suddenly a violent gust opened th,
window; the lamp went out, and dark
ness reigned supreme. Mrs. Duhamel
terrified, seized with anguish, called
"Marie!'' At that very moment, Il