Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1902-11-29

upon her face. She stopped tenderly
beside her. in her great love.
You should not have told her. Mrs
Winthrop" she exclaimed. an indig-
nant flash In her usually steady eyes.
"She did not know-you knew that we
kept il from her-and IL Is severe
shock to her in her weakness. Why
should your son always work her
harm?'
But the sorrow in the gentle face
disarmed her anger. and her voice was
soft like music as she added:
Forgive ne. dear Mrs. Winthrop,
I am SO very sorry for you, But you
do not know-how can you know what
my sister has suffered through him.
'rhee does not know my son." said
Mrs. Winthrop. simply. VIII thee
come 20 him. Mrs. Graham? lie
asked FOR thee or 1 should not have
come Remember that he IS dying"
Alcci1 crushed down the tumult In
her heart. She pushed gently aside
her sisters OBTAINING hands and arse
Was IL 4 wonder that even her hus-
bands enemy should call FOR her when
he lay dying Frances thought bitterly.
watching her as she moved slowly
but resolutely across the room. her
hand in Mrs. Winthrop's very warm
and close.
No words passed between them rs
they crossed the corridors 70 John Win
throp's room. Some subtle magne-
tiSm made known TO each the others
heart. without the need OF speech. At
his doorway they paused for an in
slant. FOR Alicia was still very weak,
TO regain composure. and then quietly
entered the silent room.
The sick mans eyes were closed. but
they opened instantly. resting upon
Alecias face. and smile stirred the
white lips. lie reached ont his hand
falteringly. and she crossed over. tax
Ing IL In hers. her smile answering his
In spite OF her trembling lips and tear
ful violet eyes. His love for her illum-
ined his face. wan and pallid though
it was and broke down all barriers Of
hatred or pride IN the presence OF
death.
My dearest-' he said. faintiy and
slowly. Forgive me. I could not die
without seeing you once more. even
though I know how you scorn me-
She bent pityineiy above him.
There is no scorn IN all my heart"
she said. swcetly. do not think OF
that any more. Mr.. winthrop"
The physicians had moved 20 the
windows out OF hearing. and Mrs.
Winthrop would also have gone away.
but her son reached out his hand.
drawing her down upon the bed upon
the other side.
do not go away" be said. gently.
You know how love Alicia. mother.
Promise me that nothing shall come
between your friendship FOR her"
Thee knows" said Mrs. Winthrop.
softly. how love her. John"
NO one" said Alicia. stu very
sweetly. could help loving your
mother. Mr.. Winthrop. Need I prom
Use more than thatf'
john Winthrop smiled. There was
some strange radiance in his face
lifted % hers.
such frienls4.p." he SAID. slowly.
4 pause between his words. "is the
height OF my desire. Alicia Graham.
living l would never have Told YOU OF
my love. knowing SO well your soon.
bur. dying. may / not say what IL has
been TO me 20 know that even unsEc-
cessfuily have loved such woman
You called me hard and unjust. II I
was SO IL was through mistaken zeal.
and because then YOU had not come
into my life, Alicia Graham. every
tender chord OF my heart was Weakened
and vibrated FOR you. l love you as l
think few men can love.
Doubtless. were Il not that l am
dying. even now Yea would turn from
me with scOrn. as upon that other day
when 1 dared tell you OF my love. /
VIII not. although / am dying attempt
TO exOnerate myself from the charges
OF cruelty made against me by you
and your friends. / can see. perhaps.
clearer now. and recognize that must
have seemed very hard 10 you with
your tender heart. dc not know why
/ should have loved you; l seldom saw
you: but for three years your face has
/ Oeeu il my heart 10 soften my judg-
menC / struggled against it-for
am proud. too. Alecia-but how can
+ one crush out love Ike miner
/ lie paused. exhausted. but would
/ not let 20 the soft hand he held. nor
/ close hls eyes FOR longer than 4 mo-
mcnt lest be lose sight OF her face. a
| Quiyering. beautiful. tender face. IN
I deed. Tor dying eyes 10 rest upon.
She was struggling with her pride
and the memory OF her hate. and had
not answer for few moments. Then
her wOmanhOod and geat.eness over
powered even this strong barrier. and.
/ kEeeling down beside the bed she laid
both hands over his. an exquisite flush
OF color upon her face. her eyes pur-