Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-09-23

pI1oO the girl, casting a hurried glance
at the doctor.
The latter seemed to have been
struck by the name of diversion"
and as he went up the stairs his
brain was sorely puzzled.
diversion = Everston!" he pom
dered, where have l heard that
name before?"
Further reflection was cut short by
the arrival of the physician and his
guide at the room where the dying
to deepen rather than relieve the
black gloom of the apartment, and it
was with difficulty that DR.. Graham
was able to gaze upon the features
of the patient. Then a low, CULVER
ing cry escaped his lips.
Mary" he exclaimed, as his heart
beat like a steam hammer. $50 it is
your"
eyes," replied feeble voice. ''It
is I, Basil Graham, and [ know that
I am going fast. 1 have not sent for
you to tend me as patient, for |
know that 1 am beyond all human
skill"
"Why, then, have you asked me to
Gomez" asked Graham, in low voice.
Because I have something to tell
you before I die-a secret which l
must not carry with me to the
grave
Then, perceiving that the yelled
woman was standing close at hand,
she made a gesture signifying that
she wished her to quit the room. A
moment later they were alone.
There was long pause, and then
the woman raised her head and look
ed him steadfastly in the face.
''Do you remember" she said, hus-
kily, chat seven years ago you and
I were to be married?"
81 remember the fact now" ne
made answer, though until this
night it had been driven from my
brain by other and more recent
events
Every we'll. If your memory serves
you right you will call to mind that
you broke off the engagement be-
cause certain scandalous doings of
mine came to your ears?"
eyes, yes, I remember"
ct was guilty Of those acts and you
did right to break with me" went on
the feeble voice. "but all the same
did not think so at the time. [ hat
ed you for humiliating me, and l
swore that if ever the time came
when I might take vengeance, [
would not spare you
"Go on said the doctor.
"The opportunity came when you
married. heard from friend that
you were devoted to your wife, and
that you were supremely happy.
was living in Wilmington at the time,
and was unable to come to New York
to plot against your peace of mind;
but had in my possession certain
letters of yours addressed to me,
bearing no dates. l put half dozen
of those letters in an envelope, dated
them with dates which would CORE
spond to several months after your
marriage, and sent them with an an
onymous communication ito your wife
"a woman whom 1 had never seen,
but whom I hated for having married
YOU"
"You fiend!" Graham was about to
exclaim, but remembering that she
was trembling on the brink Of death
he depressed the cry that arose to
his lips, and merely said again, go
ONT"
There is little more to tell. The
next news that reached me concern
ing you was that your wife had gone
away, and that your home was desc
late. I rejoiced with all my heart at
the time, but since then I have bit
terly repented my wickedness, for
life has been nothing but misery to
me, and I have been punished, heav-
lily punished
She was growing weaker. The
words left her lips with painful SLOW
ness. 1t did not require the expert
enced eye of the physician to per-
ceive that the end was near.
DO yOu-uO yOu hAOW WhOA ny
wife is?" he asked, when he had mas
tered his emotion sufficiently to find
speech.
mo. How should L? Remember
that I never saw her in my life, and
should not know ner if she stood
before me at this minute
DR.. Graham saw the gray shadows
which proclaim the end Of all things
steal over the white face, and look
ing into those shadows, it seemed to
him that they symbolized the gray
misery that this woman had brought
into his life Was it destined that his
existence must remain thus shadow
ed until life closed for ever and ever?
Even as the thought raced through
his brain, there came culver OF the
lips, and the dying woman raised
her head feebly.
Can you-can you forgive me?"
she asked, huskily.
''T forgive Won " he reDlied simply