Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1903-05-09

known the whole. how passionately would
he have clasped her to his bosom and
held her there as his own. his darling
Rosa! But 1t was not yet to be. and
he must bide his time.
She had seemed greatly relieved at his
absence, and on the second day after his
departure, she called DIR. Clayton to her
side, fancyng him to be her brother
Charlie. Taking his hand in hers, she
told him the whole story of her trials
how she had tried to bring back the old
affection of her childhood, but could not
because of the love she had for Richard
Delafield.
"Oh, Charlie" she exclaimed, "he
would forgive me, l know, If he knew
how much suffered during those terri.
BILE days, when I thought of giving my
hand without my heart. The very idea
set my brain on fire. and my head has
ached, oh. so hard. since then; but it's
over now, for conquered at last, and on
the night before the wedding resolv I'd
to tell him I could not and would not
marry him. But dark cloud. which
seemed like the rushing of mighty wat
ers. came over me. and l don't Know
where am. nor what has happened, only
he has been here, hanging like shadow
over my pillow, where sat another shad-
ow tenfold blacker. which he said was
Death; but grim and hidcous as 1t was.
preferred 1t to n life with him. when
my whole soul was given to another.
When am dead, Charlie. you must tell
him how 1t was, and ask him to forgive
and think with pity Of poor little Rosa,
who would have loved him If she could.
But not word of this to Mr.. Delaicld.
Charlie: never let him know how ! loved
him. Ny affection IL not returned. and
he would despise me--would never visit
my grave or think with pity of one who
died so far away from home"
Then followed message for the loved
ones of Sunny Bank; but this DIR. Clay.
ton did not hear. Perfectly paralyzcd.
he had listened to her story until his
reason seemed In danger Of leaving him.
and long ere she had finished he knew
he must give her up. but not to death.
Laying his head upon the pillow beside
that Of Rosn. who. wearied with her
story, had fallen asleep. he wept as he
had never wept before. not even when
uG SHW creeping ONeT tut SuSuoN
Of death. Turn which way he would,
there was naught before him save the
darkness of despair: and as wave after
wave broke over him. his mind went
backward to the time when she might
have been his-when he could have gath.
cred her to his boson,--and In piteous &c.
cents he cried aloud. "Afy punishment ID
greater than I can bear"
But M the fjercest storm soonest OK.
ponds its fury, no he ere long grew calm
and capable of sober, serious thought
Rosa Lee was very dear to him, and tc
have possessed her love he would have
given almost everything; but as tina,
could not bc. ought he TO stand In the
woy Of her hnppincss? He knew she
was deceived. for he remembered man,
things no Ind scen In Mr.. De,nncli
which. though he hnd not thought of Il
then. convinced him now that her nifec
tion was rcciprocnted: md should he no
tell her 40. and Mt the same time dis
close TO Richard the true state Of af
fairs? Rosa's quiet, unobtrusive ant
rather reserved manned Ind mislcd Rich
ard. no doubt. or he would long ere thl,
have declared his love.
1ebs uOu utIpIuk VIII Gtkuts
he said aloud. clnsping his hands o,el
his feverish brow. II will watch b,
her until his return. and then committing
her to his cnre. will leave her forever
Never did tender brother watch mort
carefully over a darling sister than did
he over her during the few days which
elapsed ere Mr.. Delaheld's return. II,
was alone with her when he, came, rnt
with comparative calmness he greeted
his rival. who was surprised Mt tn,
change in his looks.
That night. in the solitude Of his cham
Der, the doctor pcnncd two letters, ON
for Rosa and the other for Richard. II
substance, the contents Of each wer
much the same. for he told them all h
had heard from Rosn. and how, though
It broke his heart to do no. he had givel
her up. IDEAL very, very gently witt
her." he wrote to Mr.. Delaheld. 80
never was there purer, gentler being
or one more worthy Of your love thar
she. Then take her, and when your cul
Is overlooking with happiness. thinl
sometimes Of one who henceforth will b,
a lonely. wretched man."
The letters being written, he put then
AWAY until such time as he should NEE
them. Once he thought to talk witt
Richard face TO face; but this he felt h,
could not do; so one morning, about
week after tho return of the family I,
Cedar Grove, and when Rosa was GU
of danger, he pressed burning kiss upol
her forehead, and placing the letters OF
the little dressing bureau where the,
would attract the immediate attention @
Mr.. Delafeld. who. he knew, would sool
be there. he went In quest Of Mrs. Ian
sing, whom he babe good.by ms compos
edly as II no inward FIRE were consumln