Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-08-27
CHAPTER XXI.

~ one of those terrific thunder storms
70 common in southern cline. For
hany weeks had lain there In state Of
moons iousness, save at intervals whqn
had a dreamy realization OF what was
tansp iring around me. The physician
who was called In Or. Clayton's stead
lad more than once limited Of continued
insanity, citing similar cases when had
ZONE under his observation; but In spite
II his opinion |, that bright August
morning, awoke from a refreshing sleep
NTH perfectly restored faculties. At first
thought | was alone, for there was
leep silence In the room, and from the
hall below distinctly heard the ticking
,f the clock, reminding me OF the time,
years ago. when once before ! had nov
FRED between life and death. Now, as
then. | experienced the delicious feeling
Of returning health, but missed the IA
miliar faces of my friends, and as ]
thought how far was from home and
all who loved me, | said aloud, ~ am
alone, alone
mot alone, Rosa, for | am with you,
answered deep voice near; and the next
moment the dark form of Richard Della
field bent over me.
Eagerly scanning my face, he said, DO
you know meT
Eyes" / answered. "Mr Delaiield.
Then as a dim remembrance of the past
came over me- lifted my head and look
ed round the room for one who ] knew
had not long since been there.
Divining my thought, he said very
gently, as If the announcement would of
course give me pain, "He is not here
Rosa. He was obliged to go home; but
dare say he will soon return; meantime
! will take care of you. Don't feel so
badly" he continued as tears of genuine
Joy at DIR. Clayton's absence gathered
In my eyes,
| could not tell him the truth; and
when / spoke it was to ask him concern
Ing my illness. After telling me all that
he thought proper, he took the letter
from his pocket and said "Dr. Clayton
left this for you. Have you strength to
read it now?
Eyes, yes" l replied, eagerly, at the
same time stretching out my hand to
take 1t.
There was a blur upon my eyes as !
read, and | pitied DR.. Clayton, who had
thus laid bare to me his wretchedness,
but mingled with this was feeling Of re
lief to know that | was free. He told
me what he had written to Mr.. Della
held, and when | came to that portion of
the letter, | Involuntary uttered an ex
clnmatlon Of delight while | glanced tim
Idly toward him. But he made no sign.
The letter which would have explained
all was safely lodged behind the bureau,
and with a gloomy brow he watched me
while l read, Interpreting my emotions
into tho satisfaction he naturally sup
posed | would feel In hearing from my
loysf. With nae the rsvuson was toe
great, for l fancieA | saw in the ex-
preston Of his face contempt for one
who had presumed to love him, and burst
ing into tears, l cried and laughed alter
nately, while he tried to soothe me; but
/ would not be comforted by him--he
hated me, l knew, and very pettishly
told kim at last ito lot me alone and go
away-I was better without him than
with him." said, "and he would oblige
me by leaving the ROOM"
The next moment | repented my harsh
ness, which | knew had caused him pain,
for there was look Of sorrow upon his
face as he complied with my request But
was too proud to call him back, and
toI inc IcAl null uOUT L CTleu anu lTeIIpu
alone, first at him for making DR. Clay
ton think he loved me when he didn't;
secondly, at DIR. Clayton for meddling
with what didn't concern him. end lastly,
at myself, for being so foolish as to care
whether anybody loved me or not. At
the end of that time Richard came back.
The cloud had disappeared, and very
spontaneously he asked IF | had got
over my pet, and if wanted anything"
Before night l was so much better
that Ada, Lima and Halbert came in to
see me, each expressing their pleasure al
my convalescence. But one there was
who came not to greet me, and at whose
absence greatly marveled She had
ever been the first to meet me in the
morning and the last to leave me al
night. Why, then, did she tarry now
when | wished SO much to see her
Alas | did not know that never agair
would her home be gladdened by tn,
sunshine of her presence, for It was Jes
sic whom | missed--Jessie for whom
longed-straining my ear to catch thu
sound of her ringing laugh or boundim,
footsteps.
At last, as the day wore on and sh
did not come, | asked for her and VIII
she stayed so long away. Wringng he
hands, Mrs Lansing exclaimed, tie
her, Richard, / cannot. 1t will kill m,
oh, Jessie, Jessie."
But l had no need for further know
edge. l saw what | had not before oil
served, the mourning garments of thos
round me, and in tears of anguish
cried; my darling is deadw
Eyes, Jessie is dead" answered Ricl
ard. 1--WE shall never see her agai
for she is safe in the happy land
which you so often told her."
could not weep. My sorrow was t.
great for tears, and covering my fac
thought for a long, long time xvi
was it," l asked myself, that alwa.
when death had lowered near me- hs
been spared and another taken" for,
in the case of Jessie, so had 1t been wi
brother Jamie-they had died, while
had lived, and with fervent thank
giving to he:yen, which had dealt III,
percisuliy me, prayed that
might not be in vain.
Gradually, as | could bear 1t, Mr.. d,