The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-06-20

many hours to live-they have told you?
That is why sent for you. Listen. Grant
me one favor. Remember, child, | am a
dying mani!
Anything, 1 murmur. my God!
is this to be the end p
II want to leave you my name, my for
tune 1 willed all to you months ago, but,
as my wife, it will seem more natural, and
the name will protect you. Trust met
is best
Later I have but the dreamiest remem-
berance of what follows. They-some
one has given into his hand a plain gold
ring. Mr. Rainey, our clergyman, is
standing there; my guardian eyes rest on
my face. A smile, ineffably sweet and
tender, lights them for an instant, as he
says, family:
Until death do US partl''
Il really cannot explain it, my dear
Miss-Mrs. Ferroll; it is one of those cases
which we eall-ha, ha?-cheating the doc
tors, says DIR. Abererombie one May
morning, as he stands on the library hearth
at Brierwood
Four weeks have gone by since the af-
ternoon of my strange marriage, during
which time, as constantly as they and the
trained nurses have allowed me, | have
been at my husband side. He has not
repulsed me, yet has seemed to shrink from
my personal services-has been evidently
downhearted, we all can see, since he has
been forced to admit that he is on the high
road to complete recovery
For the first time today he is up and
dressed aud | am now in an adjoining
room waiting his coming, hot and cold by
turns, wondering how we two, so strange
" bound to one another, are to meet, for
the first time, alone
The door is opened by his valet, Brooks
the doctor has withdrawn closes,
and turning, with faint feeling at my
heart and in my limbs, | see my husband.
He smiles, waves aside my offer to lead
him to chair, and takes up his station
Just as he did that memorable day so long
ago, leaning on the mantel and looking at
me with--oh, what depth of mournful
meaning in his glance How the weeks
have told upon him! How thin his face
looks and how dark and bright his eyesl
Sylvia, he says at last, in con-
strained, hard voice, | feel you have, for
the second time, a right to accuse me of
hurting your young life Before God |
never would have dreamed of asking you
to marry me had | believed there was a
chance of my recovery. He turned his
face away. for an instant shading his eyes
with his hand IAN those days have
fought against what seemed your cruel
fate. Now | want to make one thing alb
solutely clear. IT, without scandal, could
set you free legally, God knows | would
do it. But, my child, your life is as much
your own as it was before the ceremony.
The world need not guess our wretched
situation. | pledge myself solemnly to
treat you as | would an honored, beloved
sister.
looked at him dumbly.
My great love has been your undoing,
| know, he goes on, sadly. 'Now it
will be the one purpose of my life to make
yours. even at q distance, happy
Are you going 10 send me away?
half whisper.
He smiles
II win find imperative business to take
me away, for time at least, he answers.
Meanwhile, you shall have whom you
ike here for company and amusement.
But, venture, the blood leaping
into my cheeks, ''you are not well enough
to 20 alone May | not travel with you
so | may take care of you !?
My heart is beating wildly. draw