The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-05-27
VOLUME III.
CHAPTER VIII.

Bright, warm. sunny days still fingered
In the Vale OF Cashmere, though summer
had long since given plaS5 TO autumn.
and the rich purple fruit of the wild vine
hung in heavy clusters over the gray
walls Of the>tower and from the palisades
of the broad alley.
On the ground floor Of the castle two
windows were darkened by heavy blue
| curtains. II was a warm afternoon. and
through one of these open windows the
soft, mild air crept In. raising now and
then the silk hangings and admitting a
bright ray OF sunshine. which darted
hither and thither through the darkened
room, and finally nestled with tender
caress among the beautiful golden tres
ses lying across the pillow on the bed
For many long weeks the young mistress
or the castle had struggled between life
and death, since that night OF the LOTUS
fower's death, and II was not till within
the last "a hours that the physicians had
given any hope OF her final recovery
Now, rs the bright sunbeam PLAYED on
her hair and shone for a moment on her
face, she opened her eyes, and the first
intesIisent expression which had been
seen on her countenance all through her
standing at the foot OF the bed. Night
and day had he watched by the bedside
OF his young wife. hardly daring to hope.
In his anxiety and despair, that her life
would be given back TO him, taking no
rest for fear that the end might come
while he slept, and be not be near at
hand to receive her last sigh
Hour after hour had he stood looking
al her flushed cheek and listening to her
dol Iona vf.a.wa
him 10 the heart. with their mournful an
peals to be saved from the dreaded pres
ence OF the Hofmarschall, and murmur-
Ing. In her inconsistencies. OF all she had
suffered from her husbands apparent
coldness and indifference; and at others
causing the warm blood TO leap to his
cheek with Joy, as she muttered. half
aloud, sentences OF love and devotion to
him whose affection she had won by her
own tender. womanly forbearance and
gentle. but unyielding determination to do
what was right
Even ir her widest delIrium the touch
OF his hand and the sound of his voice
had always been able TO soothe and quiet
her. though she was unconscious Of every
one around her.
And now at last she had slept; the raw
ings were stiiled. her eyes were closed.
and her breath was soft and equal: and
from this sleep the doctors had said she
would awake to recover and hve-or to
die.
Hours bad slipped by. Not a sound was
allowed TO enter the darkened chamber:
those who watched IN the deepest anxiety
the Issue OF her calm repose hardly dared |
TO move for fear of disturbing her slum- |
bers; and when the sunbeam came noise- |
lessly playing around her. he who stood |
at the foot OF the bed held his breath in |
painful suspense. while ne waited for the |
result OF this sunny. unsuspected little I
messengers approach from the land of |
hope.
''Raoulr'
The voice was low and weak. but fun Of /
tenderness. In an instant he was by her
side, holding the small, emaciated hand
in hts. and signing to her 10 be quiet and
not 10 talk.
For a moment or two her eyes wandered
from her husbands worn, pale face
around the room. and a faint smile
fiickered at the corners OF her mouth, as
she recognized In the plain lady. with red
hair and deeply freckled face. who was
softly drawing near TO her bedside, her
sister Ulrike.
A few hours after lame was taken I'LL
Raoul had telegraphed TO Rudisdorf and
Ulrike TO come at once TO his
fever-stricken wife. And she came; and Il
was she who comforted and sustained
him I'm the hours OF his darkest despair,
and bid him hope against hope that the
life OF his young wife would be spared;
who ministered with her loving, gentle
hands 20 all the wants OF the invalid. and
from no other hands but hers would LIZ
,ne receive her medicine or swallow her
food during all those trying weeks.
In vain both husband ana sister urged
ier not TO exert her strength By talking
But tell me. how is my child my LeoY-
whispered Lane. with a smile. as they
again entreated her 20 be silent and try
md sleep.
'He IL all right" replied Raoui. "and
las written lots Of loving letters 20
poor mamma, asking when she will be