Middletown transcript., 1904-03-05

| OhO uiN hOe EGG nlOtiy UOiOiC SAO UOhe
away. Molly was unable to leave her
sister even for moment. The only
thing that seemed to soothe Catharine in
the feverish weakness that followed her
long swoon was to have Molly close at
her side, her hand clasped in hers.
Both Stella and Catharine's maid were
anxious to sit up. but Molly would not
let them. And look of something like
content crept over Miss Passingham's
haggard face when they had gone and
she and Molly were alone.
The house had been still for long
time, and Molly had begun to hope that
her patient was asleep, when she sud-
denly spoke, opening her dark eyes and
fixing them on Molly's face.
Molly, l am dying!
Molly sank down on her knees by the
bed.
Oh, no, no, Catharine You must get
well Remember what the doctor said.
He
don't mean that l am dying this
moment, or tomorrow, answered Miss
Passingham. And it gave Molly sense
Of relief to hear her speak with her
wonted impatience. Till yesterday I
thought was getting well. But know
now. Doctor Parkes knows it too. An
other of these heart attacks and shall
60 out like candle. 1t is easy for him
to tell me that may live for years if
She broke of, but spoke again before
Molly could say word. He does not
know.
Molly stroked her check as if she had
been a child.
Dear Catharine, you must try to keep
quite. Try to sleep now. And We will
have no more dinner parties the excite
ment is so bad for you. You shall have
no more Of it.
Miss Passingham gave short sharp
laugh.
Those people were no more to me than
shadows, she said. 1t was your face
only that saw. Did you know that I
was watching you? How sad your eyes
were Poor Molly! You were striving
SO hard to be gay.
waa anxious about you, dear, Molly
faltered. But try to sleep now. Do not
let US talk.
must talk. l have something to tell
you if have strength for it. Molly-it
is many years since l called you Molly,
isn't it? 1t was fathers name for you,
and it hurt my lips to say it. Molly, did
you ever guess how hated you? 1t be-
gan when father used to pet you as
little child and never gave kind word
to me. And when you grew up l hated
you still. I grudged-
Dear Catharine, you love me now-you
understand me now. That is enough.
Catharine's hand frightened on hers.
I have been punished for my wicked
ness, she said hoarsely. When you
know what did you will turn from me
in loathing. But must tell you. I had
made myself believe that you did not
care much. But know now that was
wrong.
She stopped, but when Molly began to
speak she made her a gesture to be
silent. Then she raised herself on her
elbow, breathing quickly, and her words
came hurriedly.
Molly, you remember that night when
Alan Creighton drove US home from
Deepdene West, and the horse fell? All
I told you afterwards was lie. You
never spoke word while We were trying
to bring you round from your faint. You
never betrayed your love for him. It
was not pity which made him write and
propose to you the next day. He loved
you with all his heart. He came to see
you when he got your letter. told you
he came. But it was not to say goodbye
to me. 1t was to see you. told him
that you would not see him. Don't
speak-let me finish !
But she stopped for moment, strug-
Cling for her voice. 1t sank to whisper
as she went on.
1t was easy to make you believe what
wanted. You were always humble. If
you had met But he went away that
day. 1t was all made easy for me. Alter
wards, when his uncle was dead and the
money had come to him, he wrote again
! 20 ri nj 4
the letter back. He had all answer. j
wrote it. He believed that it came from
you.
There was moment OF dead silence in
the room. On the little table by the bed
stood small desk within reach of Miss
Catharine's hand. For days it had stood
there ready to be opened. She dragged
it towards her, drew out a letter, and
thrust it into Molly's hand.
1t is yours, she said. You can answer
it now. He is coming here. Mrs. Har-
vey told me SO tonight. But meant to |
tell you before. have tried to tell you,
but could not.
Molly's soft hand closed tightly on the |
letter, claiming it for her own, but she |
did not look at it. She laid her head on |
the pillow, with her cheek close to her |
sisters.
Poor Catharine she said. But you
must not be unhappy any more.
The hard unhappy woman broke down !
in passion of tears.
Can you forgive me, Molly? she
moaned. Try to forgive me, and it will
be all right now. He is coming here.
He shall know what did.
Molly's cheeks grew scarlet. But her
first thought was to comfort Catharine.
You must not be unhappy any more,
she repeated. You know that forgive
You. Let us never speak Of it again,
dear Catharine. You have learnt TO love
me now. All that miserable time is
over. And you must not-you must