Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1904-03-23


need not come back"
The men followed the nurse from the
room and closed the door. When DR..
Hudson opened it a few moments later
Miss Cartwright turned toward him a
face whose wild appeal startled him
into an exclamation.
"Helenv'
Her fingers were on the mans pulse.
''He's alive! he is! But it can't be
long. l know it can't. We must rouse
him. He must be conscious. Quick!
Every moment means so much. You
don't know"
DR.. Hudson was working and she
was helping him, steadily and capably,
even when she was speaking in that
high, tense voice.
At last the mans heavy eyelids flut-
tered feebly, settled again, then quiv-
cred once more, and lifted reluctantly,
while the bloodshot eyes rested on
Miss Cartwright's face, bent close to
his.
"Marvfr" she cried, for the eyes
were closing again. Marvin, look at
me. It's Helen. You remember.
Think! Helen! Helenv' She repeat
ed the name with ringing cadence, as
if it were talisman to call him back
from the dead. And the dull eyes lost
their sightless look; intelligence strug-
gled into them; the dry lips moved; the
words were almost inaudible.
"Yes-yes, it is. Where did you come
from? 1 thought I'd finished it this
time. l meant to. l wanted to see
you, though. That's why I came back.
couldn't find you. I didn't mean
you should see me-"
Miss Cartwrights eyes were burn
ing.
Marvin, listen. You must tell me
the truth, all the truth, quickly, about
the bank-the money. Father killed
himself-shot himself. Did you know
it? Suspicion fell on him and you
were gone. You never knew-he never
said a word. They found him dead.
What should I believe? What could
1 think? My father and my lover! All
| these years-1O years. Marvin-never
to know-and l loved you then"
The color had been creeping into
the mans face He tried to rise on
his elbow, but fell back.
Before God, Helen, 1 never knew.
I've been where no news ever came. l
took the money. I never meant to.
And then had to go. l never thought
any one else-your father-would bear
the blame. I loved you all the time.
l wasn't so bad. God knows, I've
been bad enough since. But I had to
come back. 1 wanted to see you once
just once-and then end it." The
words were coming in gasps, the eyes
closed, then opened again with an ex-
preston Of piteous entreaty.
"Helen, you look like an avenging
angel can't ask you to forgive me,
but did love you. I've loved you-all
the-while."
Over Helen Cartwright's face fash
ed marvellous, tender pity, and the
swift tears dropped upon the forehead,
across which the grayness Of death
was stealing. The mans eyes opened
and looked into hers, then closed
again; short painting breath; shud-
der-and quiet.
Miss Cartwright sank face down
upon the edge Of the bed. She was
so still that Dr.. Hudson, standing by
the window, thought she had tainted.
but he did not move. The warm May
sunshine flooded the room, falling upon
the pure glory Of her hair and upon
the mans CHASTITY, world-worn face.
Sparrows on the edge Of the roof twit-
ted contentedly. The shrill peal Of
a child's laughter foated up from the
street.
Suddenly, she rose, and, going swift
ly to DR.. Hudson, put both her hands
in his, looking at him with luminous
eyes.
He bent his head questioningly, un-
believingly.
Moonlight, my Lady Moonlight, is
it now?"
"Yes;" she scarcely breathed it. but
he heard, ut is now."-Utica Globe.
/