Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-10-09

tnaG new and strange gift OF fore
sight comes to the dying; 1t has
come to me, and see trouble for you.
my darling, from his hand
Il must bear it, mother, Patiently, as
you have done" said Lady Hilda.
Death was drawing near; his awful
shadow cast an ashen pallor on the
face Of Magdalen Hurst, and dimmed
the light of her eyes.
"Hilda, darling" she whispered, eff
there should come to you, as there has
come to me, a wonder Wv | should
have SUFFERED, so young, so innocent,
so unconscious of all wrong, promise
me to remember that all those things
that puzzle us here will re set right in
another world. l shall soon know
why my life has been so sad and
sorrowful."
AS the shadow fell more deeply and
darkly, the golden head Of the young
girl lay near where her mothers hand
could touch the loved face. Lady
Hilda was not frightened; she had
seen death once before, and knew its
power. All fear, all thought, was lost
in the one great knowledge that she
was with her own mother at last.
Hour after hour passed, and the sha-
dow deepened: thelc was no more
words, for Magdalen HuIst's strength
had failed her. Until sight and hear
ing were closed for this world, her
eyes were fixed upon the face Of her
child, and she listened to every word
that fell from those pure young lips.
But when the grim presence stood by
her, she made one great effort.
IF ever you see him, Hilda," she
murmured, tell him forgaye him.
and loved him and blessed him as
died
And then the aching, wearied heart
was at rest. Death left strange beauty
on the white face; the closed lips wore
smile as of one who had found
peace. Warm tears fell from Lady
Hilda's eyes as she crossed the white
hands over the quiet breast, and
lsmootbed the long veil of golden hair
from the white brow
Goodbye, mother" she said, press
ing her warm lips on the cold, dead
faceS goodbye. You we're lost to me
in life, and found in death. You will
sleep well until l join you"
Mrs. Paine came up when she heard
the sick woman had ceased to suffer.
81 am glad she sent for me-" said
Lady Hilda, in a cold, calm voice, that
startled her as she spoke; "she nursed
me years ago, and I am her only
friend"
Mrs. Paine saw nothing peculiar in
that, but she wondered why Lady
Hilda shuddered when strange hands
began to touch the lifeless form.
Let some one come and stay with
YOU" she said. Il Will arrange all the
Payments Let the funeral take place
on Tuesday, and let her be buried in
the churchyard at Oulston. You can
attend to it, l suppose?"
Mrs Paine was eloquent in her pro-
testations.
She has lodged with me for many
months" she said, -but do not know
her name. What shall / say when !
ask for the papers?"
A crimson flush covered Lady
Hilda's face. Was she, her beautiful,
deeply wronged mother, to !ay IN
nameless graye?.,o it could not be
a plain stone might mark her grave,
but those papers should bear nc false
name, let come what might.
Her name was Magdalen Hurst, !"
she replied, with quiyering lips.
Lady Hilda knew it would not be
possible for her to return to the cot
tage if her vow and the secret were to
b kept She bent once more over the
quiet dead face, and kissed the smil-
ing cold lips. She looked her last at
the mother she had known only in her
dreams and in death; then she went
out, leaving the dead alone. In the
same cold, fearless voice she gave her
final orders to Mrs. Paine
Let the funeral take place at two
o'clock on Tuesday afternoon" she
said. Il will see yea again when it is
all over"
To b. continued.