Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1908-02-06
HIKENSIDE
MRS. MARY J. HOLMES
~ sshns cosa I ' M.nas re '"' N"'
CHAPTER NIX.-(Continued. }

lie was very pale, and the great swea
drops stood on his forehead and unde
his white hair, but Maddy wiped then
away and listened with breaking hear
while the aged disciple almost home tol,
her of the peace the joy, that shon
around his pathway to the tomb, and o
the everlasting arm bearing him so gentl.
over Jordan. Then he talked of herself
blessing her for all she had been to him
telling her how happy she had made his
life since she came home to stay, ane
how for time he had ached SO with fear
lest she should choose to go back and
leave him to stranger. But my darling
stayed with her old grandpa. She'll nev-
er be sorry for it, never I've tried you
sometimes, l know, for old folks amt
like young; but I'm sorry. Maddy. and
you'll forget it when I'm gone, darling
Maddy. precious child" and the trem-
bling hand rested caressingly on her bow
ed head as grandpa went on to speak of
his affairs, his little property which was
hers after the mortgage TO Mr.. Guy was
paid. I've kept up the interest," he
said. but | could never get him to take
any of the principal. | don't know why
how l thanked and blessed him just be-
fore l died; tell him how | used to pray
for him every day that he might choose
the better part. And he within sure
he WILL some day. He hasn't been here
of late, and though my old eyes are dim,
can see that your step has got slow. and
your face whittier by many shades, since he
stayed away. Maddy, child, the dead tell
no secrets, and | shall soon be dead. Tell
me, then, what it is between you two.
Does my girl love Mr.. Guy?
"Oh, grandpa grandpa !" Maddy moan
ed, laying her head beside his own on the
pillow.
1t would be relief to talk with some
one of that terrible pain, which grew
worse every day of that intense longing
just for one sight of the beloved one;
of Guy, still absent from Aikenside, wan
dering nobody knew where; and so Mad
dy told the whole story, while the dying
man listened to her, and smoothing her
silken hair, tried to comfort her.
The worst Is not over yet" he said,
Guy will offer to make you his wife, sac
riticing Lucy for you, and if he does,
what will you do?'
Maddy's heart leaped up into her throat
and for moment prevented her from an
swering, for the thought of Guys really
Offering to make her his wife, to shield
her from evil, to enfold her in his tender
love. made her giddy with joy. But it |
could not be she answered through her |
tears:
T II shall tell him no."
"God bless my Maddy. She will tell |
him no for Lucy's sake. and God will |
bring it right at last the old man whis-
pered, his voice growing very faint and
tremulous. "She will tell him no. he
kept repeating until, rousing up to great |
er consciousness, he spoke of Uncle Jo- |
seph, and asked what Maddy would do |
with him would she send him back to the
asylum, or care for him there? He
will be happier here he said. but it is
asking too much of a young girl like you.
He may live for years
II do not know. grandpa. hope |
may do right | think | shall keep Uncle
Joseph with me-" Maddy replied, a shud
der creeping over her as she thought of
living out all her youth and possibly
middle age with a lunatic.
But her grandfathe whispered bless
ngs brought comfort with them, and a
calm quiet fell upon her as she sat there
listening to the words of prayer, and
catching now and then her own name
and that of Guys.
Il am drowsy, Maddy. Watch while
sleep. Perhaps I'll never wake again." |
grandpa said, and clasping Maddy's hands
lie fell away to sleep, while Maddy kept
ler watch beside him, herself falling
nto troubled sleep, from which she was
Iroused by clammy hand pressing on
Ter forehead. and Uncle Joseph's voice,
which said: Wake, my child. There's
'een a guest here while you slumbered,"
nd he pointed to the rigid features of the
ewly dead.