Year: 1868

| ana looks almost ueau. j QOHB tDlnk n
has slept one wink since he came hom
that night and found you gone, and he ha
only eat little toast and tea. Here you ar,
with high fever, and SO weak you cal
scarcely hold your head up. Oh, Miss Tai
lula, what does it all mean ~


II don't know know myself, Jeness
There may be some mistake, but know i
has all seemed terribly real to me, and
have been very wretched and sick. But
come now, put my room in nice order
comb my hair, dress me, and help me to
get on the outside of the cover. l must
see Mr.. Chamberlain"


Jeness was perfectly happy at seeing a
real old smile light up the feverish lace.


"There, Jeness, everything lsoks nice ;
open the back door, hook it back, and
bring in Mass Harry"


"Oh, Tallula! what does this mean ~


~ should think, sir, my note explaine ed
fully what it means. But since YOU s.i:
rae for explanations, may not ask u
why you wrote me that note if you had
not really become weary of me ~


"Oh, Tallula, how could such thought
enter your mind even for moment God
be my witness what it cost me to write it..
| thought you were wretehed because you
doubted my sanction of your choice, and
dreaded to speak with me Of the matter
The great love that l bear you could not
look silently upon your suffering when I
thought Lthe power to relieve you rested
with me.p


"Then why, SIR" and happy light
broke over her face even while speaking,
"did you grow SO reserved and cold?'


" 1 suppose it was weak, Tallulah. bat
thought saw was about to lose you.
was wretohed with the thought, yet would
not mar your happiness by having you see
it, and so grew reserved, and + suppose
cold. When l would have approached you
in your unhappiness your entire manner
forbade it, and tdus we mutually misunder-
stood each other. God grant such torture
may never again be felt by either of u.s."


Now, sir,let nae assure you once and for
al! that there is no change in my nature.
Since the dear one has rested beneath the
white marble you have been in her stead to
me, all in the wide world which my heart
has clung to. Were it possible for you to
forget her orphan child, and force me to
leave Chamberlain home forever, there is
not another being on earth could ever be
half so well loved as you would be to the
end of my life. You know, sir, that Tallalah
Bayard knows not untruth; SO never again
feel doubt of her first love and honor
being yours"


Harry dropped upon his knee beside the
couch, and caught the little hand to his
lips in earnest joy.


=" Oh, Tallula, my darling, if you are GER
tain possess your love more than any
other ever can, why not become my wife
Then no more mistakes, no more mischances,
naught but death may part u.s."


Now the feverish face was scarlet. and
the little frame was trembling, as tears
streamed from the closed lids.


There, Tallula, my precious child, il
the thought pains you Sc 1 will never again
speak of it, but just tske you home as my
own dear ward to love forever"


The tone was very gentle as Harry said
this; but great stone seemed rolled back
upon his aching heart, which felt as though
struggling to retain its life.


Mr.. Chamberlain, never for momen
have l thosghto of you in that light, or in
deed of any other man. But | now fee
that if ever wed it must be you, for mont
other can ever be balfso dear to me. If yol
think the orphan can make your life happy
she will be yours, Heaven help me neve
to cause your heart another sorrow"


a0h, Tallula, the world holds not hap
pier soul than 1. May Gsd bless you fol
such joy, my own precious one!"


"He will bless you, sir, for giving rest t.
the orphan in your strong love. Oh, HaI
ry, let us ever worship him and serve him
For however much of joy may be ours
life must end and eternity begin"


And the great soul of Tallula lOoke
pleadingly up from the large, liquid eyes
into the face so dear to her heart.


"pallula, since l have known you an
your angel mother, have become con
Vinced of hereafter, and mans respons
hility, and believing these facts, the soul
future is too important for me to neglec
the fullest investigation Of mans duty. Be
lieve me, dearest, l shall devote prayerfu
attention to it, and my beloved orr vii
pray for me.'


God will guide and bless the prayerGu
search"


"Bless you, my sweet one, for all you
anxious love. But this fever must be battle
away"


Harry bathed the flushed face and OIL
dered warm tea; but there was a great io
at her heart, working far greater wonder
than even gentle nursing could do. Afte
q night of sweet sleep, in which ros
dreams fOated over the happy soul, sh
awoke clear of fever and refreshed, ant
was out upon the guards watching tn
glorious sun rising up over the waters o
the Mississippi, with all its various touehe
of hue and color. Jenessreplied to Harry
inquiries that she was up aad on th
guards.


"How are ven this morning dearest p,