Year: 1873

for the ghostly rustling of the maple
leaves, as they descended in showers of
crimson light ON the green sYard of
Idlewilde For the noisy buzzing of
the honey-bee, as it fitted from flower
to flower; for all the well-remembered
scenes of home. He could now see
in another and clearer light the events
of the past months. How selfish and
how cowardly seemed his desertion of
what ought to have been to him a sa-
cred charge! But he would return /;
he would once more be the friend and
adviser of his little ward, and net by a
look or word would he recall the past.


Oh the longing for health and
strength sufficient for the journey. But
hope is good physician, and Ralph
slowly gained strength for an early de-
parture.


Did time ever fly fast enough for
anxious lovers? Ralph's impatience
increased tenfold as he neared home,
and when he at last reached the gate
that led into the well remembered
grounds of Idlewilde, it was with a
light heart, and the bouyant step of
youth.


Entering the house unannounced, he
could but be conscious Of the change
that had taken place during his abb
sehce. How quiet and deserted the
grounds seemed. Surely some premO-
milton of what he was to meet caused
his hand to tremble as he essayed to
open the door, and he stopped to stay
the loud beatings of his heart ere he at
last entered the room. What vision
of loveliness he encountered. He
could scarcely believe it was the last
scene of Aimee Atwood's life enacted
almost in the epresence of Azrael-dark
angel of death. How vividly bright
were her lips and cheeks-how bright
her lovely blue eyes. And when, at
the sight of him, she raised herself
from the pillows with an exclamation
of joy, Ralph could but wonder what
had caused this grand TRANSPORTATION.


"Oh, 1 knew you would come, sob
bed Aimee, though they told me it
was forlorn hope. o Ralph have
prayed fervently for this-and now l
have only seen you to say goodbye.


why, Aimee, you must not talk SO ;
you are not going to die. Surely, this
is some horrid dream" And Ralph
pressed his hands over his eyes as if to
exercise the fearful spell.


''Yes, Ralph, l have only few mo-
ments to live; Doctor says sc"


Ralph then for the first time saw his
old friend, DIR. Stanley, standing near
Aimee's dying bed; but he returned
the look of agonizing appeal that met
his in recognition with one of despair,
and Ralph could only gaze into the face
now settling with the peace of death
with perfect agony of horror.


Aimee passed her hand caressingly
over the head bent beside her on the
pillow, and endeavored to soothe the
loud sobbings, as Ralph at last realized
the horrible truth that his repentance
had come too late.


do you remember the words of that
old song, Ralph


I'm wearing AVA, Jean, to the land of the


leal?'
1 have thought of It so often lately
TO the land of the leal.


The voice grew fainter and fainter,
and Ralph, raising the slight, attenu-
ated form in his arms, received the
last look, and caught the last family
uttered words of Aimee Atwood.


"Closer, father! Hold me closer"
And she fell asleep to awaken in his
arms. :,


The grass seems to grow greener and
the rain fall with softer touch on the
little grave at Idlewilde. And Ralph
Latham, sorrow stricken and remorse-
full makes many pilgrimage to this
lovely shrine. But Aimee heeds him
not. She is past all love-rapt in i'm
mortality.