Year: 1873

move. The door opened, ana nellie euIeleu'
bringing my little namesake. She said


"Mattie, here is the baby; won't you speak
to her?'


could make no answer I felt the dear
little hands stroke my pale sunken cheek,
and heard Nellie tell her to kiss me, which she
did A: but it was all in vain-I could not no.
tice her. AS Nellie took Matte in her arms
she burst into tears, and then l knew she
thought would never be we'll again.


"Can you think of nothing, Doctor? asked
Nellie.


"No; we can only wait and see what the
end will be-"


1t was such pleasant dream! thought
that Owen and myself were together once
more. Even the remembrance Of the long
and weary years we had been separated had
vanished the freshness of youth was ours, with
no thought of care and trouble in the future.
I remember thinking must be dying; for
had heard, in such moments, the past became
almost reality, and them heard voices.


"Has he Gomez" asked the doctor.


"Yes," answered Nellie; "he is waiting
down stairs to hear if he may see her."


"It can do no harm, and it may benefit her.
Ask him to come up but you must prepare
him for the change in her, and above all things,
charge him to control himself"


Nellie left the room, and wheSthe returned,
heard a mans footstep following her. They
both came to my side, and then heard
deep sigh. Not a word was spoken for sever,
al moments. At length Nellie said


"Mattie, darling, I have brought an old
friend to see you. Will you speak to him"


"Please don't weary me" I said feebly
sdo let me die quietly"


1T is to save your life dear, that we ask
you to do this. Try and rouse yourself; only
look and see who it is that has come"


opened my eyes wearily, and saw-Owen
Morris standing near me! My face must have
expressed some of the happiness I felt, and
his lighted up, as he bent over and kissed me-
saying


"My darling! My darling!"


"1 put my hand in his, and said
"Please leave us alone; I have so much to
say to him before I Co."


The doctor drew Nellie away, and as they
left the room I heard him say


"Thank God She will be better now"


And we were together again! All how
happy it made me to know that l could tell
him all the love that was in my heart; and
when felt the shadow of death closing
around me, that his dear presence would
brighten the dark and gloomy way. For
thought 1 should pass away from his arms to
that eternal rest which has been promised to
those that love God. But it was not to be.


do not know how long we remained there
alone. 1t was nearly twilight when Nellie
came in, and she found me sleeping quietly
She motioned Owen to give her his place be-
side me; but he would not consent to that.
So together they waited for that awakening
which was to bring either life or death to me.


II am glad I am so much better" were the
first words I uttered. ut would be hard for
me to leave you all now.'


(which is great compliment to III" said
Nellie, smiling, "as you expressed no regrets
until after Owens arrival"


81 appreciate the compliment said Owen
"but, Nellie, know you will agree with me,
that the life I have been the means, through
Gods mercy. of saving, ought to be mine in
the future"


"Yes, we will all agree to that


And so it was settled the engagement be-
tween Owen Morris and myself was recognized
by the family from that time. My recovery
was long and tedious, but was very pleasant.
had so many to love and care for me, that l
was in fair way Of being petted too much
I do not think it hurt me, though.


On inquiring after Mr.. Walker, 1 found
that the doctor pronounced his case hopeless,
and ever since he had heard this, he had been
asking every day to see me. For a long time
they would not tell me of this, thinking it
might excite me; but as soon as heard of it,
insisted upon granting the poor mans re-
quest.


shall never forget his appearance, as l en-
tered his room. His pale face was rendered
still more ghastly by the white bandage
around his head, and his eyes glistened with
an unnatural brightness, fearful to see.


One of the most pitiful sights to me, is the
incessant motion of the hands of those who
are near death, when I reflect that in few
short hours they will be still forever; yet
striving, apparently, to grasp something which
always seems just beyond their reach. Itap-
peared to me that the sick man WAS motion
ing away some spectre of his past life, which
was haunting him, even to his grave. But l
must tell of our interview.


TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK.


SARD1NEs.-There are few delicacies so
we'll known and so highly esteemed as the
sardine, and how very few know from whence
they come. The delicious flavor of the fish
when the tin is first opened, and the sweetness
of the oil (always supposing good brand),
print their charms upon the memory. The
fishery is carried on generally from July to
November, all along the west coast OF France.
Two of the largest stations are at Douarennez
and Concarneau. Fleets of boats 60 out some
few miles and spread out their nets, by the
side of which some codroe is thrown to attract
the fish. The nets are weighted on one end,
and have corks attached to the other, so that
thou ossnma a vertical nnsitinn two nets being