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"Mary, can it be possible that you have loved me, when I fancied, of late, that indifference, and even dislike, nestled in your heart? We shall yet be happy! I thank God that we shall be so blest!" And he pressed the thin hand to his lips

"Do not deceive yourself Your confession has come too late I can never be yours, for the hand of death is already laid upon , home to God Now that we understand each other, and while I yet live, let us be as calm, as happy as the circumstances allow It may seeht, but I do not repine, neither ood and o, and ill not erets" Too feeble to speak rew painfully short

Dr Bryant bent forward, and gently lifting her head, supported her with his strong ar hair A long ti his head, he pressed a long kiss on the delicately-chiseled lips

"O God! spareon the wan, yet lovely face, he felt that to yield her up was more than he could bear

At thisher to his side, said, in a deep, tender tone: "She is mine now, sister; thank God, that at last I have won her, and pray with me that she may be spared to us both"

Fervently she pressed his hand, and a tear rolled down and dropped upon it, as she bent down to kiss the sufferer Gently he put her back

"She is wearied, and just fallen asleep; do not wake her"

He carefully depressed his arht rest more easily Mrs Carlton seated herself beside her brother, and whispered: "You will not go to-morrow, Frank?"

"No, no; I will not leave her ahome? I know she is very pale"

"Yes, Frank; she is fearfully changed within the last week"

"Oh, Ellen! if she should be taken fro soer

"We ood," answered his sister, turning away to conceal her tears