Ednas Sacrifice and Other Stories | Page 3

her--in a word, to take care of her, or, I should say, to care for her only. And this afternoon, of all others, I do not feel like having Lilly with us.'
"That afternoon was one of the happiest of my life. Although not a word of love passed his lips. I knew it filled his heart, and was for me. He told me of his home, his relatives, his past life. Of his mother he said:
"'When you know her, you will love her dearly.'
"He seemed to be sure that I should know her. And then--ah, well, I thought so too, then.
"Lilly was waiting for us when we returned. He chided her for being out so late. It was quite dark. Tears filled her eyes as she raised them to his and said:
"'Don't be angry. I could not help watching. Oh, why did you stay so long? I thought you would never come back. I was afraid something had happened--that the horse had run away, or--'
"'Angry I could not be with you, little one. But I don't want you to get sick again. Come, now, smile away your tears and fears! Your friend is safe and with you again,' the doctor answered.
"Taking her hand, he led her into the parlor.
"He had not understood the cause of her tears. Only for him she watched and wept.
"'Do stay,' she plead, when her doctor was going.
"He told her he could not, then; there was another call he must make, but would return after a while.
"She counted the minutes, until she should see him again. Never concealing from any of us how dearly she loved him. She was truly as guileless as a child of six years.
"From the first of her acquaintance with him, she had declared 'her doctor' was like her father. Mother, too, admitted the resemblance was very decided.
"This it was, I think, that first made him so dear to her.
"Several times, after the doctor returned that evening, I saw he sought opportunity to speak to me, unheard by others. But Lilly was always near.
"Ah! it was better so. Better that from his own lips I heard not those words he would have spoken. Doubly hard would have been the trial. Oh, that night when he said, 'good-by!' He slipped in my hand a little roll of paper. As Lilly still stood at the window, watching as long as she could see him, I stole away to open the paper. Then, for a while, I forgot Lilly, aye, forgot everything, in my great happiness. He loved me! On my finger sparkled the beautiful diamond--my engagement ring--to be worn on the morrow, 'if I could return his love,' he said.
"Quickly I hid my treasures away, his note, and the ring--Lilly was coming.
"She was not yet strong, and soon tired. I helped her to get off her clothes, and as she kissed me good-night, she said:
"'I wish we had a picture of him--don't you?'
"'Who, dear?' I asked.
"'My doctor! Who else? You tease. You knew well enough,' she answered, as she nestled her pretty head closer to mine.
"Soon she was sleeping and dreaming of him. Sweet dreams at first I knew they were; for soft smiles flitted over her face.
"I could not sleep. A great fear stole in upon my happiness. Did not Lilly love him too? How would she receive the news which soon must reach her? Was her love such as mine? Such as is given to but one alone? Or only as a brother did she love him? I must know how it was. Heaven grant that joy for one would not bring sorrow to the other, I prayed. I had not long to wait. Her dreams became troubled. Her lips quivered and trembled, and then with a cry of agony she started up.
"'Gone, gone, gone!' she sobbed.
"It was many minutes ere I succeeded in calming and making her understand 'twas but a dream.
"'Oh! but so real, so dreadfully real. I thought he did not care for me. That he had gone and left me, and they told me he was married!'
"Telling this, she began to sob again.
"'Lilly, dear, tell me truly--tell your sister, your very best friend--how it is you love your doctor?' I asked.
"'How?' she returned. 'Oh, Edna, more than all the world! He is all that I have lost and more; and if he should die, or I should lose him, I would not wish to live. I could not live. He loves me a little, does he not, Edna?'
"I could not reply. Just then there was a terrible struggle going on in my heart. That must be ended, the victory won ere I could speak. She waited for my answer and then said, eagerly:
"'Oh, speak, _do!_ What are you thinking about?'
"Pressing back the sigh--back and far down into the