And it fell upon him now with an added blackness as he thought:
"Could I take Bessie and not tell her of that grave? I don't know; but
God will help me to do right, and all things will seem possible if He
gives Bessie to me."
She was breathing a little more heavily now; she might be waking; he
must kiss her good-by before she was conscious of the act, and bending
over her he kissed her forehead and lips and cheeks, on which his hot
tears fell fast.
"Good-by, my darling," he whispered. "In this world you may never know
how much I love you, but in the next, perhaps, I may be permitted to
tell you how it broke my heart to see you lying so low and to know that
I must leave you. Darling Bessie, good-by;" and with another kiss upon
her lips he lifted up his head to meet the wondering gaze of the blue
eyes, in which for an instant there was a puzzled, startled expression,
then they filled with tears, and Bessie's lips quivered as she said:
"Don't, Mr. Jerrold, such words are not for me. I--don't you know?"
She hesitated a moment, and he said:
"I know nothing except that I love you with my whole heart and soul, and
whether you live or die you will be the sweetest memory of my life.
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