The Missing Bride. Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte Southworth

      "Jacquelina, it means death."

      "Oh, no! No, no! No, no! Not so! There's Miss Nancy Skamp has had a cough every winter ever since I knew her, and she's not dead nor likely to die, and you will be well in the spring," said the girl, changing color; and faltering in spite of herself.

      "I shall never see another spring, my child—"

      "Oh, mother! don't! don't say so. You—"

      "Hear me out, my dear; I shall never live to see another spring unless I can have a quiet life with peace of mind. These symptoms, my child, mean death, sooner or later. My life may be protracted for many years, if I can live in peace and comfort; but if I must suffer privation, want and anxiety, I cannot survive many months, Jacquelina."

      The poor girl was deadly pale; she started up and walked the floor in a distracted manner, crying:

      "What shall I do! Oh! what shall I do?"

      "It is very plain what you shall do, my child. You must marry Dr. Grimshaw. Come, my dear, be reasonable. If I did not think it best for your happiness and prosperity, I would not urge it."