At this point in the story Guy broke down entirely, sobbing as only
strong men can sob.
"Maddy," he said, "I felt like a heartless wretch--a most consummate
hypocrite--as, standing by Lucy's side, I met the fond, pitying glance
of her blue eyes, and suffered her poor little hand to part my hair as
she tried to comfort me, even though every word she uttered was
shortening her life; tried to comfort me, the wretch who was there so
unwillingly, and who at this prospect of release hardly knew at first
whether he was more sorry than pleased. You may well start from he in
horror, Maddy. I was just the wretch I describe: but I overcame it,
Maddy, and Heaven is my witness that no thought of you intruded itself
upon me afterward is I stood by my dying Lucy--gentle, patient, loving
to the last. I saw how good, how sweet she was, and something of the
old love, the boy love, came back to me, as I held her in my arms,
where she wished to be. I would have saved her if I could; and when I
called her 'my darling Lucy,' they were not idle words. I kissed her
many times for myself, and once, Maddy, for you. She told me to. She
whispered: 'Kiss me, Guy, for Maddy Clyde. Tell her I'd rather she
should take my place than anybody else--rather my Guy should call her
wife--for I know she will not be jealous if you sometimes talked of
your dead Lucy, and I know she will help lead my boy to that blessed
home where sorrow never comes.' That was the last she ever spoke, and
when the sun went down death had claimed my bride. She died in my
arms, Maddy. I felt the last fluttering of her pulse, the last beat of
her heart. I laid her back upon her pillows. I wiped the blood from
her lips and from her golden curls. I followed her to her early grave.
I saw her buried from my sight, and then, Maddy, I started home;
thoughts of you and thoughts of Lucy blended equally together until
Aikenside was reached. I talked with Mrs. Noah; I heard all of you
there was to tell, and then I talked with Agnes, who was not greatly
surprised, and did not oppose my coming here tonight. I could not
remain there, knowing you were alone. In the bridal chamber I found
your bouquet, with its 'Welcome to the bride.' Maddy, you must be that
bride. Lucy sanctioned it, and the doctor, too, for I told him all.
His own wedding was, of course, deferred, and he did not come home
with me, but he said: 'Tell Maddy not to wait. Life is too short to
waste any happiness. She has my blessing.' And, Maddy, it must be so.
Aikenside needs a mistress; you are all alone. You are mine--mine
forever."