The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1856-08-07


child from starvation" and the lady brought
down her cenched hand on the table. 80
No, not on the table, but on a book that
lay there. No wonder the fir>Ii and the
scorn went out from the ady's face, for that
book was her nother's Bible, and the old
days when she read it at her knee, came
like far travellers away from her life's morn.
ing, and stood still and reproaclfully about
her. She bowed down her fair face on the
old brown cover and wcpt, and the angel in
her heart fled his head aud whispered For
give even as re would be forgiven" There
was long, fierce struggle between the GOOD
and the, evil in the soul of Alice Reade that
night. But there was new beauty ON her
face, the beauty of peace when ut last it was
lifted from the old Bible.
"Well, Alice, what can do for YOU this
mornings Z"
Mr., Reade leisurcly drew on his glasses as
he asked the question, glancing adnirngly
at the graceful position of his wife. as she SAT
IN her easy chair, her head cushioned on its
crimson back.
lie was n portly, pompous- looking man,
with a slrewd, self lfsati>fied kind of phvsiog.
nomy--a fine, well, unreserved elderly gen.
II thank you. don't want ANYTHING. Mr.
We'll speak out: my dear, for ought
to have been on Wall street an houi ago"
"Didn't you promise me n new diamond
pin, last week ?" She looked up from the
figures on the rug with smile diinplng her
mouth, which few husbands would have re-
sisted.
,o -, 80. -, ..... ...
$50 ] did, dear child, and see you wan,
it to,nightfo for the party. Well, you shall
have it for two kisses"
mo, shant't either for I've pins. enough
already, but" crossing her hands coaxing on
his arm, 81 want the money very much for
something else. It's a great secret, so don't
please, ask me anything. about it, only say
may have it.
"A thousand dollars to throw away on a
secret. Extrayagant Alce!' Mr.. Reade
drew in his breath, bnt there was smile
lurking in his eyes, and his wife knew all
was right.
Send mp the note before clssen--please
Mr. Readr J" were the words that followed
the millionaire down stairs.
Let us change the scene.
1t was high chamber, in dilapidated
brick row, and miseraLly destitute. A few
ashesswere slnonldesing on the hearth, and by
this sat shi, ering, starving mother and her
child S'
"Mother, mother, won't papa come home
pretty soon, and bring Newell nice cake ~
said the boy.
II hope so, dearIttle boy. Oh ifhe only
can sell one ofthc pictures 1t was pitiful,
the sob in the woman's voice, the tone half
hopeful, half despairing, in which she spoke
this. She was young and very pretty still,
even with her pale, pinchel face, and the
sorrow that looked out of her large, blue
eyes.
There was no great force of character in
the face, 1t is true. You felt it was not one
to meet calmly, .defantly, the great trial
hours Of life, but it was sweet, womanly,
and oh, so very sorrowful
The boy, of some five summers, was not
like his mother. The tone of his face, from
the broad foi iehead, to the small, full mouth,
was stronger and deeper. Even lis large,
hazel eyes and brown hair were his fathers
And then TO think of the husband and the
father, with his sensitive, aesthetic. nature,
and his proud, high spirit reduced TO this !
Oh, Lucious Branie it might have been
"Nf'N"SHN' "ho Sih, puI ~ Nito DdIu|y StTHu0c
that you had gone out from the old cham
Der that day, with these words in your heart,
Success or iSuicide."
The boy drew up closer to his. mother,
and she put her arms tenderly about him,
but she did not speak for fear the tears would
come. With all his rare gifts the artist
father had neye: painted so touching pic.
ture.
Another hour went BY, and there was the
quickering of feet on the old stair case, and
something in the sound which gave new
spring thope to the hearts that beat low by
the dying ashes. ...sa, ,.s.... -.
The door burst open, and Lucius Brante
rushed wildly in. and threw heavy
purse into his wif.'s lap. Was the man
mad For he clasped her and the frighten.
cd child one moment in his arms and threw
them up, triumphantly laughing and shout
ing, while the tears ran down his proud
face, as they would down the face Of little
child.
"What does II mean, I.ucius l--speak to
me-, gasped the young wife, shaking from
head TO foot.
81 have saved you, Helen, Newell Thank
God--thank God There islA thousand
dollars in that purse. Oh, it seems as il
must be dreaming, as if this great, sudden
IL l. u