Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-05-13
WHOLE NO 1929
reable. Would their lite always 60 on

greable! Would their life always go on
thus!
1t bid fair to, for she commenced the next
winter gayer than ever. Hugh rarely at
tended her now. Percy slept in the room
with me, and as he generally remained up
awhile at night to frolic with his papa, we
three spent the evenings together.
For two or three days Percy had been
threatened with the Group, aad all Ada's
motherly sympathies were aroused! be-
gan to fancy some new order of things was
to be instituted, when Ada declined invita-
tions for two successive evenings and re-
mained with US. On the third there was to
be grand private ball, on magnificent
scale. When Ada received her invitation
she ordered her dress, and it came home this
day about noon. 1t was so elegant, brocad-
ed with clusters of flowers in silver and
velvet. She did look regal when she tried
it on; then her maid brought her head dress
peerlassly lovely she looked; no wonder it
was temptation TO show that almost fault
less face and figure, with its elegant sur
roundings. to an admiring world.
One OF her intimate friends was ANNOUNCE
ed, and she went to the parlor in all her
beauty. Her face was flushed with the
many praises she had received, we saw on
her return, and she said, in an excited tone,
as il fearful of some objection
"Hugh, you don't think there's any dang
er in my leaving Percy tonight, do you'll"
"There's no danger unless he should be-
taken i'll and die," he replied, indifferentiy.
"But think he has passed through the
worst; see how lively he is"
Hugh looked rather doubtful.
"YOu don't object to nv go ng," she went
on
"If did it would do no good, as you have
doubtless, decided to CO." he replied, lit
tie bitterly.
"Of course l wouldn't go if thought
Percy was in any danger; but if he was
taken ill could only wiring my hands and
weep, while you and May did the work; SO
| shouldn't be much assistance"
$50 if YOU want to, Ada, don't let such
trifes keep you at Eome," and he left the
room.
There was an expression on his face
did not like, SO said
"Don't go tonight, Ada-please don't.
1t will be better for BOTH"
"What nonsense, May; and, after all,
Hugh does not wish to deprive me of en-
Joy ment, even # he is little vexed some
times. After having this elegant dress
made for the occasion, something more than
a trifle should keep me at home"
Was her child's lie her husbands love
only trifie,
In the evening she entered the room all
and told me to be careful of her precious
boy; then she went to Hugh, in all her
beauty, and said
"W ont you kiss me good-by."
Hugh rose up and suddenly, kissed her
and said "gGod-bye' in a strange tone, /
thought, and she swept out OF the room
right royalty.
Percy played with his papa awhile, then
fell asleep in his arms. That evening Hugh
took him when he went to bed.
That night seemed strange one to me.
Instead of going to bed sat down in an
arm char, thinking of Ada and Hugh. be-
lieve was nearly asleep, when a step rous-
ed me, and Hugh said
"Come quick, May! Percy is dying"
had him in my arms in a moment. His
face was purple with the effort he made TO
breathe.
"H ave you sent for the doctorl" | asked.
"No, but will instantly. o! May! can't
you save his lie! He will die before any
one can come"
For severa. days had been thinking over
for the Group; now went to work
for Percy was in part with me.
shut my eyes on the thought .of his death.
| hardly breathed, lest should lose a mo-
ment 1t seemed as if the doctor would
never come, while the little sufferers breath
grew sherter and shorter. was in a per-
feet agony of fear, and Hugh's anguish, as
he bent over his boy, only added to mine,
still kept on. There was strange rattle
in Percy's throat, then his face grew livid,
and Hugh, burying his face in the pillow,
said .-
"lt Is all over!
There was great struggle in the little
ones frame, and the effort he made, togeth-
er with the powerful emetc | had given
him, seemed for moment to have taken
away his life; but knew there was no more
danger from Group; SO, when saw him stir
| said, joytuliy-
"He is through with it, Hugh. he will
get well!'
'.God bloss you! God bless you, my darl-
ing!" and felt shower of fervent kisses
raining down upon me.
The doctor was announced He was not
very well acquainted with the family. there
fore scarcely noticed it when he said, after
listening to my treatment
"Your child's mother has saved his
life. But for her presence of mind and
he would nov be dead"
Nothing mvre was needed, but Hugh and
sat watching the sleeping child long after
the doctor had gone Hugh was restless,
and there was bright look in his eye that
| could not meet. Neither could tell why
should tremble so, as if
All! it was no wonder. When Hngh
Wilton Nv ined his strong arm around me
a nd drew me to his bIsom, giving utterance
to a wild, vehement, YET withal moErnfui
lo,e. I understood it all. Resist | could
not, so | lsteaed, terrified at those passiou-
,,e demonstrations, of self in his choosing
Ada, and his mad, wild love for me.
"HugL," said, hen | recovered my
L..,L ..I;stcn. relas,. ma lst mo Snask mn "