The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-06-08
panion In my housckccpcr when ! chooss TO
talk 10 her, an unobtrssivo minister 70 my
comfort, when was silent. -

talk " her, an unoDtrusivo minister 70 my
comfort, when was silent.
True, Mn. Bihop found, whenever shs
honorcd mo with visit, that something OF
other was not ordered as she managed Il In
poor Roberts time. 'Housekeepen, even
tho bcst Of thcm,' she wus wont TO remark.
require little looking after. They can't
DO expected 10 take 20 much interest In ones
afairs, % ones own relations Her COM
mcnts did not givo mo much uneasiness, how
ever.
went homo ono day littlo earlier than
usual. thought . quiet chat with my
over tho dining-room hre would
not DO unpleasant. bad begun already, TO
take altogether moro interest In her than 1
was prepared to acknowledge myself. ! pic
turcd, as hurried home, tho tabie hand
somely laid, and Mrs. Smith In her neat,
quiet dress, sitting by the fro with book or
work, waiting for tho dinner to be brought
up. As reached my own door, however, I
found it open, and three children OF varying
ages, taking q most aaectionate farewell OF
my housckeapcr. had never cared enough
for any one before 10 experience such an en-
otion rs jealousy, but think no other word
would adequately describe my feelings -
walked into the parlor and shut the door
Presently Mrs. Smith made her appearance.
y am very sorry, sir, she began.
Not at all, madam
%, but am. remember your stipula.
tions about the children, perfectly. I surely
did not intend they should annoy you. I
presumed you would have no objections to
their coming sometimes In your absence, and
! like to see them rs often a. can, bat they
shall not DO here again at an hour when you
arc likely 10 come home
She must have thought me IN ungracious
boor for growlcd out, merely,
NO matter-no matter at all.
was In an Ill humor. The pleasant an.
ticipations with which had hurried homo
had not been realized. Moreover, suspect
ed was becoming too much interested In my
housckeeper to like to be rrminded that 9th
en had stronger claims upon her That cv-
ening sat on ono side OF tho bright fro, and
Mrs. Smith on tho other. abhor furnaces
1t Is ono Of my whims. loved, when I
was boy, 10 mako pictures In tho fro, and
tho habit and have grown old together
We had sat silently for some time. I was
watching In two cmbers two little boats sail
ing on lovingly side by side. At length I
'what was Mr. Smith s business, MADAME
"A merchant. Ho was IN q dry goods firm;
and able to give us every luxury until ho
failed
So that was Il. Ho had failed and died,
and left her oil those children to support
looked into the FIRE again. Tho boats had
drifted far apart, and were sailing down
fame-colored river
-IIs on the one side-she on the other"
I unused on, half sorrowfully, until ut
length I said, speaking unconsciously out
loud
.perhaps I could have stood The children,
IL II weren't for thinking she had loved some
body clsc. She'd be looking back, aud all
the time comparing mo with No. L.
Sir
My voice had attracted Mrs. Smiths at
tention from her book, but sho had evident
ly not understood what aid, and was look
ing up inquiringly. Thank fortune for that.
laughed little nervously, imagine.
Nothing. I was not speaking to you.-.
In fact, think was talking In my Sleep
She looked down again, and watched her
instead Of the fire. She was prctty-prctti-
or than had given her credit for ut Gst.-
l thought, too, she might DO younger than
thirty, Us surveyed her now. There was
delicate peach blossom color on her check,
an innocent, almost girlhl5 oppression on her
face Well, cheek and blossom were moth.
ing to me. / got up and went disconsolato-
ly to bed.
The next day, my sister law camc 10 SEQ
me. Az usual, she had plenty Of suggestions
to make to Mrs. Smith, which that lady rc-
ceivcd In silence, but with peculiar twinkle
in her eyes. At length Mn. Bishop follow
cd me into the library.
well, Sandie, she remarked, seating her
self, since you do not seem disposed 70 iui-
fiji my prediction and marry your housekcep-
er, suppose may speak Of her freely.
have thought, from the first, that she was q
very artful woman. have no doubt that
when she camc here, she meant TO marry
you. She Is very attentive now, but OF
course sho has her own motives. ] can see.
II any trial should como, you would lind out
who your friends arc.'
Mrs. Bishop was right In this, for the tri-
nj did come, and saw who my friend was,
my own friend.
I was taken III early In the spring. Ny
sickness came on suddenly. was attacked
with severe headache and sharp pains In my
back. The 6rst two days Mp. Bishop spent
In assiduous care Of mo though, 70 confess
the truth, her attentions were unwelcome,
and would far rather have been abandoned
to the tender mercis Of my housckecper,
who rarely camo into the room when my sis
ter.in>law was there. The third morning
my physician pronounced my disease small
pox. Even In that moment of terror look
cd at Eliza Bishop. Her face paled, and
could SEQ her hands shake. She spoke In q
trembling voice
Il wish could stay with you, Sandie
wish I could. III were only for myself, I
you'd, but my children
u would not have you stay ! answered.
Il would not have you run tho risk for worlds
trust you have not endangered yourself
Goodbye, sister Elira.'
She went out Of tho room, and turned 70 q
Mrs. Smith, who was standing near.
Now you must 20, also. Tho doctor Nill
find somo ono 10 nurso mo, and you, too,
must look out for your children
u must look out for you, cir. Ny duty Is
hero, now. 1.-Two or die, l shall stay With
you while you need no.
The little woman's voice was firm, and her
eyes shone with . clear, rcsolute light. I
had not thought shc posscscd % much will
and courage.
Consider aid. DO you rcalisa ali tho
risk you ruaf OF loathsomc discas( ls6g-
perhaps terrible deathr
Il have considered oil, sir, and shall stay
Was I sel6sh to allow Il? Perhaps 20,
but even In that hour Of deadly peril, ], who
had never loved woman before, longcd 10
have her at my side, 10 share my danger.
nay, 70 die, II l died; 10 live for mo, or, iail-
Ing that, for no other.
I need not give tho details Of the sietnes
which iollowed-ths weeks Of terrible su9f->
Ing when my body and soul could ssrcSy
cling together. Hook back upon it, strong
man a I Am, with shivsring dresd.