The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-09-21

| reproach, and to keep my beautiful wife
out Of mischief. As for Bessy"-his voice
choked-" that poor child must no longer
breathe the same air with treachery and
corruption, in the person of Aura Rickson.
No, | shall leave her behind with my
sister"
This news he communicated to Bessy,
very gently, on the following day in the
presence Of his wife.
Bessy's cheek grew like marble the
child felt cold despair creep into her
heart. To leave these people whom she
loved and live henceforth among strangers!
What did it mean And only the night
before he had framed such beautiful pict
ures of other lands he had asked her if it
would please her to 20 to Italy, and she
had said yes, and felt 50 happy-as if all
was settled. She said nothing, however.
John kept himself aloof Aura was cold
and forbidding some wretched cloud had
settled over the household-sOme threaten
ing of evil seemed ever i'll the atmosphere.
After all, this was not really her home
Aura had told her 50, rudely enough, years
before. But she knew no other parents
no other shelter-no other love, John had
never given her an mkind word OF look
before and she was quite used to Aura's
whims. To leave them seemed an agony
too great to bear.
You are to 60 to l., with John,
tomorrow" Aura said not long after, one
soft, moonlight evening. Take Minna
up to your room she will help you pack.
My trunks are there-you can have the
smallest One-and you had better get ready
tonight"
Bessy's heart was nearly bursting. Her
proud little face scarcely changed, however;
she had become somewhat accustomed to
the idea; but she would never betray to
Aura, who had been so cold and almost
cruel Of late, the true state Of her feelings.
Mechanically, she threw down dresses and
emptied boxes, scarcely hearing the steady
stream Of small talk which Aura's maid
poured out.
And she, this silly girl, will 60 to that
beautiful country" she thought, bitterly,
while | am left among strangers.
Nobody loves me | am bereft and wretch
ed"
The time of trial came.
Aura coldly gave her cheek for good
bye kiss, and as coldly turned away John
was to accompany her to L; that was
one comfort John, whose heart ached for
the little white faced girl who sat so silent
ly and SO patiently by his side.
AS for him-well it was that she knew
nothing Of the tumult raging in his tortur-
ed soul. Many a time he said tercely to
himself Why not quaff from the brim
ming cup 50 near to your lips Take her
with you, now, away from the haunts Of
men. She will go; did she not say she
would 60 wherever you went Ay, like
slave, she will do your bidding. Ask her. "
He did turn half round in his seat, and
she looked up at him with appealing eyes.
D, how he longed to gather her to his
heart.
You would go n he said impulsively
" Where father Z"
Anywhere, with Inc r
30, you know would, she answered,
her beautiful eyes swimming with tears.
Too late too late - he muttered
between set teeth.
He said nothing more, leaving her to
to wonder why, till they gained the city,
and, finding carriage, he placed her
within, seating himself beside the driver.
His manner chilled and frightened her.
The poor child wondered what she had
done.
They stopped before tall, stately man
sion, and were ushered into the presence
Of gentle-looking woman, Johns only
sister.
" Is this the little maid who consents to
share my solitude n she said, kissing
Bessy's white forehead. 81 am so glad %
Bessy strove to speak, but the words
would not come.
She must 90 up stairs and rest a mo-
ment then | will bring her down for you
to amuse Of course, after your long
| journey and you both look weary-you'll II
stay to dinner Unfortunately, | have an
engagement this morning, and have kept
the horse walking till now. You will ex-
cuse me, am sure.
Now came Johns struggle. He strove
to say that he, too, had business that it
would be impossible for him to remain !;
that Bessy had better 60 out with her, but
one look at the girl quite unnamed him.
So he sat himself down 70 fight the battle
over. Every hour, he felt, weakened his
resolution.
His sister gone, and fair field for flight
Yes, even now, the thought pursued him /;
once away with Bessy, and the triumph
was his-yes, and Bessy was his.
/ bcsSy ApALneJlCdllT GOOh Oh HeF HAT anu
shawl, and tried to look interested in the
beautiful things about her f; but her heart
was downstairs with John. She wanted
to say so much to him-wanted to ask for
All explanation Of his strange and sudden
alteration, if she could only find words to
do it in. And perhaps-her heart beat
fast-it might be Just possible, that if she
could make one plea, he would reconsider
the matter-he would take her with him,
after all Aura had told her that she want
ed her perhaps he did not know that
She could have flown down the stately
staircase, instead Of waiting, demurely, for
the madam to 60 with her.
Z" am sure we shall be very good
friends, said that lady, when, at last, she
was ready; and, presently, Bessy was alone
with John.
Now she trembled- voice lost cour-
age.
John pointed to superb pisnaforte,
open. $50, he said play me something
and, he added, III lower tone, ''charm
the devel out of me-" Then he dropped
his face in his hands. Bessy saw him, for
the keys Of the instrument faced the wall.
She sang one of the sweet songs he loved,
watching him-hoping that he would look
up, to reward her with smile, perhaps.
He never moved. She played on-and
on-till the music grew almost msddening
to her for, as yet, John had not moved.
Then she stopped, and watched him-nO
life, no motion-that same half-despairing
attitude. The silence frightened her.
Was he asleepl Her heart ceased almost
to beat. Was he dead, that he sat thus,
like statHteg
She crept round-she stood before him
she satisfied herself that he breathed
then she dropped at his feet, and the old,
plaintive cry walled forth =
& Master-father r.
He moved his hands; they were wet
great tears stood on his lashes.
90, father-father you are very un-
happy You have some secret, terrible
SORROW"
"Yes; God knows | have n he NUT
tarad