The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-03

1 Z
el husband.
May was selt-sacrifcing and. devoted,
not telling even her own heart that she
had any ground for unhappiness, yet
surely pining for the open, cordial love
and praise Of her maiden life. Her
voice, sweet as q flute, never rang out
now in musical ripples Of laughter, her
footstep was soft and quiet, never dane
ing. as Of old, from merriment; her
piano stood unopened, her song was
ucyer heard. .c i-fi y
John was satisfied. with m uncom-
planning machine TO keep his house, and
ho had II. 1tLyk
So I told my heart, as II acllcd over
all this misery that seemed 50 hopeless.
But I judged him wrongly, as ! found
later.
II was q fearfully hot nightin August
when John Gordon, rapping at my
door, called:
evil you como to May9 She is i'll,
and 1 am going for the doctor"
I was quickly dressed and in the
room.
Before morning a tiny girl was sleep
ing in the nursery cradle, but the moth
or layin n dangerous stupor. For three
long weeks We watched tho frail life,
hanging on thread, sinking little by
littlo, with no point Of hope for the
anxious hearts that loved her. Tho
most dangerous symptom, the doctor
Nasure1 rs wnE thu nntipnt's own nDatlly.
"If you can rouse her." tho doctor
said to mo, "to try, to live, she may
yet recover, But q few days moro Of
this dull apathy will surely kill her."
Then I resolved to make one great
effort. My heart had reproachcd mo
moro than once forformer hard thoughts
when / noted John Gordon's pale, hag-
gard face, heard him pacing sleeplessly,
night after night, in the room nd joining
the one whero the nurse and myself
watched tho frail babe and apparently
dying mother. Ifelt sorry too for the
domestic discomfort OF n house left so
entirclyto servants, forI could onlygiye
general directions, with May needing
constant care I would not depend upon
the hired nurse to give.
With my resolution taken I went I;
after that interview with tie doctor,
straight to John Gordon's library. He
was sitting in q weary, listless atti-
tude, but rose TO place chair for me.
"Nfay is better?" he asked, with
touching eagerness, his. face falling
again as ] shook my head.
9"John," Isaid, plunging at once into
my GRAND, "will you lot mo speak q
| few plain words to you? ] have loved
May since she was tiny baby. and /
cannot SEQ her die without an effort to
save her. I believe you love herF"
az would give my life to sec her we'll
again." he said passionately.
"And yet" 1 said sadly, II harslly,
"tis your want Of appreciation that is
killing her.
"I do not understand you," le said,
and he was perfectly sincere when lie
Then very gently pointed out to
him how faithfully May had filed all
wifely duties.
"But women like these things. My
mother always kept thehouse and table
so," he said.
:" true, loving women like them iust in
proportion aS they giyc pleasure to
those they love-"
"But surely they always give pleas
ure. Do you imagine | do not known
how lovely my wifo Is, how patient and
careful? A mother to my boy, who
will make him noble, true man. Sure.
| iy, Miss Matte, / know my wife is al
most perfect"
aTell heryou lnowit,p I said. tIet
her SEQ II in your eyes, feel II in your
kiss. When sho makes o pic, assure
her II was tic sweetest pie you ever ate.
Praise her table, her boys dress, her
| lovely hanging baskets. She Is stary-
| ing, dying for 1oyingpraise. Goto her,
take her In your arms, and tell her how
dreary life will be 10 you II she is lost.
Bid her live for your sake, and she will
not die" ,...t,t..,,s,.,. s., =.
But the excitement, the agitationl !"
he said. al have scarcely dared to
speak to her, ~,
aAnd she is dying for want Of those
very loving words and kisses T.
1Come with me- he pleaded, "l
am fearful even now you may be wrong.
/ marched the nurse into the nexl
room with the baby, and thentook JohI
to Mays side. With tenderness mort
touching from his natural reserve, liz
bent over the pale face, and spoke ont
word: At.l a III Si7iF4
Darling
She looked into lisfac and met eye
SO full Of deep true love, that inyoldn
tarily she lifted her weak hands to dray
| her husband nearer,
"Darling, he repeated, and his lip
quiyered, chow pale you are, and sI
weak Oh, May, my own sweet wife, ]
cannot be you would die and leave me
.Iyho whole world looks desolate TO mi
while you lie here, When will yol
come 70 mo with baby May In you
arms. as you did with Harvey, TO asl
mo Il i am not proud to bo papai"
"Do you rcnemberH" she whisper
cd.
uRemomberl Why, May, there Is n,
word or lock Of yours I cannot remom
ber. Sweet wife, where We love we cal
/ stolS away. Heart meeting hear