Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-12-25
THE BABY's SPIRIT.
BY FRANCES HENsHAw BADEN.

BY FRANCES HENsHAw BADEN.
"Must you go?" asked a sweet, falter-
ing voice. And Stantly Morely turned
a look of annoyance on his handsome
face, and answered, in slightly impa-
tient tone.
81 really must. Well, what is it2 he
asked, as the beautiful eyes sought his,
with such an appealing expression in
them.
"Oh!I cannot tell, Stantly; if you
could only stay with us tonight! You
know 1 have not asked you fer a long,
long time. am impressed with such
a weight of gloom-of some coming sor-
row. hardly knew how TO express my
feelings. But do not 60 from Us, my
husband"
She came to him and clasped his hand
as if to hold him back.
1t had been long since she had beg
ged him to stay, or demonstrated against
his neglect. Stantly Merely remem-
bered it we'll. And for an instant his
heart was touched, and he felt that he
would rather remain with his wife and
child, than 60 to his accustomed place
of resort. But his word was pledged,
and 60 he must. In kinder tone e,plac-
ing his arm around her, he said:
"Oh, you are nervous, that's all. Cheer
up! will not be late tonight. 1 wish
could remain at home. But Nellie,my
word is given. You know, man of
honor cannot break his word. Now
smile. 1 will not go out tomorrow
night. In fact, must do better than
that. Pm getting tired of the club-room
nay not another word," playfully put
ting his hand over her mouth: 81 must
keep my word"
Had her lips moved to tell the thought
that filled both brain and heart then! =
His word could not be broken to his fell
low-man; his honor was involved. -
Where the promises Whispered in the
ear of trusting, confiding woman
Where, the vows made at the altar Of
God? Where? Gone-strewn to the
winds; disregarded and forgotten Be-
fore Heaven a guilty, perjured man.
With his companions the world his hon
or still untarnished. He put her gently
from him, and approached the lounge,
and bending lovingly over his lite girl,
asked:
care you asleep, Lilly? Bye-bye. Pa
pas going now."
She raised her sweet face to his, and
whispered:
"Most to sleep. Must papa 60 ?strok-
ing his face.
"For little while, darling. Kiss me
now goodbye, for an hour only, little
One."
As the door closed, and his steps were
heard in the hall, the mother caught
Lilly up, and whispered hurriedly:
"Call papa, Lilly, and beg him not to
forget to come back soon."
The little lips were parted to do her
bidding, but only hoarse sound came
forth, and Lilly whispered:
"Mamma, you call. Lilly's gotta cold
she can't call. Lilly will whisper to
papa"
"Stanley, stop moment Lilly wants
you," called Nellie, as his hand was on
the door knob.
He came back, holding out his arms,
into which his darling sprang, clasping
him lovingly around the neck.
"Papa, do come soon back. Lilly's
most mind to keep her arms round pa
pas neck ever and ever, and hold him,
so he cant 60 to those bad men,and stag
from mamma and Lilly" she whispered
in his ear.
'My little treasure, / will not stay
long. Nellie, she has taken cold; give
her some drops. Let me go, that 1 may
get back soon.''
With another kiss,he gently unwound
the little clinging arms, and placing her
in Nellie's lap, hurried out.
Five years before, when Stantly More
ly married the lovely Nellie Howard,
every one declared her most fortunate
in having secured a man of such bril-
liant prospects; ;the only of wealthy par
ents, land one of the most promising law
yers in the city.
How it was Stantly was first induced
to leave the society ofhis beautiful wife
or whether he had acquired fondness
for the gaming table before his marriage
it is difficult to tell. In the latter, he
had guarded his secret well; for he was
believed beyond reproach. For sew
eral months he was all that the most ex-
acting wife could wish. Gradually it'll
came; first one and another excuse for
his absence and late hours. "a meet
ing;" "the lodge;" tour club-night."
Then more frequent, until excuses ceas-
ed; and every night, with the remark,
swell, Pm going to the club now," he
left his wife and child.
With trembling heart, Nellie saw
his business neglected ,his health failing.
Almost daily she was subjected to the
deep modification Of having impatient
creditors pressing settlements of their
claims. In vain she had plead with him
until at length, ,despairing Of any change
for the better, she sank into a state of
quiet submission.