Huntington advertiser. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1874-1921, 1875-04-22

/ llts uUilc uchuC no. huCu tOOh-
ed in the white little face that
had been so rosy when / first took
her from her home. And instead of
growing stronger, she only dropped
more and more, like flower in the
first frost and the child was as trail
as she.
l don't like to tell the story of
those months. Other people were
kind and helped US; and was forced
to take the help, for the sake of those
two creatures who needed more than
| could give them. Her mother
come every day now to nurse my
wife and fondle my child, and bring
them luxuries that could not buy
such luxuries as would have been
heaped Before them, in Edna's old
forfeited home.
| l worked night and day at my
clerkship, bearing as best | could in
agony of heart and soul that burden
of utter helplessness, the torments of
standing aside empty-handed, while
others gave TO the woman and child
who were all my own. And then
there came blaoker day still, and
even the little that / had was snatch
ed away.
There was a season of business
losses and heavy failures; firm after
firm gave way, and men went home
idle, and my turn came with the rest.
And l knelt down by my wife's bed,
looked into her eyes, and told her
and asked her to forgive me for tie
wrongs had done in loving her..
Don't feel so badly, Shirley" she
whispered, moving her bead on my
shoulder. .4know l am burden
to you, darling, but II can't wish
it undone; we've been so happy-we
are so happy still-we've got each
other and baby, and such long life
yet for all these little troubles to pass
away in. And it can't last long;
you'll get something better than what
you lost. Perhaps it will be the very
best thing for us, after all, that YOU
should lose this place, and so be for
ccd to make change"
perhaps! It's all chance" | said
bitterly, 'and | must sit with my
hands tied and wait, ard you-Edna,
they were right | was a selfish brute
TO draw you down to this"
She clasped her arms around my
neck and kissed me and stopped my
mouth; and we were silent for awhile.
and the room grew dark in the twi
light
Shirley" she said, softly at last;
would you let my father help yOu?'
What do you mean?"
Mamma asked me n month ago If
YOU would leave New Orleans, and
take position in my uncle's house in
New York. Inever told you because,
she wanted me to come home then,
Sh riley, and let you 60 alone, and |
couldn't
go homew gathered her closer
the baby in her arms, too. Child
has il come to that?'
mo, she whispered, softly. at
never will; I'll go with YOU there, or
anywhere else Oh earth, Shirley"
us it 100 late to take the offer
now" ] asked, starting up. ""hy
do you ask ifI'll let him help me,
Edna - better that than taking his
aims, God knows and I've done
that so long. What is the place.
Child, I'll Almost beg at the street
corners for you, if that was all. >
"WiIl you 90 and see papa?" she
cried, lighting upall over her wasted
little face. II don't know about 1t,
oaly that mamma said there might
be an opening for you, and it would
be much better than your old place,
and papa would use his influence for
you. VIII you 20, Shirley"
Yes, l will" | said, STOPPING
down to kiss her.
Something was dragging me back
all the withholding me fast to the
bedside, within touch Of her little,
not hand, and hearing of my baby's
sleeping-soft brcath-but | didn't
head it. ] WAS desperate, and her
eyes drove me out into the world to
struggle with it, and win, for her
sake-and went.
So the end OF it was that letters
went back and forth, and in two
weeks from the day that 1 was dis
charged from my clerkship Was
engaged by the New York house, OF
which Mr.. Verderays $ brother was
head, at salary that would keep
Edna safely all the winter far enough
out of reach Of want or the need OF
alms. Only, it WAS desperate mans
resource, you knOw-she ihuSt DC
in New Orleans, while | was in New
York.
1t was long enough before | could
show her that such a parting was
inevitable. In I'LL the years after |
had that to remember, that she clung
TO me to the last, but ! had to put her
from me. Ever since our boy was
born she had been growing weaker,
and her lungs and chest were delicate,
even dangerously so. 4 winter at
the north they said, would kill her,
and must not dream OK taking her
away until she vas thoroughly well
again. must leave her behind /; and,
since | could not leave her alone and
sick she must go to her tatheiss
house.
That was the way it happened.
They were so glad 10 take her back =
they had forgiven her entirely ard