The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-09-28
disc which had SO nearly been her

disc which had SO nearly been her
own. .fs...t-
And SO, at twilight, with the dainti.
ly ironed and futed laces in her bas-
ket, she walked to Hadfield Hall.
How stately it looked with its broad
colonaded facade, all glitteriDg with
lights !; its grand conservatory at the
back, where palm leaves and bananas
brushed the glass top. and terraced
grounds! Oh, if she had only said
"ves" to Howard Lindsey eleven
years ago!
Within everything was in keeping
Administer carpets, like banks Of moss
covered the floor; marble statues stood
in velvet-lined inches; lights glowed
softly, and tables, loaded with orna-
ments, stood around.
"Hush!" said Lefty, as Mrs Ellison
with some pride, pointed out the vari-
Gus beauties of the place. What is
that noise like woman crying PIN
the next room. 1 think"
MIS- EliiSOD lace u.
'.It's Mrs. Lindsey, poor DEAR" said
she. "The masters a brute. He's
been drinking too much-Mlle Ste
phanie says he always drinks too
much aud he struck her. Struck her
and called her a whimpering fool be-
fore all OF us servants. L never saw a
man strike woman before, and l de-
claae it made me sick all over. Bat
says it's common enough.
oh, my dear, she's wretched in spite
of her money"
elias she no children ?" Letiie asked.
"She had two, but she lost 'em both.
Mile Stephanie says she often cries
and, wishes she was dead, too. And |
don't wonder much. with such hus-
band as she's got. Hush! there he
comes now"
{ And shrinking behind carved
group of Italian marble statuery, the
two women watched Howard Linds-
ley stalk gloomily by. with red, in
famed eyes. sullep, downlooking face
and shufiling, unsteady tootstcp.
Silently, Lefty Wyngard went home
thanking God in her heart that she
wss Il poor mars wife.
"Have you heard of the accident -
asked old Peter Styles, who was
standing at the gate. as she hurried by
in the deepening dusk.
'sNo. What accident? What has
happened p
''rhat there house as your husband
was workin' i'm has all ltumbed in ALI
heap, o ruins! Something wrong
about the foundation, they say, and"
"Oh, my Godp wildly interrupted
Lefty, clasping her hands. WAS he
hurt? My busbdnd p
"Well," hesitated old Styles, there
were two men killed, one had his arm
broke. But"
Lefty waited to hear no more. Swift
as an arrow out of bow she sped
homeward, horrible dread winging
her footsteps with almost incredible
speed. Oh, if John should be killed,
John, her faithful, loyal husband,
whom she had rocked so lightly Of
whom that very day she had allowed
to leave her without goodbye kiss.
If her children should be fatherless-
if
"John! John!" she walled, as she
pushed open the door, and went
breathlessly into the kitchen.
"Well, little woman, what is ii 2"
And-oh! thanks to an All Merci-
ful Hcavcn-John Wyngard turned
his bright, loving face toward her
from the hearth side, where he was
sitting with a child on either knee.
Il know.what is in your dumb, ,ques-
tioning eyes, Lettie. l am not hurt, |
hank God. had gone to the hard
ware store for another barrel of nails, |
when the building fell. No, no, Eetty |
you'll not get rid of me quite so easy"
Lefty threw herself, sobbing, into
Ter husbands arms.
~ II, John. John, love me. Hold |
TO, your heart, John. I've
,een repining aud selfish. I've never
'eeng half good enough to you; but.
,iease4 God, III be better " oman and
more faithful wife from this night
lenceforward,!"
And then she told him the history
e The day 4 adventures.
ITS natural enough, little wife,"
'ohm said, kindly stroEing her hair.
Bat. for all that, I'm glad you've real
led9that money is not always happi-
less.'
And more contentcd couple than
nhn Wyngarj and his wife Lefty
ever sat by CHEEKY freside. Lefty
,-;s t,ro Fl ted l,vs fnr lassnp .4lE