The Van Buren press., 1876-05-06

with feeling that perhaps eau now he
to you true helpmate, instead ofathe
idle, almost useless hplaytlhng 1 have
been. doubt not that the lesson will
be hard to me at first, but Iamready to
begin, and with cheerful Willingness, Il
think | can suimountt every obstacle
While have your love and confidence
| am happy. Take these from me, and i
shall be crushed SO do not grisve Cor
me' #a iisHro
so And that strong man could only gath
er the brave little comforter to his arms,
aud weep as only strong men can weep
" Bless you" he said when he could
speak. g But th9nggh lyon hayes epmtar
ted me more than | can tell you, yet my
heart is bursting t5rmy people, Oh, my
poor people Pay day, is at hand, and
have not dollar with which to pay them
!" All, your people; for the moment ]
bad forgotten them" murmured Maggie
with an expression of dismay.
Then suddenly Frightening she asked,
eagerly:
+" How much do you owe them. Hor,
ace? How much would it take to pay
them all :"
From five to eight thousand dollars.
How small a sum that seemed to me three
days ago. Aud now would almost give
my right hand for it. For know that
some of those poor fellows must 90 hun
CRY unless they are paid Oh, Maggie,
1t is almost more than | can bear. 1t
nearly drives me mad y
+" Horace" returned his wife, solemn
| ly, although she wasaas pale rs death, " we
have always professed to belevein an ov-
| er ruliug power; and now tell you God
will provide 1t seems dalk, now. but am
confdantthat all.will before long be made
light. Tell me- could you know that ev.
cry man had his months wages, would
you be comforted y
"Inexpressibly. now that You bear it
all so bravey. And suppose that some
time in the future shall get something
on the insurance. But it seems terrible
all this fearful waste of property ~
I" wish you would try not to think Of
it. Can you not 60 to sleepy Rest ,here
a few minutes, and l will bring you a
strong cGp Of coffee to brace up your
shattered nerves '=as-
She gently lowered his head upon the
pillow, and then glided swiftly from the
room. Twenty minutes passed, and she
was back again, bearing steaming cup
of fragrant Mocha.
Now drink this, dearest, to please
me- 81
He could not resist her, and drank it
to the dregs,
: You did make it strong, Maggie"
he said, for it is almost bitter, but feel
that it will do me good
A queer expression curled his wifc's
for moment flushed her delicate chessefk@' :
But setting the cup aside, she gently
smoothed his hair, until beneath her light
touch, he fell asleep.
Then up she sprang, all strength and
nerve, gave hasty glance at her watch,
AID began hastily 10 array herself in a
dark travelling robe. Her next move
was to unlock an elegant casket which
stood upon her dresslrg z table, from which
she took set after set of costly jewels,
These she fastened about her person and
clothing, and then rang her bell
Soon light tap upon the door an
swered her summons, and going just out-
side the door, she found, as she expected,
her maid.
Mary" she began, in low, hurried
tones" can trust you to follow implic
lily the directions | am about to give
your? ..-......
Yes. ma'am," answered the girl quiet
ly.
" thought might lam going away
| 1t is now eight O'Clock, and | shall be
| just in time to catch the New. \ ork train
want you to tell your master, when he
awakes, that am ont, but that | will
soon be back, and that | told you to
bring him a cup of tea. And, Mary, !
want you to put teaspoonful from this
vial into the tea He is SO exhausted
that he will he sick unless he sleeps a
long time. Will you remember
F" Yes, ma'am." ..
:" / shall be back to morrow evening"
| she went ON. 81 40 not wish Mr.. Man.
ming, under any circumstances, to know
where have gone, Are you sure you'll
remember 7" s...... --.
+" Yes, ma am"
"Well, then, send James around al
once with the carriage, for have no
| time to lose"
Another hour, and Maggie Manning,
the devoted wife. was speeding rapidly
toward New York. The brave woman
did not sleep until her goal was reached,
her business was tran sacted, and she had
returned home again. Then hearing that
| although her husband had twice reused
aud asked for her, he was now sleeping
again, she threw herself on her bed, and
suatched an hour or two ofrest.
She was at length wakened by hen
maid, who said that Mr., Manning had
woke again, aud was anxiously asking
for her
She rose, bathed her wan face, and
FASTENED to him.
Maggie, think--l am surc--I have
been drugged," were his first words
4" Did you do it y lt
6 Yes, dear, did, she answered brave,
ly, " and know you'll forgive me-, fol
you sadly needed rest, and your nerves
were SO wrought ND that sleep without
an anodyne was next to an impossibiiity
Besides, could not accomplish what
wished to do, unless had you obedi-
emily under this little thumb Of nine,
! IL nl,la1 lnurht,gi,- with cpina pf fin "A