The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-07-08

Il. a she had him, for the frivolous
world around her. His hope was not
realized. Mrs. Morgan loved her child.
but she loved admiration more, and she
neglected the first to gain the latter. Her
husband talked with her tenderly and
kindly, begging her to be true to her
duties as a wife and mother, but to no
purpose. He was powerless to move
her. The old life was continued, and
the husband slowly came to think
that she cared for neither the child nor
him.
At last change came. Little Maggie
grew pale and thin. The doctors said
she would not live through the Winter
that she might die at any moment.
Even this could not draw the mother
from her habits, which had grown to be
second nature. She felt incapable of
making an effort to do better, even had
she been DESTROYS of doing so.
One night she came home from con-
cert. She had refused to stay at home,
though her husband had begged her to
do so, as Maggie was worse. He met
her at the door, and there was some
thing 80 terrible in the sad gaze with
which he greeted her, that she sprang
to him in alarm.
"What is the matter ?" she asked,
hurriedly.
He made no reply, but led her into
row the hours which she had devoted to
mirth and pleasure. One glance told
her all. Little Maggie lay on the bed,
with her little hands folded on her
breast, her eyes closed, and look of
exquisite peace upon her face. But
it was only the child's body which lay
there, for her soul was far away in the
better land.
"When did she die?' asked the
mother, family, the sense of her guilt
ness rushing over her with fearful
force.
when You were at the concert" he
replied. coldly.
She sunk into a chair, and covered
her face with her hands. Her husband
gazed at her pityingly for a moment.
Then his face grew hard and stern.
margaret" he said-and his voice
was 80 cold she looked up in astonish-
ment-"this child's death breaks the
last bonds between us. You have long
ago convinced me that I was not neces-
sary to your happiness, and whatever
love I once bore you will be laid with
this little one in her grave. Tomorrow
l 60 back to my home. I shall take
my child's body with me. As you neg
lected her in life, You will not care for
her now that she is dead. suppose
that you will never meet me again.
You will not miss me, and I shall
not care to force my presence upon
You
There was no passion, no wrath in his
tone. His manner was so calm, and his
voice was 80 cold an icy, that the guilty
woman felt that all between them was
indeed at nm end. As he finished speak.
ing, he turned and left the room. He
did not see the white, anxious face she
turned to him, nor hear the low cry Of
agony with which she implored him to
come back.
An hour later the servants found her
lying senseless. The swo0n was fol-
lowed by a long attack of fever, and
when the unhappy woman awOke to
consciousness she found herself alone.
Her husband had kept his word and all
between them was ended. Her punish
ment had come upon her at last, and it
was greater than she could bear. At
first she thought she would 60 back
and beg her husbands forgiveness, but
her false pride drove her from this
course, and when her husband next
heard of her she had gone off to the
Continent with her too indulgent father
and party OF friends. He thought her
heartless, but did not know that she had
gone to try to kill the fearful sorrow
that was tearing her soul.
When Mr.. Morgan left her, he thought
his love for her was dead. But he lit
tie knew his own heart, and soon found
that he never loved her so we'll as now
Yet he would make no overtures toward
reconciliation. The advance must
come from her, he said, not knowing
how gladly she would have made it, had
she believed there was the slightest hope
that he could think her penitent, and
take her back to his heart again.
Suddenly Mrs. Morgan started, and
listened intently.
"Do You hear anything, Harry? ?" she
asked, seriously.
"Nothing, mother" he answered, alb
sently.
Il am sure heard sound like some
one sobbing," she said, land it seems
to be outside the window"
1T was your fancy, mother" he said,
with sad smile.
But as he spoke the sound was heard
again, this time too plain to be doubted,
and it came from without the low win
dow which opened on the lawn. Mr..
Morgan rose hastily, and walked to the
window. The moonlight showed him q
woman lying in the snow beneath the