The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1876-04-15
"When shall send for the laccs q
Yrs. Ellison finally asked, when she

Mis- IlI'lSOu IuNIIy NshCu, NuCu Suc
rose to depart.
"I1l take them home myself about
Dusk" said Lefty, inwarl|y resolving
to get herself a glimpse into this par
a,tisc which had so nearly been her
own.
And so, at twilight, with the dain-
tily ironed and tlutcd !accs in her
basket, she walked to Hadheld Hall.
How stately it looked with ist broad
colona,led facade, all glittering with
lights ; its grand conservatory at the
back, where palm leaves and banners
brushed the grass top, and the ter
raced grounds! Oh, if she had only
said "yes" to Howard Lindsey eleven
years ago?
Within, everything was in keeping.
Administer carpets, like banks of
moss, covered the tioor--marblc sta.
tues stood in velvet lined inches
lights glowcd softly, and tables, load
ed with ornaments, stood around.
"Hush ! said Lefty, as Mrs. Ellison,
with some pride, pointed out the va
rious beauties of the place. "What
is that noise like a woman crying !?
In the next room, Think
Mrs. Elhson's face cloudcd over.
ats Mrs. Lindsey, poor DEAR" said
she. "Tho masters a brute. He's
been drinking too m"ch-Ma.lcmoi-
selle Stephauic says he always drinks
too much-and he struck her! Struck
her, and called her a.whimpcrins fool,
before all of us servants. never saw
il man strike u woman before, and l
declare it made me sick all over. Bnt
Stephanie says it's u common thing
enough. Oh, my dear, she's wretched
in spite of all her money!"
elias she no children Lefty softly
asked.
"She had two, but she lost 'cm both.
Mademoiselle Stcphanio says she Of
ten cries and wishes she was dead,
too. And I don't wonder much, with
such 4 husband rs she's got. Hush !.
there he comes now"
And shrinking behind q carved
group of Italian marble statuary, the
two women watched Howard Limbs.
ley stalk gloomily by, with red, in.
famed eyes, sullen, down looking face
and shutting, unsteady fo"tstep.
Silently Lefty Wyngard went home,
thanking God in her heart that she
was a poor mans wife.
slave you heard Of the accident ~
asked old Peter Styles, who was
standing ont at the gate, as she hur'
riel by, in the deepening dusk.
"No, what accident What has
happened" !,
"That there house as your husband
was workin' in has all tumbled in
All a heap of ruins! Something
wrong about the foundation, they say,
and"
ooh. my God! wildly interrupted
Lefty, clasping her hands. "Was he
hurt? Ny husband p
wWell,'' hcsitated old Styles, "there
was two men killed, and one had his
arm broke. But"
Lefty waited to hear no more.
Swift us an arrow out of a bow she
sped homeward, Il horrible dread
winging her footsteps with almost
Incredible speed. Oh! IL John should
bc kilIed-John, her faithful loyal
husband whom she had rocked ST
lightly of-whom that very day she
had allowed to leave her without the
goodbye kiss. If her children should
be fatherless-if-
"Jolln ! Joha y she walled as she
pushed open the door, and went,
breathlessly into the kitchen.
swell, little woman, what is it +
And-oh {! thanks to an All Mcrci
full Heaven-John Wyngard hlmse:'
turned his bright, loving face towards
her from the hearthside, where he
was sitting, with a child on either
knee. III know what is in your dumb
questioning eyes, Lefty. l am moi
hurt, thank God. ] had gone to the
hardware store for another barrel u
nails, when the building fell. No, no
Lefty, you'll not get rid Of me qn't'
so easy"
Lefty threw herself sobbing int
his arms.
"Ah! John, John, love me. Holt
me close to your heart, John. 1v'
been repining and selfish. pve ncve
been half good enough to you; but
please God, III be Il better woman
and a more faithful wife from thu
night l.euceforward."
And then she told him tho histor!
of her days adventures.
"It's natural enough, little wife,
said John, kindly stroking her hair
"But for all that, Pm glad yo"'v
; realized that money isn't always hap
piness."
And 4 more contented couple tina
John Wyngard and his wife Lett.
never sat by a CHEEKY tiresidc. Lett
had protite.l by her lesson.