The Canton mail. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 18??-1882, 1876-04-22


that have just gone out have none of ii
grace of childhood. They are fast b
, coming little pieces of vanity, all al
ssrbed in their finery. Their unde
clothing would do for signs in an emp,
rum of linen, with the embroider,
ruffles, and tucks."
But l do it all myself, James"
Exactly. You are stitching yr lifeo
into the garments of your children, VIII
would be far happier, healthier, and bet
ter in the simple clothing suited to thei
years."
ooh, am well enough. 1 am pal,
to-day because 1 sat up late last night
But l must dress for church, or we shall
be late"
The glad Easter service passed ovel
Mrs. Henley with but little impression
To her chagrin, the little Goodwins, who
had all their dresses direct from London
had an entirely new style of overskirt
that made Jennie, Susan, and Lottie
look quite old-fashioned in the eyes OF
their mother.
Summer came, and the long spring
days were spent in preparing seaside
| wardrobe for the children, for Mr.. Hen
ley, by the advice of his physician, was
going to take his wife to the seaside.
The pain in her side had become very
troublesome, and there was a little hack
ing cough that meant wakeful nights.
The pale cheeks were seldom tinged with
healthy color, and the eyes were Ian
guild and heavy. People spoke pityingIy
of Mrs. Henley as "quite an invalid"
and her husband mourned over the al
teration in his wife.
He insisted upon having a physician,
who advised fresh air, and exercise, and
tonic. And Annie obediently swal.
lowed the tonic, took daily walk, and
then made up for " lost time" by stitch
ing at night. For were not the Good
wins, the Wilcoxes, and all the leading
fashionables Of Langton going to the
same place where Mr.. Henley had taken
rooms, and could Jennie, Susan, and
Lottie have one inch less ruff1ing and
tucking than they possessed?
He only shrugged his shoulders when
his little girls minced along with dainty
airs, instead of bounding with
the freedom of childhood He bore the
steady whirr of the sewing machine in
the evening, instead of the voice or
music of his wife.
But when Annie's health began to
give way he exercised his authority, and |
found he had been silent too long.
Bat, the summer wardrobes completed,
the dainty dresses trimmed, the trunks |
packed, Annie faithfully promised James
TO rest during the summer sojourn at the
seaside. With a sudden consciousness of |
growing weakness there came to her an
appreciation of her husbands love and
patience that had been numbed She
began to realize that she had let her am
oitiOn for dress overshadow her love for
Ter husband, and that she had wronged
lin in depriving him of the companion
hip she had priced SO highly.
I" will rest while am gone, and when
come back, James, will give my even
ngs to you as l did when we were first
married."
That was her parting promise, never
o be exacted. Only few days rest were
flowed her before an acute attack of
ung fever Frustrated her. James left
is business to hurry to the seaside, a
urse was engaged, and medical skill did
IS utmost. But the constitution, weak
ned by confinement and overwork, could
OF resist the disease, and while the sum-
Ter days were still in their full beauty
1rs. Henley knew she was dying.
1t was bitter thought. Life held so
luch that was precious her kind, loving
usband, her beautiful children, her
Apply home, all these must be left.
" A mysterious disPensation of Provi- ,
ence," said Mrs. Goodwin; "fuch I
bod mother. And those children are
lst the age when they most need a ,
lother's care"
Annie Henley, in the dread hour when
lie babe farewell to hope, wound her
rms around her husbands neck, and
,bbed-
" If l had only listened to you, James,
might have been a guide to our chill ]
rem, companion to you for many '
ears, and when died have left loving E
emories instead of a trunk of fine I
othing. Ihave wasted my life" II
And James Henley, in his widower's
eeds, with his three ittle-girls in SOM a
,r black beside him, wonders MOURN E
lily how many mothers of the land are
asting their lives in the same struggle Ia
r appearance. s