The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-07-22

when yet there:' lie said, tenderly.
Yes, Jack, promise said, and then
was time to return, for the hours had gl.ueI
by, how, we could not tel
Jack spent the evening with u at nome
and then he lett Us hurrediy, for our IaFe
; wells had been said in the wood, and II wa
one hearty kiss, given and taken before M
old people, and then goodbye.
But saw him pass soon atier dayNFeaf
and he saw nae ana waved his hand, for haC
sat by the window all night, lest | might lie
him go by and asleep
And then time glided on sadly, but pleas
an,!y as well. Mine was busy life, for sooI
nv father took to his bed, ll-a bed he nevel
LEFT again, for lie gradually sank and died
leaving my poor mother 10 very tndi!ieFen
II was hard blow for Us both, for he haC
been one of the kindest and truest OF men
but while poor mother pIned and waited,
had my hopeful days in view, and from time
to time letters from dear Jack, all so tue and
honest and full of trust in the future that
felt as if could not repine even when greater
troubless fell upon me.
At the end of two years was standing al
the bedside where lay poor mother sinking
fast She had no particular ailment, but had
| literally pinned and wasted away. The bird
had lost its mate for many years, and when
at last she kissed me and said "Good.by," 1t
seemed to me to be in a quiet, restocking
spirit. and she spoke like one looking hope
fully forward to the meeting Of him who had
gone before.
But she could think Of ;ae even then, and
almost the last whispered words were:
"Only eleven months, Grace, and then he
Will be back to fetch you"
Poor mother, she would not nave passed
50 peacefully away If she had known that
which | withheld-namcly, the news that
came to me from our lawyer. FOR, through
the enterprise IN which my fathers savings
had been invested, and which brought US
little income of eco year, | was left penni-
lcss--so poor, in fact, that the furniture OF
the cottage in the little town, 10 which We
had moved when we left the farm, had to be
sold to dciray the funeral expenses.
1t was very hard TO bear, and for month
was terribly depressed but there was that
great hopeful time ever drawing neaT-the
end of the three years, when Jack would
come 10 fetch me to be his wife.
1t was now for the first time that ! remem-
Der feeling particular about my personal ap.
pearance, and | studied ny glass TO see II
Jack would find me looking Careworn and
thin, and my glass told me truly-yes.
But had to be up and doing, and before
another month was over, through the kind.
ness of people whom We had known, | was
placed where could work contentedly for
the bread | must earn till Jack should come
to fetch me away.
1t was at large West End dressmakers
and it was hard work to get used to the hurry
and excitement Of the place, where there
were twelve girls living IN the house, and as
many more came every day.
al lyirI, Of niprna az
tyranny 10 submit TO at first, and suppose
some OF the foolish girls were jealous of me
and my looks, so much 50 that found they
nlcknamed me "The Beauty Poor girls
If they had known how little store set by
my looks they would have behaved at first rs
they did later on.
The first thing that won them TO me was
when Mary Sanders was taken i'll with ter.
rible fever. Nine Granger was tor sending
her away ut once on account OF her business
and the Infection, but the doctor who was
called in, young, impetuous, but very clever
man. told her that It would be at her peril il
she did so, for Mary Sanders life was in dan
ger. SO the poor girl was shutup in her bed
room without soul TO go near her except a
hired nurse, and after the first night this WO.
man stayed away.
No one dared 20 go near the poor girl then,
SO llllluIS uShtu leave W NUS IltI, lpI i
felt no fear of the infection, and il seemed 50
hard for her to be left there alone.
obtained leave and went up stairs, staying
with her TIL she recovcred and from that
day there was always a kind look for me and
IA kiss from every girl in the place.
What was more, oddly enough, perhaps be |
cause was so quiet and restrained, first one
girl and then another came IL make me the
contidant of all her love secrets and ask my
advice
gave it, such as II was, though hcarsorc
myself, for jacks letters to me had suddenly |
ceased We had cOrresponded so regularly; !
but 1t struck me that his last two letters had
been formal and constraincd they were full
If business matters too, and he had limited nj
is being possible that he should not be able
10 keep time about The three years in CJuse.
lucncG Of some contract.
did not think of tins when | first read
hcse letters, for then | had kissed AMI crcd
over them, but when no reply came 10 my
asst, rc,rcad them, and the GOODNESS seemed
But | waited and waited, and then news
came from the country. Jacks father, u
had died suddenly; and | said TO
myself with throbbng heart, as longcd TO
be at his side TO try and comfort him IN his
Poor Jack, he will come home
lOw.'
But he did not come, neither did get any
reply to my last two letters. Another month i
and the three years would he up; and as
sat over some work one spring morning by
he open window, with q bunch Of violcts
hat one of the girls had brought me in
glass, ;hc soft breeze that came floating over
he chimney pots and sooiy roofs waited 10
ne the scent of the humble little blossoms,
md my eyes became full OF tears, for an in.
slant the busy workroom had passed away,
lnd was down home by the riverside listen.
ne 10 dear Jack, Us he asked me to be his
wife
Only a month, only month, my pulses
seemed to beat; and as il happened, we were ,
busy upon large wedding order, and was
stitching away at the white skirt intended
.or the bride.
| tried so hard to bear it, but could not
he rush of feelings was too great. Another
month and he was 20 have fetched me 10 hc
ais wife, and had not had an answer 10 my 1