The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-05-03

his resources. .-.-f -.-.
Every one knew that Stephen was
right, and at first he found many sup
porters. But it was Aske's policy to
wear out Thirske, and as month after
month and year after year went on,
and Stephen grew poorer and poorer,
and more desperate and unreasonable,
even his friends gladly seized the pre-.
text of his imprudence to desert him.
At the end of four years he was
ruined, and the presence of the mans
wife who had ruined HIM, i'm his house,
was no peculiar comfort. One night
a strange longing for his son came
over him he was in SO much trouble
that he could not put away his ankle
ties even to soo,he Lydia, and leaving
her and Ada to find what comfort they
could in each other, he went TO seek
Mary Hutton. ..-es b r.e
She still lived in quiet street OF
small houses in the lower part Of the
town, and when she answered his re-
quest to speak to her, he was not as
tonished at Antony's love. But it an.
gercd him nevertheless and though
it was always hard for Stephen to be
cross 10 beautiful woman, he said,
sharply: 4s....
'Whcre is my son, lass 2
In New York, SIR
'What is he doing there 2
Making home for me and my faith
er, SIR
write and bid him come to his own
father. You may tell Pm q ruined
mana ruined man, lass. You'll make
nought by marrying Antony Thirske
now,> Mary
Il am verv sorry for you, Mr.. Thirsks.
You may believe me or not; and /
will write and tell Antony what you
say
But before Anthony could return
things had come to crisis with Steph-
en- Thirske. lie had won his case
and been ruined in the winning of it.
He was a complete bankrupt, and mill
and house went under the sherif's
hammer. There may be places where
three failures and fire make mans
fortune but it is not in Yorkshire.
Even the personal property of the un-
fortunate bankrupt was sold, aud the
ruined family were thankful to accept
in the meantime the shelter Of the gov
erness's little home.
Now, however, that Stephen had
met the worst and faced 1t, all his
pluck returned. lie easily got posi-
ton in friends factory, and began to
slowly gather around him again the
comforts of q much humber home. A
much happier one, though: for these
terrible changes had at length reversed
the natural order of things. When
Stephen was utterly bowed down,
suddenly Lydia Thirske rose up, and
took her true and natural position as
comforter and helpmate. 1t almost
most consoled the weary husband for
all his losses to have found at last his
true wife.
Antony also had written loving and
hopeful letters; and it was likely that
he would be able to come for Mary
the next summer. They were all sor'
ry now to think of parting from her.
for she had been so helpful and cheer.
full in these dark daye, that it was hard
to imagine the cottage without her.
Adversely has many learned disci.
Piles, and Ada had not been to its
school. without benefit. 1t was impos.
sible for her not to reproach herself
with her fathers ruin, and though nc
one else had done it, the voice of So
ciety universally condemned her. She
remembered, too, that however re-
yeugefull and hateful Aske had been
she herself had done her best to cal
forth those quallties-he had at frs
tried to very patient and kind to her.
One morning as she was sitting sew
ing to some such bitter thoughts Al
these, she lifted q paper and read thi'
paragraph:
On Monday last, Aske, of Ask,
hall, while hunting with the TowtoI
hounds, was thrown, and, it is feared
fatally injured
She sat still thinking a few minutes
and then, without q word to any on,
but Mary Hutton, left the house. Two
hours afterwards she was in Ask,
Hall, helping to soothe the rawlings o
it's dclirious master. Calmly but res
olutely she took her place, aud in tn,
long, dreary weeks of watching ani
darkness that followed learnt many
wholesome lesson.
Her great fear now was that the in
Jury to the brain was permanent, ant
that her husband would never know
her long enough to pardon her. Blu
one night,as she stood looking tender
ly at the pale, shrunken face. he slow
ly opened his eyes and said in n whis
per:
'Ada?'
George, dear George l. and the kis
, that sealed her forgiveness was the re
, marriage of their hearts and lives.
But Aske was many months help
: less inyalid and it was almost yea
= afterwards that Ada was going gentl
! about the room. packing things for
I Journey with him to the sunny skie
3 of Italy. He watched her some time
| and then said: -G
ada. may never come back fee
| very weak. I wonder if your fathe
3 would see me before go
L The next morning Stephen ThirsE