The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-11-29
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THE WIFE'S APPEAL.


their neighbors affairs in theory much
better than they do their own in practice
shook their heads in solemn eonclave
when Mr.. Hepworth married the second
time; but an added shade Of venom was
in their councils when the village paper
noticed, in howery paragraph, the birth
of son and heir at the great house.
"Poor Clarice," they said, "has no
chance now. 1t was bad enough when
Hepworlh married a chit Of girl who, Of
course, cared for nothing but his money;
but now there is son, there is no hope
for Clarice."
A young, fair woman, herself in tho
very spring-time of life, yet having already
taken the holy ties Of wife aud mother into
her pure heart, knclt in one Of the rooms
Of the great house--knelt to bring her
beautiful face nearer the cradle pillow upon
which rested the soft check Of her baby
boy.
The child of wealthy parents, she had
married the man she loved and who loved
her, aud had gone from one home of lux.
ufI 10 pTcslue over auOtucT.
She was very beautiful, and many had
thought it great sacrifice when she mar
ried man as old as her own father, yet
in her sweet humility she only prayed to
be worthy Of the love bestowed upon her.
A low knock at the door aroused her,
and rising to her feet she answered the
summons.
Upon the threshold stood woman, q
few years older than herself, who led by
the hand handsome boy who had seen
two summers only.
The woman was poorly dressed, in q
shabby mourning suit, but the child wore
dainty white garments.
"Did you wish to see me2" Mrs. Hep.
worth asked. smiling upon the child.
"May | come In 2" was the woman $
question in return.
Certainly. You look tired"
The stranger accepted chair and looked
sadly around the room.
Everything is altered" she said in a
mouruful voice. perhaps had better
stayed away. Mrs. Hepworth, you have
heard Of Clarice MandeFson 2"
II have not, was the reply. II am
almost a stranger here. We have been
travelling ever since | was married, until
few months age"
"And you never heard Of me?" said
the stranger, the tears rising in her eyes.
"Thcn my errand here is indeed hopeless.
II, in his new happiness as your husband,
my father never even spoke my name, il
is useless to hope he win forgive me"
"Your iather2 Mr.. Hepworth your
father? He told NC be had lost his only
daughter"
"Not that | was dead; | was lost "a
him by my own disobedience. You love
my fatherY'
Just smile, proud, happy and tender,
answered her.
"Then you will understand me-" said
Clariee, "when tell you loved my hus.
band better than father, home or duty
Father would not hear Of our marriage
and sternly forbade me to speak to Lucien
Manderson, assuring me that he was for
tune hunter, gambler, aud unworthy OF
my love. Iwould not believe this. To
me he was the noblcst and best of men,
and for him / left all to ay secretly from
home and father. have been bitterly
punished. When the letter imploring
forgiveness was returned to me by my "a
thcr, with few brief words casting me
from his heart and love, my husband
proved what had SO fondly hoped was
false. He had married the only child and
presumed heiress of Hepworth, the million
aire, aud found himself burdened with q
penniless wife. Isparo you the history ol
four years Of married misery that followed
Then my husband and eldest child died Of
contagious fever. Three months later, on
the very day this boy was born, | heard Of
my fathers marriage. | returned here
hoping for pardon, but the house was shut
up. When you came, j determined to
make one more effort for forgiveness, hop.
ing you would plead for me. Think il he
was an outcast from his fathers love, sor.
rowing and penitent, and begging Of a
stranger the gift Of his birthright |"
"lf my prayer will keep you here, Clar.
ice, you shall not leave your fathers house
again. Mr.. Hepworth is in the library,
and | will speak to him ut once.
She waited moment to bathe the traces
Of tears from her face, and came again
smiling, to the anxious group.
"Chcer up, Clarice, she said brayely;
"what is your little boys name ?"
"Stephen. 1t was the name Of INV
brother who died My first child was
called after my father"
"Stephen," said Mrs. Hepworth, open.
ing her arms, "come here darling and kiss
your grandmother"
Tho child sprang at once to the lovely
grandmother, kissing her again aud again
Putting him into his mothers arms the
young wife lifted her own baby from its
cradle and left the room.
In the darkly. furnished library, Mr.
Hepworth was leaning back in bis arm
chair.
A light step aroused him from his rev
erie and his wife stood before him.
Over her morning dress Of delicate
rose color, that suited well her fresh young
beauty, fell the long white robes Of The
infant she carried Wilh all the pride oI
motherhood.
Her husband opened bis arms to cares
both, and laughed as he said:
"0h, these molhers Do you suppose
madame, that babies arc admitted into ths
sanctums of legal gentlemen ?"