Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-09-03
The Wife's Appeal.

/ The wise people-thcse who manac,
their neighbor's affairs in theory much bet
ter than they DO their own in Practice
shook their heads in solemn conclave wheI
Mr.. HCpworth married the second time
but an added shade of venom was in their
councils when the village paper noticed, in
a fiowery paragraph, the birth Of a son anJ
heir at the great house.
Poor Clarice," they said. '.has Nc
chance now. 1t was bad enough wher
Hcpwo-th married chit of a girl who. ot
course, cared for nothing hut his money
but now there is 4 son. there is no hope fol
Clarice~
\ young, fair woman, herself in tn,
very spring-time of life, yet having already
taken the holy ties OF wife and mother into
her pure heart. knelt in one of the room.
of the great house-knelt to bring her
beautiful face nearer to the cradle pillow
upon which rested the soft cheek of her
baby boy.
The child Of wealthy parents, she had
married the man she loved and who loved
her, and had gone from one home Of luxury
to preside over another.
She was very beautiful, and many had
thought it great sacrifice when she mar
ried a man as old rs her own father. Vet in
her sweet humility she only prayed to 5e
worthy Of the love bestowed upon her.
\ low knock at the door aroused her.
and rising to her feet she answered the
summons.
Upon the threshold stood a woman, a few
wears older than herself, who led by the
hand a handsome boy who had seen two
summers only.
The woman was poorly dressed. in a
shabby mourning suit, but the child wore
dainty white garments
Ibid you wish to see me? Mrs Hep
worth asked, smiling upon the child.
May | come in: was the woman 5
question in return.
Certainly. You look tired
The stranger accepted char and looked
sadly around the room.
Everything is altered, she said in a
nlournful voice. .Perhaps | had better
STAYED away. Mrs. HepwOrth, You have
heard Of Clarice NandersOn
Il have not, ," was the reply i am
almost , stranger here. We have been
travelling ever since I was married until, a
few months ago
And YOU never heard Of me! said
the stranger. the tears rising in her eyes.
..Then my er.and here is indeed hopeless.
If. in his new happiness as your husband,
my father never even spoke my name it Is
useless to hope he will forgive me-
Your father: Mr.. Hepworth your
father! He told me he had lost his only
daughter"
=. Not that / WAS dead; was lost to
him by my own disobedience. You love
my father!"
Just a smile, proud, happy and tender
answered her.
.'Then you will understand me, said
Clarice. "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 Lucier
Nanderson, assuring me that he was a for
tune hunter, a gambler, and unworthy o
NV love. | would not believe this. IL
me he was the nohlest and best OF men
and for him ! left all to fly secretly iron
home and father. | have been bitterly
punished. When the letter imploring Tor
rivcness was returned to me by my father
with a few brief words casting ne iron
his heart and love. my husband prove'
what had so fondly hoped was false. III
had married the only child and presume'
beiress of Hepworth, the millionaire, ant
found himself burdened with pennies
wife. spare You the history OF the lou
wears OF married misery that followed
Then NV husband and eldest child died o
contagious fever. Three months later, o.
the very day this boy was born, l heard 0
my fathers marriage | returned here
Lopinr for pardon, but the house was shu
up. When you came, determined
make one more effort for forgiveness, hop
ING YOU would plead for me. Think 1t b
was an outcast from his fathers love, soi
rowing and penitent, and begging of
stranger the gift of his birthright
..If nay prayer will keep you her, .
Clarice, You shall not leave your fa'''ef'
house again. Mr.. Hepworth is IN the
brarv. and viii speak TO him al once
She waited Il moment to bathe the trace
Of tears from her face, and came asa'i
smiling. to the anxious group.
.Cheer up, Clarice, she said pra'eiS
..what is your little boys name
"stephen. 1t was the name oi ID
brother who died. My first child w
called after my father.
"Stephen, said Mrs. Hepworth' opei
;ng her arms. .'come here, darling an
kiss your grandmother
The child sprang at cnce to the ioVe.
grandmother, kissing her again and ashil