The Osceola times., 1879-05-17

Nf'- STU scS AZ N"tio is az luing Cau
do or her.
Poor Il 'saie Aston was not left to
feel any lack OF friends in her worse than
widowhood Few who knew her failed
10 offer sympathy and help. There
were none who didn't censure Louis Al-
ston'S hsartless conduct. 1t was ramem-
bered how tender and true she had been
to him from the day he brought her TO
his home in her girlish loveliness, how
careful and fond and he had not always
been loyal to her, now said the wstchiul
world yet 'or her sake gossip whispered
10 her .yota' les the rumors that Louis
A'ston's life had not been blsmeless, for
the iorsaken wife could not, even now.
hear word spoken against him.
would never trouble my head about
him again." said one; 81 would stop
mourning, aud let him go"
! would ges divorce, and marry
spain," said another.
He was scamp, any way. and she
has plenty OF money snd that dear little
boy let" chimed third.
But to her they spoke gently always
0. her ioss reveIently, a. OF the dead, for
she wss beloved by all.
She stayed in the home where he had
left her. The roses bloomed by the
doorway, almost unnoticed; the vines
struggled unframed over the porch the
garden lay neglected the house was
quiet always, and the only happy thing
about ii was bsby Lou, who ate and slept
and laughed and grew cheeriy enough,
yet seemed to wonder sometimes why
mamma, wept whena hslfforgotten face
crossing his intsntile mind, he called tor
"Papal'
so the summer passed, and autumn,
with its soitened sunshine, dying beauty
and weird melodies came, rounding the
year since Louis Aston left his home.
A year The pale woman, standing
where he had kissed his pretty wi e
good by, looking so sadly unlike her
former sell asked her aching heart how
many long, long years like this ere lies
hold must be looaed from earth, and the
years to come look, d dresry indeed.
Once during the winter that followed
came too ofliciOus friend, who bade her
be CON iorted.
have been where Louis was" said
he, "and learned all about the girl he
went away with. She issilly, hesrtless
creature, and people said there was no
doubt ,he would leave Mr.. Aston if his
health or money should fail. 1t will be
strange II he isn't poor man before
many years 60 by, for he has become
very reckless with his property, and en-
lie will see how much his new love cares
for him. He will receive his due re-
ward, and you will be revenged, never
fear"
81 do not crave revenge" WAS the
only reply Of the true,hearted wife, and
in the night watches she sobbed on her
wskeul pillow, "God have pity for
him, wherever he isW
By and by the child sickened, and for
a time the mother forgot all else.
It's only a cold,' the good neighbors
ssid "he'll be well In day or two"
But the little one grew no better. There
was a brief, sharp struggle with the
Destroyer, then the baby hands fell help
less down, and the sunny lie was
yielded.
She was slone-poor Rosslie Aston
with only that sweet dead face and
tiny, cold form, and that beautiful pic.
tured face OF the absent oue--Only these
lett OF her treasures. Yet not alone, for
nearer 10 the torn heart came the pres
once Of the iDfnite sympathy and love
over the weary, impatient spirit fell
something OF the peace of that land
wherein her babe was safe.
It's wonderful how che bears her
trouble" said the doctors wife across
the way "such irsil little creature,
too"
Yes; m afraid sometimes she'll not
be long with us, though" replied the
uext>tOer neighbOr. "She does rot say
any thing about Mr.. Aston, but l doubt
II there's ever a moment when he's cut
of her mind"
You don't think she would forgive
him il he should come back2 She has
too much spirit for that.
She has spirit enough, to be sure,
bat hers is the true spirit. She has the
nobility that forgives the deepest wrongs
She's worth q dozen like Lou Aston,
any day."
Yes, he wrote the truth, surely, when
he said he was not worthy OF her"
"But believe his desertion will grieve
her life away. She Is no more like the
pretty rosy girl he brought here than a
white violet is like rose," and the ten.
der-hesrted woman wiped her spectscles
to take look over at the tasteful dwell
ing OF the lonely sister-womsn, for whom
her kind heart ached daily
Poor, lonesome childp she sighed
"If Lou Aston thinks he has found a
better love than hers, he is mistaken"
There was never an hour OF wskeful.
ness in which sh did not remember him.
Her soul never lost its longing ior him.
And the springtime coming again with
It's beauty and music, dropped none OF
the oldtime life and joy for her fr, m its
periumed wings as 1t passed, for the
SHOW of chill despair still lay over that
year,Old grave, where her hearts iondest
trust hsd been laid and on the turf over
that li.tle mound in the village cemetery,
so precious to her, the grass had never
been green.
81 must go away from here" she
thought, the summer deepened. Il
must ind work TO do. | am wasting
time and losing energies that might b.
OF use 10 others, | must go away AMI
sse if the wotld has any place for me-"
Bat one day there came to her door
weird old C creature, who called. herself a
fortune. teller --one OF those strange
women who gain a livelihood by going
about the country begging the privilege
Of telling fortune" for quarter
Plying The old woman, Mrs. Aston
gave her q seat inside the door. The
wandering eyes fell on the handsome
nsinted likenass OF louis ALTON that