The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-07-17

lie leaves me this to console me for his
absence. Oh, Ernest, come homo again.
and lll wear calico and n sun-bonnet 10
church before III tease you for finery
again r.
II was not an easy task to 60 to dinner
and meet Aunt Cordelin, but il must be
done
II was no new thing for that worthy
spinster TO see Mya in tears when Ernest
was away on business; so she only express
cd desire to see "any man alive she d
cry for, and said no more about the little
wifes red eyes.
The days passed very wcarily.
Aunt Cofdelia preached only sermons
to Myra about extravagance aud various
other feminine weaknesses, till the poor
little woman wished she was as homely
and ill.clad as the tormentor herself.
"You never see me with such dress in
the house as that, the spinster would say,
with a eomplacent glance at her dyed
skirts.
~ buy my clothes to wear Myra re-
torted. "lf | had as much money as you,
Aunt Cordelia, I'd be ashamed to 90 about
the house in such dresses.
And the spinster would shake her head
and groau, audibly plying 'poor dear
Ernest
"You never sec me, was ever her open
ing address
And Myra grew to hate the words, in
the long months Of her enforced compan.
iouship.
For Ernest did not return.
Spring, summer, autumn passed away
and December was opening, yet still he
did not come.
Every month a formal letter reached
Myra, inclosing check for her expenses
Of such liberal value as proved Ernest was
making money; but each one informed her
that her husband was just leaving the place
from which he wrote, aud made no men
ton Of his next destination.
Hoart-siek, penitent, aud oh 80 lonely,
the little wife spent only what was neces-
sary for the house, aud fairly loathed the
sight Of the money that was accumuatiug
in her hands
Letter after letter she wrote and de-
stroyed not knowing where TO direct them.
She was growing so pale and worn, so
quiet aud subdued, that Aunt Cordelia's
most hateful speeches went often uuan-
sWered
She was sitting in the dIawing-room
one cold December morning, when Mr..
Agnew, Ernests employer, came in,
"I'm sorry 10 disturb you, Mrs. Math-
or, he said; "but wish to inquire il you
have heard from Ernest this week"
=" Not since the 6rst, she replied
lie wrote to US on the fifth that he
would remain in Cumberland until the first
of the year, aud was to send some papers
on the seventh. These have not come,
and we are embarrassed for want Of them.
/ telegraphed yesterday, but have no reply.
However, if you have not heard be is in,
he is probably better"
"IllW she fallered
"Well, judged from his last that he
had not fully recovered from the fever he
had, although he resumed business. If
you hear to-day, will you be kind enough
to send us word Z"
Certainly Myra managed to gasp, in
a choked voice; and Mr.. Agnew left
"lll A fever Sick at a hotel, and
she not near Ernest, her Ernest |"
All the love in the little woman's heart
rose in protest. She astonished Aunt
Cordelia BY dashiDg into the ladys room,
crying
take care of the house I'm going to
Cumberland T. and dashed out again as
abruptly.
The trunk was packed.
Myra never knew what went into IT,
She hugged her hoard of money.
Carefully she put it in the bosom of her
dress.
She cried aud laughed, aud acted gen.
ernlly like luuatic.
The afternoon found her seated in an
express train, rushing TO Ernest as fast as
steam could carry her.
la a wide pleasant room, Ernest Mather
lay upon his bed dangerously ILL.,
He had been for months trying 10 quiet
his sick, reckless heart by oyerworking
his body, keeping such business hours,
such stress and labor in his work, that
the firm at home never ceased eongratu.
lating themselves upon their choice Of
traveller.
lie made money fast, supplying Myra
with generous hand, and yet saving con-
siderable.
For what2
Bitterly he thought that when he was
a very rich man he would 60 home again
and try to make Myra contented.
lle tried TO fancy he had ceased to love
her; but the uuccasing craving Of his heart
for the sight Of her face and the sound Of
her voice contradicted this.
Work, work, work
That was the medicine for his mental
pain, till tho overweight brain gave way,
the oyertasked body succumbed, and he
lay i'll with fever for two weeks.
Up again before his strength was half
and now the relapse had pros
trated him, and he lay suffering and ap-
parently dying, too i'll to send for Myra,
too i'll to give directions, too i'll to do any
more than lie helpless at the mercy of
strangers
The long night was passing, aud cold,
gray dawn announced another wintry day,
when q vehicle drove up to the door Of the
hotel, aud in dim, confused way Ernest
heard the hustle Of the newly-arrived trav.
elers.
He was vaguely wondering if any friend
would come to him, when the door Of the
room opened very softly, and he heard the
waiter say
"Mr. Mather is here"
A soft little rustic followed, aud then
two cold hands fell upon his forehead,
tears and kisses followed, aud Myra was
sobbing.
"0h, Ernest darling thank God have
found you Oh, dear, forgive mel
He was took sick to talk much; but he
made his wife fully understand his bust
ness, and sank OF to sleep in the sweet
consciousness that love had come to him,
a nurse and comforter.
1t was long, tedious illness, but in the
years that followed it, Ernest aud Myra
e. q