The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-06-30

a refusal rs that with anything but kind
ness would be cruel. Well, was just
that. Rising from his knee said:
"You need not trouble about me in the
future. l dare say can get along with
nothing. But this know-1 wish had
never left my father, for he provided for
me-"
1 see that you look Mortified, Mile,
and I do not wonder. l was wicked, but
1 was punished, and shown, too, what
danger I was in from lack of self-govern
ment
Robert made no reply to my cruel re-
mark. but in few moments he left the
room. and soon 1 heard him leave the
house. 1t was then about o'clock, and,
as YOU know. at that hour in the winter
it is nearly dark. 1 sat by the stove q
long time after Robert went out, think
ing. Ny angry fit passed off. and in
stead rose before me the picture of MY
own pretty home; everything around me
to make inc comfortable and happy, and
then, too, the greatest earthly blessing,
good, kind husband. Then came feel
ing of sorrow for my recent unkind
words, and was just on the point OF 60
ing to look for Robert when my nearest
neighbor, Mrs. Estes, called. light
ed lamp, and we seated ourselves for
friendly chat, listening every moment
for my husbands step. felt i'll at ease,
and suppose I manifested my mental
condition, for soon Mrs. Estes said to
me:
"Where is Mr.. King?"
answered:
HE went out few moments ago.
But, upon glancing up at the clock,
saw the hour hand pointed TO six! be had
been gone from the house two hours!
Another half hour passed. Mrs. Estes
said:
"Your husband must have called on
one of the neighbors."
Such an explanation did not satisfy me,
for Robert had never so left me before.
Suddenly his words came to me: eff you
ever say you are sorry that you married
me, could not forgive it." My heart
almost ceased to perform its office.
heard Mrs. Estes voice as one afar OFT;
for an instant realized nothing but the
fact that my husband had been true to
his word-he had left me!
The agony expressed in my face alarm
ed my friend, and she said:
"What is the matter, Mrs. King?
What is it?'
Instantly, without knowing what did
or said, told her of my recent unklnd
words to my husband, of his former re-
mark, of his long absence, and OF my be-
lief that he had gone. My friend en-
deayo1ed to soothe me; she told me that
he would soon be back-she knew he
would. Her words helped me but for
few moments, and quickly rising said:
"Mrs, Estes, must see If can find
Mr.. KING. | cannot live and know where
he is"
Then I started for the barn, calling:
"Robert, where are your
Nothing but the winter wind answered
me. 1 then searched all the out-build-
ings, and when found my husband in
none, felt in some way relieved, Tor
nameless fear had been haunting me.
Still I was in an agony of mind. Fran
tically l ran through the fields near
the house. stepping every now and then
into snow-drift and falling headlong,
but up in minute, and still on, on, call
ing:
"Robert, Robert dear, please answer
mel"
Mrs. Estes, thoroughly alarmed at my
condition. endeavored to keep beside me,
and finally induced me to go back to the
house. Upon entering it, fell upon my
knees and cried:
"Oh. Father in heaven, send my dar-
ling back to mel Oh, forgive me, and l
will henceforth be led by Thee and fol.
low Thy teachings of gentleness and
lovel''
Rising again started out, for I seemed
to smother in the house. l walked rapid
ly some way down the road, the snow
sounding crisp and cold under my feet.
Suddenly stopped and called:
"Robert!'
Just ahead heard some one answer.
looked eagerly forward but saw no one.
called again as l walked onward, and
had gone but few steps farther when,
on peering ahead, saw walking toward
me my husband. l gave one cry,
bounded forward and in moment was
in his arms.
The next thing of which / was con-
scious was being In my own home, my
husbands lace bending over me, while
he and Mrs. Estes were working to re-
store circulation. The cOld-for, in my
frenzy, / was unprotected by any out
side garlnent-and the excitement of the
evening, were, however, too much for
me, and on that evening was commenced
an illness which lasted for five weeks.