The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1881-05-14

hope ahead. Life was time to be filled
with something SO that she might not
think of herself. John was always kind,
but she got so wearied of his talk of
| stock and crops, and said to herself:
81 must work harder, plan and fuss
i and hustle about as other women do,
SO that l may forget and grow like
! john"
Two years went by. A baby slept
/ in the cradle, and Martha-nobody
called her Matte but Paul-sat rock
| ing with her foot as she knitted blue
WOODEN stocking for the baby's father.
| There was knock at the half-open
door,
"Will you be kind enough to direct
me the nearest way to the village ?"
said voice, and stranger stepped in.
She rose to give him the required
direction when he came quickly for
ward.
"Paul p
"Mattie -
His face lighted up and he reached
out his arms. With Il surprised, pain
full look, she drew back.
"Mr. Gardner, this is q most unex-
pected meeting"
"Mr. Gardner!" he repeated; "Mat-
tie, what do you mean?"
ssDon't call me Matte, If you please,
she replied, with dignity. My name IS
Phillips"
"Phillips" he echoed. care you
married?"
"These are strange words from you,
Paul Gardner; did you think | was
waiting all this time for another
woman's husband ?-that | was keeping
my faith with one who played false sc
soon?"
"Played you false! / am come as
promised you. Two years are butpassed
and | am here to claim you. Why dC
YOU greet me thus? Are you indec(
married, Matte Gray?"
She was trembling like an aspen leaf
For an answer she pointed to the cradle
He came and stood before her with whit
face and folded arms.
"Tell me why you did this Dldn
you love me well enough to wait 10
me ?"
She went and unlocked drawer an
took out "a newspaper. Unfolding 1t ali
finding the place, she pointed to 1t wit
her finger and lac read the marrlag
notice.
"What of this?" he asked, as he me
her reproachful look. ooh, Matte
you thought it meant me. 1T IS my COZ
sin. / am not married nor III love wit
any one but you.
s'Are you telling me the truth = 81
asked in an eager, husky whisper.
And then, as he replied cit IS true
she gave a low groan and sank into
chair
ooh, Paul, forgive me! l didn't kno
th YOU had cousin by the same name.
I'm ought not to have doubted you, b
an twas there in black and white-aud
=. n this man, my husband, came, and ma
of ried him.
md With bitter tears she told him how
nat all happened. With clenched hands
walked to and fro, then stopped bes1
m. the cradle and bent over the sleepll
# a child.
re- Then ne turned, and kneelin8 befo
her, he said in n low voice:
hat 81 forgive you, Matte; be as hap
on as you can.
Will He took both her hands Ill his a
vas looked steadily, lovingly into her fa'
rht His lips twitched cOnvulsIvely.
81 have no right hcre-1ou are
re other man s wife. Goodbye. Godbl'
lad you!'
tier And she went down on her knees
the side her sleeping baby and prayed
had strength. They never saw one anotl
and again.
e to Seventy years old! Her stalwart SC
and bright-eyed daughters remember
nor as a loving and devoted mother;
yer gray haired husband as a most faith
we. wife,
ppv "Never was woman mQye patti
to and kind, and as good a housewife
the ever was" he said, as he brushed
md back of his old brown hand across
was ewes while looking down on the peace
the face.
art; And not one OF them ever knew OF
mn weary heart and broken hope that
died i'll her breast, nor ever dreamed
> he the sad load she had borne through J