Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1883-05-25


eyed little daughter, if could only
see you, but my wicked life deserves
no better death than this
Then in the weak voice, growing
rapidly weaker, he asked.
Tom, can there be pardon for such
lis I?'
God is very merciful," answered
Tom bending low over the dying man:
"trust all to Him.
The day broke, cold and gray, and
its dull light fell on the handsome
dead face from which the spirit had
fled-gone to meet its Maker to an
swer,d for the deeds done III the flesh.
He was sorry at the last. W ho shall
say that forgiveness was denied hlm
With the morning sun, came a
woman fresh from her midnight reyels
IN the crowded ballroom. The level
sun beams, slanting across the tall
roofs, revealed with CHASTITY destlnct-
ness. the rouge and cosmetics with
which art vaInly tries to cover the
ravages of age and dissipation. Very
stately and coldly she bent over and
touched with her the dead lips Of the
man who had been her husband. All
wnen had those lips net before:
Then she left to array herself in the
GeCeitful sabes which Fashion de-
manced, aud come again to follow the
costly casket with lis poor contents, to
the fashionable cemetery and watch
the placing, over the new made grave
Of the marble slab, Tearing its lying
inscription Of the dead man virtues.
Fashion demanded that also, and
she was Fashions slave. That was
all. Then she went back to her old
life with her loves and her favorites.
Let her 60, who cares TO follow her :
Not | surely.
Low, weary with his mid night
siglls over the dying ard dead man,
went in the early dawning to the house
where he would find Rita. Tenderly,
sorrowfully he said as she greeted him :
Rita. | have inst come from Will
Bavne, he is dead
\ frightened harrorfed look came
10 her face as she asked despairinglv.
80 Tom, surely" but he OWNED
her meaning and answered quickly.
No. Rita. II was Gods hand that
dealt the blow, was with him to
sooth and comfort him all | could.
Nv remembrance Of him Will have
more Of pity in it Il AN of anger"
She buried her rale face in her
hands, sobbing violently. The dead
man, lying there in the great city, had
dore her the gF.a attest wrong man
could do a woman. but she loved him
aud that covered all.
After awhile she said between her
sobs. Tom there was 10 provision
made fer Floy and ne. What are We
to do: FIR myself do not care. for
the disease which killed my mother is
fast killing me; but | am greatly con.
cerned for my daughter
"llave no ureaslness about that,
replied Tom. 1.-THE income which was
your mothers and is now yours, has
accumulated in my hands and is now
sufficient for all your wants. You
will live on here as usual if you wish
to, will attend 10 it all. Do not lei
that trouble you.
Rita vas right, and ere the autumn
grew into winter, rapid consumption
had so reduced her that her death was
daily expected.
One evening Tom vas hastily sum.
moucd to her ted side. A violent
hemorrhag, had SO prostration hel
that the doctor said she could not rally
from IT, When at ter request they
had been left alone she said to Tom il
a feeble voice.
at will soon be over now. ard thu
/ only comfort | have in my last hours
/ is that | can leave my daughter in tn,
care Of 60 good a friend as You have
/ been.
Tom, care for her and watch owe
her as you would were she your own
Guard her from the temptations tina
assailed her mother, and Q, Tom
promise me, by my girlish innocence
by Your boyish love which once Wa
mine, that You will keep from her tn
story Of her mothers sin and shame
| Let her, at least, ever think Of me a
something pure and holy, and ncve
let her curse her mothers memory 70
the daughters shame"
Rita, answered Tom, "by all the s,
sacred things, | promise that so ia
as in me lay tLeIower, | will faithful,
keep this sacred trust Desolate
friendlcss. ohjectless has been my llf
since my tist great disappointment
but the rearing and guarding of thi
sweet child shall be the one object 0
my future life BE content, | will
ever be her friend
Rita looked the thanks she was al
most too weak to utter, then alte
awhile she said:
"Iom, save my one great sin, hav
tried to DO what was right surely Their
will be forgiveness for that"
Eyes, Rita" answered Tom, $50
did not our Saviour say when on earth
Woman, thy sins are forgiven. G.
and sin no more:' He is as mercifu
now as then Would you like to see
minister:
mo, Tom,' she said, "if my lessee
Saviour's redeeming blood, and tn,
Heavenly Fathers boundless mel c,
will not save NE, the church's PRAYER
will avail me nothing. Just as | am
| | will 90 to Him, He knows how
have suffered and repented, | am no
afraid to meet Him."
a few days after this Rita passe,
gently away. She had erred and re
pented. Let those without sin cas-
the first stone at her.
"Wilson," said Tom Harrison. t
bis friend as he was returning flor
the funeral of poor Rita. "a youn
girl has been left in my charge by he
dead mother. Will your wife kindl
tal % caro- of hpr upfil I oon M