The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-10-18
THAT TERRIBLE SCAR.


Midnight had tolled its solemn chime,
yet still the weary watcher sat beside
the hearthstone plying her busy needle.
Her eyes we're dim and sunken, her
cheeks thin and pale, her lips pinched
and purple, and her slender fingers 30
shrivelled with the ICY chill that was
fast palsying her that the plain gold
ring on her wedding finger and the
thimble that che held were ever now and
then dropping into her lap. Her very
delicate form was shivering under
the heavy shawl that she had thrown
about her shoulders, and she looked Of.
ten with a wistful glance at the little
basket of fuel that stood beside the fire
place.
Another hour passed aud the clock
struck one.
HE must be here soon," whis-
pered she, in frightened tone. II will
lay aside my work and make things as
cheerful as can"
So she brushed the ashes from the
hearth, drew the Goals together, threw
on them handful OF the carefully saved
fuel and famed the faint flame till it
famed high in the chimney. Then she
looked about the room to see if aught
could be mended; but the few articles it
held were in their wonted places, and
everything as neat as the hands of
love could make it. An armchair was
drawn from corner close to the crack
ling fire, the dressing gown that hung
rupon it spread out anew and o pair of
slippers were upon the fender. The
lamp had been trimmed afresh. the table
busted, and beside it was placed knife
almost as bright as though the blade had
been silver instead of steel.
II have done the best can," said the
pale watcher, as again she sank into her
chair. ooh, il were sure of only one
kind word,' she continued. "Rarkr'
She started up aud listened. cit is he
and how he bangs the gate! 1 shall
have fearful time with him."
She hastened to the front door and
gently opened it.
A man staggered in, and reeling this
way and that, reached finally the room
his gentle wife had made SO bright and
cheerful. But what was her reward? A
If vn army of fiends had spoken with one
voice. He cursed the niggardly fire,
though to make that she and her chill
uEou uoO Ocou u0 iIoZcu ali uuy no
swore at the patched dressing gown.
she had planned it; he rsved at the
bread and meat, though her lean hands
had earned them both. And when angel.
like and woman-like, too, she gave him
. smile for every frown, an endearing
epithet for every oath, and would have
wound her arms about him to win him
IL L. 49, l.
his heavy hand and dealt her . pow
erful blow; aye, he struck her till every
nerve quivered with anguish, and she,
his wife and the mother of his beaute-
Gus children! And now, when she lay
PROSTATE before him, he raised himself
to kick her from thence. A slight young
hand pushed off the booted foot even as
it was falling on the trembling woman,
and.a voice agonized in its tones, ex-
claimed:
"Forbear, my father. for though your
wife, che is yet my mother. and l will
save her from your rageT'
The eyes of the drunkard quailed o
moment before the upturned gaze of his
first born, SO mournfully holy was the
look that beamed from his fearful face /;
then fendish glare burned In his own,
and exclaiming:
'You, too!-must level my house
hold ere can and peace?" he seized the
glistenins knife and struck bis child.
"Will he live?" mourned the poor
mother to tho surgeon, when he had
bandaged the boys head. "He is very
pale aud weak?"
1T il . ghastly and dangerous wound, ("
said the surgeon; "oDly the eighth OF an
inch deeper and il would have been
fatal-yet with care he might survive. "
Mother, there was pathos in the
tone that drew her eyes earnestly 10 the
/ speaker, STRIPPING Of about II years
smother, am going away"
, "Awayl-and where! Ernest?" abe in
Quired.
II cannot say" he replied; "0od
must direct my steps-but 60 from here
must. The curse Of the drunkard's