The Delaware ledger., 1883-08-25

The mans hand with the knife fell to
his side.
His boy, Herbert, is i'll and DYING"
repeated, Sand he calls for his father;
and the doctor says If he does not see
him he cannot possibly live"
shall never forget the look of agony |
that came in the place of the anger to |
the dark face of Herbert's father.
"My boy dying, and 1 here ~
He had been beside himself with
anger, but the shock of my words sober
ed him, and taking my hand he led me
from the place. Once out in the street
l tried to leave him, but he held me
tightly.
eff my boy lives it will be you who
saved him, y he said "you shall come
with me-"
Such pathetic scene it was when
the mother, hearing footsteps, came to
the door and saw her husband. can
not think of it now without tears.
A couple of homs later the doctor
declared the danger past the boy had
seen his father, and his delirium
quieted, had sunk into slumber.
So it was that 1, Polite Evans, saved
two lives.
Mr.. st. John, true to his word, never
from that time neglected his family /;
and Herbert grew and thrived from his
childhood (which they told me had al
ways been delicatel into as stalwart a
lad as ever gladdened a parents heart.
Twelve years have passed since then,
! and am Polite Evans no longer. But
will not anticipate.
That night was the turning point of
my life.
"You must stay with us, my child "
Mrs. st. John said. "Henceforth your
!, home is in this house, which but fol
v you would be desolate indeed | can
d never repay to you the benefits you have
|, given to me, but all that is in my power
a | shall do. Your real name is Mary,
IS you tell me. had sister Mary once,
n and love the name. Mary, will you
le be willing to let me do what l can tC
le make you happy, useful woman :"
was at once sent to school. ,Oi
re course had much to unlearn as wei
he as to learn, but hard work accomplishes
a wonders and two years ago received
Id kindly words from my teachers that
yh brought thrill of pride TO my breast
IL for l felt that could at last reach tn,
7; ultimatum of my longing, and go fortl
L into the world and work for myself ant
be independent.
er One day when thought we were en-
n, tirely alone-Mrs. st. John and mysel
al in her boudoir, broached, the sub
ty ject for the first time.
as was little prepared for the effect o
my words. knew that she loved me
'le though not till then how much. Blu
though she pleaded, yet | was firm, fo
OF | had discovered something within my
h' self that forced me to do so. But, oh
he it was hard indeed to resist those ten
as der, earnest tones,
'Mary, do you know that to see yol
III, leave my roof would break my heart
Is You do not speak. Is there, then, NJ
81 way in which can induce you to Civ
up this idea that has gained such a holt
~, over your mind ?"
hnI |
ne "Of course there is" cried a ricl
voice at the door that brought the bloot
in a torrent from my heart to my cheeks
as pushing aside tine curtains, Herber
as entered.
er- His eyes met mine, and fell. A joy
eu GUS light sprang into his handsome face
= that face that l had long known
me cared for with more than sister,,
IS affection.
hu ASK her 10 stay as your daughter,
mother"
'iS' AS | stood there blushing crimson, a
ne soft hand took mine.
"Can ii be possible, Mary, that you
'ne care for my son ? l had not dared to
ray hope for this. | knew that Herbert
loved you, but never dreamed you had
a thought for him that was not merely
nee sisterly." (Ah, my short sighted bene
cps faetress y "Will you indeed stay
IN Mary, as my daughter"
"And as my wife ?" another Holc
ms added, while strong young arm en-
led folded me.
see And l stayed, and here | still am, nj
u longer Mary Exams, but digniiied Mrs
hu Herbert st. John. Herbert often call,
lilu me POLY" for which l do not chidt
1 5n' him, f0f love to hear my old name
s ,ns spoken in his tender tones, though in
m leu deed, perhaps, it might be as well tc
va, vac say that everything is music to me that
ieu az, comes from his lips.
lsh