Milford chronicle., 1883-04-06

8 mo, SAID Mrs. Comstoek, you sha
not take him from me again Stay
] moment; will tell my husband all an
Y see what he will suggest.
ooh, Bessie spare me the shame {
= meeting the man who occupies the plac
in your heart l once filed, he pleade
t sadly.
Love for Jack Holbrook had died on
years before; yet she pitied the trem
bling outcast who had strayed to he
door-pitied without being able to con
meet him with the handsome, dashing
young fellow who had won and tramplet
upon her girlish affections.
"My husband is the soul of generosity
and will gladly help you to begin life
anew. Hark r. she went on, assuming a
listening attitude, 81 hear his footster
now; he is coming to see what has de-
tanned me so long"
Mr., Comstock entered the kitchen and
was greatly amazed when in a few hur-
ried words his wife explained the state
of affairs.
DO whatever you please my darling, -
he said, 81 will consent to anything that
will make you happy"
Jack Holbrook looked at the woman
who had once been his wife with bitter
pang of regret; then at his own tattered
garments and a flush of shame rose to
his checks. At Bessie's request he car
ried the sick boy upstairs. An hour later
the family physician arrived and declared
the child to be dangerously i'll with
pneumonia. Through the long hours of
the night the discovered pair watched at
the bedside of their dying child. Who
shall say what Jack Holbrook's rehec-
tions were as he reviewed his past life of
folly and sin that had led him step by
step into the lowest depths Of degrade
tion.
In the midst of his most acute suffer-
ings poor little Jack vaguely wondered |
why the pretty lady kissed him SO often;
and why, when she left the room for a
the man who had befriended
lim kissed the same spot her lips had
ouched. The doctor returned at an
,arly hour and said the child could not
possibly recover. Everything that ten
lerness could devise was done to assuage
lis pain, and at nightfall the frail body
vas at rest An hour or two before he
led Bessie raised him in her arms say
lg:
Look at me Jack. 1 am your own
ear mamma who lost you long ago. 1
rayed every day that you might be re- r
tored to me. You are going to God my
arling, but we will meet again in 1
eayen. Do you think you will know t
e, Jack ?" O
ooh my boyl" said his father, "for- e
We me before you go. 1 have been the St
use Of all your suffering. Ask your 81
other to forgive me too. o
Il forgive and mamma forgiyes, muir ST
ured the child. ii
Bessie reached out h hand as a token al
pardon. For moment Jack Holbrook W
ID it in his own, but neither spoke 10
rd Presently Bessie said teufully: I
Perhaps this dear child was restored to
me in order to teach me the divine lu
son Of forgiveness; and it may be for tn
3 purpose Of leading You back to a bet ma
life. God grant that his mission may yo
have been in vain.
liter the funeral Mr.. Comstock had n do
6 conversation with Jack Holbrook. re'
D appeared like a different individual ey
IN attired in a decent suit of clothes. th'
As a guarantee of my belief in your tan
,ere repentance, 1 am ready to supply he
with means to leave the city and go OF
ONE place where your history is I'M sta
wn, that You may begin life over sey
in, observed Mr.. Comstock. hand mi
him a roll of bills. edG
he poor outcast was overwhelmed
his unexpected kindness, and prom he
faithfully to follow the advice. Is
May God bless you and your wife, " tne
aid falteringly. ''You are worthier tho
er than 1 ever could have been. enc
her 1 will remember Jacks mis- goo
!" I
ID was sent to q home for friendless ana
:, but is now clerk in Mr. Com "
Ks Office and desperately in love atte
the 'yeller haired gurl. Occa- a m
lily Mr. Com stock hears from and ing
IS to Jack Holbrook, who is a pros
us merchant in a Western town. n
ie and Jack are the guardian angels in q
s existence, aud he hopes 10 meet Wo
n again in that place where there is soor
marrying or giving in marriage" III