The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-02-28
SELECTED SKETCH.
AT LAST.

small room away at the very top of the
building. 1t rested upon the plain furni-
lure, and revealed the poverty of its APP
pointments, the only cheerful feature of the
apartment being the fire, which burned
brightly in tiny stove 1t stole into a
corner where, upon low. white bed, q man
was lying pale, thin and emaciated, though
bis face was still handsome, and the large
brown, pathetic eyes were wonderousl,
beautiful
At q desk beside one of the windows, a
slender, graceful woman sat, pale and sad
while her busy hand flew along at lightning
speed over the paper. She had toiled hard
since early morning, and now the sun was
going down.
They were very poor-Ned Thurston and
his young wife-yet there were those who
would say that they merited their misfor-
tunes, and that it only served them right
For Lila Lee had married the handsome,
young bookkeeper in large, mercantile
house, married him against the wishes of her
father
Her mother had long been Dead and Mr..
Lee was very severe, stern man, who,
once convinced that he was in the right, was
perfectly unbending and unyielding. So,
being prejudiced against young Thurston,
simply because the young man was not
rich, he had opposed the marriage from
6rst to last.
Lila was his only child, and it was hard to
see her throwing herself away, as her father
believed it, when she could have married y
wealthy and aristocratic man.
There was old lie Grande, for instance,
the merchant prince, who would have been
proud to call her wife. He haunted Lila
like shadow and did all in his power 10 win
her but in vain
One day Lila Lee and Ned Thurston had
walked quietly to church and were married ;
then they returned to the Lee Mansion, and
broke the news TO her father.
The old man was half wild with rage and
disappointment. lie turned them from his
door and swore that he would disinherit his
daughter. As for I" that fellow, Thurston,n
If he ever showed his face in his presence
again, he would shoot him like a dog.
But the young couple were by no means
destitute. Ned was Woodworking, steady,
and provident; he had saved more than
half his last years salary, and was therefore
not without means
lie rented pretty cottage in the suburbs,
furnished it neatly, and made the prettiest,
most home-like nest imaginable for his win
some bride
Lila did not covet wealth. She was salts
fed with modest income. She was de-
lighted with her new home, and the one
servant relieved her of all labor; and SO tho
days and weeks flew by in perfect happi-
ness
One child, a fairy-like, little girl, came to
brighten their home, and it was some time
after her birth that the clouds obscured the
sunshine, and tho blow fell, for trouble and
calamity, the lot of all men at some period
of their lives, came upon the Thurstons.
Ned, hitherto strong and hearty, was
stricken down by brain fever, and weeks and
months rolled by before there was much
hope of his recovery.
Ofcourse he had lost his situation, and
although his employer had kindly sent the
young couple considerable sum of money
for their present use, it was spent for medi-
zines and nourishing food for the invalid,
and Ned, lying helpless upon his sicl-bed
saw, with breaking heart that they must
give up their pretty home.
1t was done at last, the cottage relin-
pushed, and most of the furniture sold that
they might have a small sum to depend
upon for time. They removed to the old
tenement-house where my story opens, and
there poor Ned faded slowly away day by
day.
Lila was almost wild with anguish. Her
child, too, was ailing, and upon her slender
shoulders fearful load of care was resting.
She contrived to keep the wolf from the
door thus far by means of the copying which
she had managed to procure from some
legal friends, who kindly paid her more than
the usual rates, but the sum was still INSULT
Gent for their need.
Winter was on them now. and Ned unable TO
sit up for more than a few moments at time.
The poor fellow was dying for the want of
Strengthening food and wine, and few
dollars would have supplied sufficient of
both to have brought him back to strength
again.
Lila knew this, but alas, she was power
less to do more than to keep them from
actsial starvation. She had put her pride
under her feet, and had written to her father
q piteous line, telling him all, and begging
for little assistance, but she had received
in reply, reminder that she had made her
own bed, and she must lie upon it.
Lila did not tell her husband OF this she
smothered her own anguish and heart
break, and worked away from morning till
night, trying TO keep soul and body togeth.
er.
The winter sun went slowly down, and
still Lila's hand moved across the page OF
legal cap, until, at last, the FINAL word was
written, and she wiped her pen and laid it
down with sigh of relief. She arose and
went TO her husbands side. The great
brown eyes were eagerly Watching her every
movement. Lila knelt beside him
Darling" she said, softly, kissing his
pale lips, 81 must GO now and carry my
work home !"
$50 late !" he moaned. Oh, Lila Lila,
il drives me mad to lie here and see. you
killing yourself for my sake, when ] ought
to be taking care of You"
She kissed him again.
"Hush, dear" she whispered :" would
lay my life down for you, as you well knowl
You will be able to take care of me as soor
IS your strength ieturns. Mr. Hammond
has kindly promised to secure you situa.
hon."
She put on her hat and veil, and threw
her shawl about her shoulders; then, having
drawn the baby's cradle close to the bed
side, the poor little woman hurried away
bravely.
Pm carry my work back to the Office"
she was saying to herself, when, once or
the pavement below, she had set her face
steadily in the direction of the business part
Of the city, and then I'll try and get
bottle of wine for Ned and few oranges