Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-07-04
UNCLE PAUL'S WIFE.

Tie SAME uull, IIiOhcLolIO0o 5O%AiN
the rain still fell on the gravel walk
beneath the window, while through
the dark old pines at the back of the
house went tha continual mOurnful
signing Of Z wind.
/ was weary of all indoor occupa-
tons, and could not resort to invec-
tives against the weather, for had no
listeners.
NY uncle, DR.. Paul Eastman, had
gone three miles through the wind
and ram to visit patient in the aims
house, a little boy whose life was
noarly ended, and Mrs. Eastman
was visiting her friends in distant
state.
In an idle, half-dreaming mood, !
lay on the sofa in the pleasant library
TO await my uncle's coming.
The cheerful freight sending its
warm, bright glow over the gerani.
ums and roses in the deep bay-wln-
dow, over the few pictures on the
walls and the well-Glled. book shelves,
banished all thought of the wlAtry
desolation without. Above the shaded
lamp, on the little study table, was a
portrait. 1t had hung there for many
years. the old houselieeper said. |
cannot describe that pictured face, so
nobly, so serenely beautiful. Would
YOU try to describe the look which
the one you love wears for you! Mel
ther will / try to paint with WORDS
that face, which was the full reallza-
ton Of my thought Of those messen-
gers who come from the unseen world
to strengthen amp bless the weak AID
suffering among mortals.
Was she Uncle Pauls first love
the fair yOung girl whose loss has dark
ened all the years of his early man
hood? | had heard something OF the
great sorrow which had clouded those
years, and of one whose live of
beauty had kept her memory fresh
in the hearts of many. | had heard,
too, of the tenderness with which I'm
Gle Paul took to his home, which
should have been hers, her invalid
mother and little brothers, and cared
for them till the mother went to join
the daughter, and the boys were fitted
for commercial or professional life.
But there was mystery in his life. Ii
he had loved and lost the one whose
face was pictured there on the canvas
how could he ever have given the
place that would have been hers to
the respectable commonplace person
whom | have known for five years as
Mrs Eastman2
The longer | watched the sweet
face looking down upon me the great
ei seemed the mystery, &nd so think
ing fell asleep.
A voice awakened me, ALI Miriam,
dreaming"
Yes, uncle; dreaming of that face
above your study table. y
He walked across the room and
stood silently before it long time,
Then he came to me- at is very like
her, Miriam and she was as pure and
good as the angels.
Can you tell me of her, uncleH
What was her namel"
Then, after a short silence, he told
me his early sorrow and revealed the
secret of the mystery that perplcXed
me.
Her name was Grace Hyde. She
was eighteen and | was twenty one
when she promised to be my wife.
| was Just finishing my professional
studies, and had my own way to make
in the world, but | was strong to do
my work and to fight my battles, for
Grace was awaiting the result. Her
love would strengthen me and her
hand would reward my victory.
will not fetter you, Paul, she
said; L know how the promise of
many young lives has been unfultilled
because the daily needs of life and
the necessity of practical answer to
= the questions, "What shall we eat
and what shall we drink, and where
withal shall we he clothedg' have
wearicd the spirit not yet ready for its
hfe-work, crippled his energies, and
chained it to an ignoble service, while
the noblcr work it might have done,
waits for another Give all the time
YOU need to the highest culture, the
fullest development of your iutellec-
ting sphere of labor and then, Paul,
| will go with you, and together we
will make life beautiful.
II could not combat her resolution.
She was firm, and her father said
Grace is right; III the future you will
acknowledge it
so finished my studies III the uni
versity and went to Paris. Grace,
pale and fearful. with her little hands
in mine, said BE careful of your best
self, and may God forever guide and
bless you, dear Paul And then we
parted.
Il had not been away three months
when received a letter from Grace
announcing her fathers death. An
attack of apoplexy,' she wrote.
Poor mother, it is terrible blow TO
her; know not how she will bear it.
Ipray that may help her, and that
God will give me power To comfort
her. After that her letters were not
sad, but there was "A subdued cheer
fulnesS, or 1t might have been an
effort 10 be cheerful, and there was
an impatient looking forward to NY
return. She had such trust IN me,
such noble ambition for me, | was
always stronger and better after read
ing her words. Her influence was
around me continually, and the
temptations of Paris life were all
powerless. l could not disappoint
her trust. would try to be worthy
of her.
Il had been in Paris nearly two
years, and was preparing to return,
when one day a letter, directed in an
unknown hand, was given to me,
opened it hastily, with presentment
of coming i'll, for had heard nothing
from Grace for many weeks. There
were these words from DIR. Merton,
the family physician Of the Hydes:
DEAR pAUL:- Grace does not wish to alarm her
mother, and therefor wishes TO write Her
days are numbered, Come quickly, If you would
see her.
You can imagine the slow passing
of the days that were bearing me to
Grace. She was dying; she might be
gone before l could reach her; and,
as if in mockery of my Impotence, the
dull, m0notonous ticking of the clock
sounded in my ears and the minutes
passed so slowly. At last we reached
New York. 4 few hours ride in the
cars and was in A. | went i'm
mediately to her house, but there was
a strange name on the. door plate.
rang, and inquired where Mrs. Hyde
had removed. The servant gave me
street and number. l soon found the
house, small cottage, in retired
gGyUI.A I. e a, :.