Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-11-13


he could not get it. Every day he
seemed to be sinking lower and lower,
and the old doctor eyed me wistfully as
he went out; knew what he was think
ing of-how young she is to be left
alone. One night, after two weeks of
almost ceaseless watching, fell asleep
by his side, my head buried in my arms.
l was utterly wearied in that dead stu
por that comes from long waSefulness.
After midnight something reused me;
the moon was looking in upon us, and
the light made Jacks face look deathly
enough. His hand about my hair had
reused me, felt his pulse, il was going
down rapidly. God was good to me,
had | slept on it would have heen too
late to have helped him. remembered
what the doctor said, when the fever
turns give him more brandy, or he will
sink away. All night fed him, every
half hour, the brandy and water, pray
ing that l might be kept awake. "Jill,"
he said-the first rational word he had
uttered since he left me TO rush into the
car for that miserable bag-and then.
goose that was, tainted dead away.
When came to myself Jack was in u
natural sleep; he had reused but mo-
ment, and then in utter weakness
dropped off to sleep.
But the worst was passed, and he be-
gan to mend rapidly. "The Lord has
remembered you," said the doctor, SOL
emnly. The next day friend took the
burden from me little, and | hardly
knew what was passing for several days.
But it was long way out of the woods
yet. How slow it was, after all, al
though DR.. Low said he gained wonder
fully. Two months passed and he could
sit up but short time in day, but
Jack had been working beyond his
strength for months, and his recovery
required time.
Half of our money was gone and the
| future looked dark, but Jack was hope
ful and cheerful, and | sat and read TO
him hour after hour, and we discussed
the old familiar subjects again; all the
time | was rackiEg my brains to devise
some means TO exc out our fast dlmln-
ishimg purse. When four months had
gone Jack could limp about little, but
how thin and pale he was. We had just
twenty dollars left, and that only by the
strictest economy and because the doc
tor would take nothing rs fee.
had my hair down in the old way
one evening; our landlord had just been
in for the rent; there was but ten dol
lars left. had not ventured to broach
our condition to Jack: | had tried hot
to trouble him with our financial mat
ters. "Your hair is worth more to me
than gold" he said, as he let 1t fall
through his white hands. And then 1t
flashed over me-tbe old joko-that !
would sell my hair, II worst came to
worst. The next day neighbor stayed
with Jack for awhile, and | went out on
business. | went into several hair
stores, and when i came out OF the last
one had forty dollars, but my golden
hair, yard in length, was gone. !
cried little all the way home, but "for
Jack" 1 said. How he stared when |
took off my bonnet! "Jill, Jill" no
cried, and his voice broke. al had to
do it, Jack; we must live, and ! got
forty dollars for it," But he turned to
the wall and he did lot speak, only the
sobs shook his frame, and he man, but
he loved the golden hair.
"Jack," whispered half hour af-
ter, "don't you love me little without
the hair?"
"Oh, JILL" he cried, "to think you
were obliged to do it,"
On the way home had passed an art
store, and some paintings In oil had at
tracted my attention. had taken les
sons-my father had been an artist
why could not / revive my skill and
earn something now? | grudged the
money for the material, but nothing
venture nothing have, and so began.
had some talent, | knew, and then
Jacks pale face was an inspiration. 1T
was at the time when rich people were
crazy TO have their china decorated by
hand. Ny fathers patient lessons were
not forgotten, necessity gave me skill,
and | surpassed myself. DR.. Low, on
hearing of my desire and seeing some OF
my work, got an order from one Of his
rich patients. succeeded so well with
that, other orders followed; we would
not suffer, after all. The good God waS
pitiful-he cared a little for Jack and /,
did not tumble after Jack, as the
nursery jingle has IT.; my crown wa;
safe, although bereft Of its wealth oi
hair. Jack was well at last, with Only
little hitch In his gait. He got q po'
sition in the iron works, and We bridged
the ehasm Of pain and were started uI
the hill again. He limped little, anc
looked like boy with my shorn head
but love had lasted, we had each other
and were thankful.
my brave JILL" he said, when VI
sat down the first night after be was a
work again, and he eyed me fondlI
across the little stand; and then coming
round to my chair, ''Sweet Jill!' as h
laid his love upon my lips.
"Don't be foolish, Jack" and
biushed as did the first time he kisses
me years ago.
We are old married people now-tha
is, If twenty-six and thirty can be calle'
old-we have left the dear little teDe
ment; prosperity came fast at last. Jac