The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1885-10-02

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fortunate investment in business few
weeks ago. and to-day I was able to pay
off the mortgage on the house. 1 did
feel ightheartSd when thought / had
secured home for my family"
"Oh. Fred how can you think of
money and houses when our beautiful
boy lies deod!"
The young husband stood shame-faced
and penitent In the shadow of the
darkened room, with Willie's picture on
tho wall, Willie's clothes revealed by
the open lid OF the trunk, Willie's toys
standing ON the floor, it did seem cruel
and heartless to think of anything but
the loss child. And Fred had loved his
baby boy with oil fathers fondness,
and grieved for him deeply and truly.
30 liz, stood silently waiting while Susy
dried her eyes and came to his side.
Carefully closing the door of the room
where sue kept the precious souvenirs of
her boy. she followed her husband to the
dining room. Everywhere the bowed
shutters kept out Gods sunlight and the
house WAS Al dark and gloomy as if
corpse awaited burial there.
Awed by the fathers grave face, the
mothers look OF woe, the children ate
silently, gladly scrambling down and
escaping to Mamie and the nursery
when the dinner was over.
Come Susy," Fred said, 81 can
afford to take few leisure hours to-day.
will get carriage and we will take the
children out A run on the sea- shore
will do us al good, for the weather is
getting hot"
"Oh, Fred, drive me to Greenwood.
1t is nearly month since wewere there"
"Well, as you wish," said Fred, pity
ing the pale face, and really fearing that
he was growing heartless. "We can
take the children down to Bath after
ward"
Nearly month after the day described,
which was fair specimen of the days
preceding it for six long months, silver.
haired old lady sat knitting in cheerful
sitting-room. Inasleeping-room beyond
u lady lay upon the bed, resting after an
exciting talk, weary with crying and
half sleeping.
While the old lady piled her needles
with her sweet, placid face clouded by
some troubled thought. Fred Aiken came
into the room.
"Oh |" he said, kissing her fondly,
Youalways look cheerful here, mother"
II am glad you still love your old
home, Fred, was the reply.
"Yes. Have you seen Susy to-day?"
"She was here this morning, and"
"Has she told you am going to
accept Russell's offer, and take the Cali
fornia branch of the business :"
"She said you thought of it. But,
Fred, I hope you will think better of it.
You are doing well here, and your first
duty is to your own home"
II have no home !"
Erred. you shock mel"
"There is funeral vault up town
where live" was the reply, "i ut the
home I had there is gone. have been
patient, mother, as you advised me. I
have not said one harsh word to Susy.
respected her sorrow. and tried to COM
fort her, but tell you frankly that
shall become insane if do not get away.
1t is useless for me to tell you that
loved my boy, my little Willie, as fondly
rs ever father loved son. I grievedfor
him sincerely, but after my first shock
of pain was over thought of him safe
in our Saviors care. happy. released
from all the sorrows of this life, and was
comforted. God had left me my wife.
my two noble boys and my own home,
health and strength. 1t seemed to me
monstrous and wicked to see no light or
hope in life because babe had returned
to Heaven pure and spotless. But Susy
would not see the loss in this light. 1t
became her religion to mourn for her
baby ceaselessly and hopeleSsly. She
Rugged her grief to her heart till the
whole world was dark, and would hear
no word of comfort"
"Have you told her what you have
just told me of your own source of COM
fort?" -l
"Over and over again, but she only
sobs more pitifully because I do not