The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-12-19
have no morey," she said, srem-

| ., ~SNe 1O 1AoESyS 3@0 S2Ao1 09s0~ bling.
 ~You have got money. You got money tor your work yesterday"
 She was a shade paler, but she stood resolutely before him, and said:
 ." Pa, I've got no money for you. The children can't starve" He stamped his foot furiously. He strode up and down the room like an in furiated animal. The demon of drink and the demon of gambling had posses sion of him. They had also darkness to aid them. Could he have seen those large gray eyes full of tears and the auiv. ering mouth, "the lit,le mother" would have routed the twin demons, but as it ~as his passions had full sway.
 Do you dare disobey me2' he said, hoarsely.
 She threw her arms around him. and between sobs exclaimed:
 70. papa, forgive me if disobeY you do it for dear mammas sake. Look a; the dear little ones that will have to go hupgp!'
 At almost any other time this appeal might have had effect. But he saw the pile of glistering money, he heard the jeers of his boon companions if he re, turned without it. Utering a curse he seized her by the arms and lifting her up, he dashed her to the floor. There was a heavy fall and piercing shriek, and then silence.
 That was a sad scene that was revealed blythe moon trays in that attic room. The suddenly sobered father was bending over the death like face of the uncon scious child, and the other children. awakened by the noise, crying around the bedside, and calling on little Mary to speak to them.
 The little mother" did not seem at first to suffer much from the shock, but every day she bee anne paler and thinner Sue never complained, but she never smiled. Sae appeared to work as hard as ever, the children were as neatly dressed as formerly, but her old-time cheerfulness, which was part of her na ture, was gone forever. Joy and happi ness had vanished from her face. When not working she would keep her eyes 6xed on one spot, and did not seem to he 1T when spoken to Her fl Eers with cred, and her canary bird died. She never cried but once, and that was when she pressed the dead bird to her colorless lips.
 Her father, too, was changed. He spent his evenings at home, aud broke loose from his absolute companions He gave up all his bad habits. The little m other" seemed to sleep more tn n for merly, and when the wre,ched man came home from his work, and looked at her pinched features, calm and unmoved in slumoe he would throw himself upon his bed and sob like a child.
 The summer was over, and the leaves were falling from the trees. The little mother" was on her delth bed Another witaered leaf was falling from the tree of life A doctor had been called in. He shook his head, aud taking the alm ost craz.d parent to one side, sa,d:
 There is no hope Her spine seems to have been injured. Did she ever have a severe fall ?"
 The father said nothing He could say nothing. He felt as if cord was drawn around his throat. He merely gasped for breath as the doctor turned and left the room.
 Throw wing him self on his knees beside the low bed. he said as gently as his rough voice would allow:
 C Little mother, do you forgive me 3'
 A pair of thin arms were thro xn around his neck, and with her old.tim smile she said:
 Dear, good papa, forgave you long ago"
 Little darling, do you know me ?" he asked, perceiving queer look in her eyes.
 Promise me, papa, to-be-good-to -the-lit,le
 A gasp and he was alone with his dead The heroic little soul had found rest at last. The little mo'her's" cares and troubles were over.- 7txas Siftings.