The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1885-1888, 1885-09-05
THE WASHINGTON CRITIC SATURDAY EVENING SEPTEMBER

cried hoarscy, Dear uncle, oh, what
can say-what can say to move your
you think ! was very hard, Harry,
] see; but thought 1t best
a." Hush, child ! said. Nothing
will influence me. am resolved
And so am | she said sOrrowfully,
dropping my hand and rising to her
feet Il should always have wished to
please you; lut now that you are harsh
and unjust and will not listen orclson,
what can ! doY
"Shc waited for me to speak, but !
had no words nj hand. ! was too hurt
and angry. She went toward the door,
then came back and stood behind me,
resting her hand lightly upon my
shoulder.
"'Try and forgive me, uncle. /
love him sol love his faults that
make you despise him, and his virtues
that you do not know. Won't you
kiss me, unclcy
II was half inclined to take her in
my arms and tell her she could do
what she would, bu; did not. After
a few minutes of dead silence | heard
her catch her breath in half sob and
then the door closed upon her and |
was alone.
"Thc next day she did not come down
before went TO the city, and when |
came home She was gone. have for
given her now. Harry, but it was a
cruel blow. After all my love and
care did not think she could have left
me like that
Why, Trot, you look quite fright
encdl I'm not cross my pet
Eyes, yes, my boy, I'm going on but
you are so impatient. Well, some time
after-a year or two years, perhaps,
cant remember cXaclly-as / was
coming home at dusk, in the Strand. !
think il was, lmet a woman in shabby
black dress, with u child on her arm;
our eyes met, and then somehow or
other we were the centre of crowd,
and | was raising Niolet's head from
the hard pavement. She had tainted
on seeing me, and had just contrivcd
TO save her and the little one from a
severe fall.
81 brought her home in cab, and
my housckCcper helped her into bed.
Harry, she was next door to starvation,
when that accidental meeting gave her
back TO me-for only three days i was
too late to save her
"'Iou have forgiven meY she asked
that evening, as sat by her bed.
81 forgavc you, my child, long
since; but not him who has brought
you TO this. Where is hcY
" Dead, said the poor girl in a
faint whisper. Don't speak i'll of him;
! cant bear it,
81 asked her why she had not let me
know she was in distrcss-why she had
not come home.
" 1 was ashamed to come she said
i knew you would not turn from me,
but | was too much ashamed.
"The next day but one the doctor
told me what TO expect. | promised
the POOR child that Trot should take
her place with me. ! held the little
one for her to kiss, and had it taken
away; and then
"Trot, my darling, run up stairs to
nurse for while; I'll call you down
again by and by
and then, as | said, Violet babe me
goodbye. Her last words? They
were: Give my love to Harry
"Thesc inccssant fogs have very
bad effect on my throat. can't talk
for any length of time without getting
like | did just now, 50 that | can I
| croak out Il word.
There isn't much more TO tell, for
tunately for I'm getting as hoarse as Il
raven"
" was out with Trot by my side, one
day last autumn, when | came upon
como npn who I thnuuht hul unnn 4,