The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-02-18

''O, my God" she grOaned. In her
anguish, lit is only too true what his
aunt told me! am only blot on his
life" She hobbled into the adjoining
room, where a five-month-old infant
slept in a crib. She fell on her knees,
hid her pallid face in the coverlid, and
wept such bitter tears that grief can
only wiring from the eyes but seldom
during life.
30, my poor little Blossom, if it was
not for you l would not live another
nightr' she walled 30, we will not
endure it longer; we will 90 out of his
life as completely as if we had never
beenr' She rose, went into her own
chamber, gathered up her jewelry, hid
it in her bosom, and filled her purse
with money. Godfrey had always been
liberal, and for the last few months she
had bought nothing. There must be
a place somewhere in the world for us,
baby" she thought
About dusk she called the nurse.
Bring the baby into my room, and
tell them not to wait dinner for me-
The nurse obeyed. The mistress is
going to lie down, she thought, and
wants her babe with her.
An hour later Godfrey asked for his
wife. The nurse answered that she
was lying down and did not wish to be
disturbed. He turned away disap-
pointed; it had now been two days
since he had seen her for a moment.
He returned to his Office and did not
come home until late hour. In the
outer room he found the nurse asleep
in chair. He awakened her. She
sprang to her feet and rubbed her eyes.
What time is it?'' she cried.
Cone O'clock" was the somewhat
impatient response.
'.And l have forgot the blessed
ladvT she cried. II sat down to
await the mistress orders and must
have gone asleep" As she spoke she
opened the door. They are not
herer'
Not here?n he calculated.
He entered the desOlate room; no
wife, no baby greeted his eye.
On one of the pillows a note was
pinned, and the nurse handed it to him.
Your own heart will tell you where have
gone. Do not seek to find me-"
He read the words over and over;
was there any hidden meaning in
them?
MY God, what can it mean? She
must be madr'
He had no inkling of the truth
nothing to lead him to the unraveling
of the mystery.
He called the servants. awoke his
aunt and cousin. Their search was
fruitleSs; she had gone as completely
and secretly as though she had dropped
through the earth.
The next morning Ophelia Brent
opened the newspaper, and ran her
eyes over the columns.
"A sad accident" she read Last
night about eleven o'clock, Il woman
with babe in her arms jumped off the
! ferrvboat. All efforts to rescue her
were fruitless."
A cry escaped from her lips, and she
| passed it to Godfrey.
He read it with ashen lips and pallid
face.
1t was quiet little hotel generally,
but tonight there was a rushing of feet
and some unwonted commotion.
A pale, delicate woman opened her
door and beckoned to a servant.
"What is the trouble?" she inquired.
"a lady dying in the next ROOM"
was the response.
She cast one glance back to the bed
where an infant lay asleep, and then
cautiously wendell her way to the scene
of death and sorrow.
The woman on the bed was insenSible,
and beside her stood a man with a wall
! ing infant in his arms. Great tears
were running down his cheeks and his
form shook with emotion.
'Give me the infant" she said,
gently. II have a child of that age of
my own"
He cast one glance at the frail
woman who spoke to him, and then
relinquished the child to her care.
The next day the bereaved husband
came to see her.
He told her they were on their way
to California; that his wife was taken
sick on the train, and got off here for
medical aid.
''All help was vain,' he continued;
"and now am left with a poor mother
less babe. | have no relatives to take
it to; am utterly at loss what to do"
LET me keep it" said the woman,
eagerly, lit is about the same age as
my own; they will be like twins.
''Are you able?' he questioned. Il
noticed that walking seemed very pain
full to you?"
A flush stole into her pale check.
Il am weak. very weak" she re-
turned, but surely will not be forsaken
s,
Then Will leave him. MAY Heaven
reward you for your Kindness" He
took roll of bills from his pocket, and
counted out liberal sum. Il will
write you soon after reach my desti-
nation" he said, as he left.
mo one will ever trace me here"
Bertha thought. 81 will rent cottage,
and make a home for myself and
babes
A small but desirable place was soon
found. She hired a girl to do her work
and help care for the children.
A few weeks made a great change in
her health, and she determined to try
to give music lessons.
The old physician, whom she had
consulted when she first arrived,
promised 10 speak among MS patents
for pupils. His two little grand
daughters headed the list, which soon
ran up to six.
Once every six months letter came
from Mr.. Forester, the father of the
babe, and with it check for two humid
red dollars.
The years passed by; years of bitter
tears, passionate longings, until they
numbered seven. Had it not been for
hnr hlnSSnnn Rnhv Rnlla she would not