The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1886-01-28
strike an infant as trouble her, the pretty

dover
But what was the best medicine 70,
Alice was soon apparent to me. She
had learned to value such love as MARKS
and she understood at last what his at.
tentions meant.
For seven years he had kept her i'm
age in his heart, and when once more
he could honorably WOO her he made no
secret of his devotion.
She frightened yisibly, the shy, blue
eyes looking more frankly into Marks
than they had ever done, the sweet must
cal voice losing its quiyer when she
spoke to him
Very gladly did 1 hear that INV
brother had won the heart he coveted,
and very sure was that it was all his
own, with far truer, more womanly
love than Alice had given in her gIrlish
infatuation to Henry Parker.
And ], who knew Mark so well, knew
that each year would but add to his af-
lection, and that Alice need never know
again what it was to fear her husband.
The long, bright summer passed hap
ply, and In September Alice was to re-
turn to her mother TO prepare for q quiet
wedding and an extended tour.
It was the evening before she was to
leave Us that Miss Arnold invited Mark
and myself to tea. We were all in the
parlor, early in the evening when 8
gentleman asked for Mrs. Parker, and
Alice turned very white as she introduc-
ed Mr.. George Parker.
my husbands brother" she said
aside to me. HE was always very kind
to me-"
For few moments after this intro
duction MIR. Parker sat in embarrassed
silence. Then he said very suddenly:
Il do not know whether my news will
be good news or bad news to you, Alice.
l came to tell you, as soon as possible
after hearing it myself, that Harry is not
dead"
Alice did not faint or scream. White
as death, she said. steadily:
why did he conceal it from me?''
'tHe did not Intentionally. He was
left for dead and so reported, after the
trouble in st. Louis, but he was only
horribly wounded. Somebody took him
to hospital, but he got better in other
ways, the doctors found his brain was
weakened. He was sent to an insane
asylum, and it was only two weeks ago
that he recovered his sanity enough to
send for me. went to him at once and
brought him to my house He asks
every hour for you, but 1 ought to warn
you that he is still very queer. The
doctors say he is harmless, and as he
wanted very much to come to me took
him out. Ishould not have left him in
pauper asylum any time, but / very
much fear he will have to go to private
insane hospital before long. He is
strong and well and may live for
years."
Eyes. shall go to my mothers to-
morrow" Alice said. will you bring
him to me?"
There seemed no question of her duty
in her pure heart, but the hopeless mis-
cry OF her fair face was heart-breaking
to witness. MIR. Parker left in time for |
an early return train to the city, and
Miss Arnold took me to her own room to /
look at some lace.
''Let them be alone" she said to me. |
'tIt is for the last time. know Alice. |
Under that shrinking, gentle manner |
there is strong martyr spirit, and she |
will do her duty at any cost. Oh, the |
poor child! the poor childr'
And we broke into bitter weeping to- |
gether, for as deeply as she grieved for |
Alice, did grieve for my brother.
did not see Alice again. Mark met |
me in the hall, and saying to Miss Arm |
old: go to her! Comfort her if you |
canr' he drew my hand through his /
arm and led me out of the house.
That was just one week ago. To-day |
we read in the city papers this para
graph:
''Mrs. Henry Parker, residing at 2S2, |
- street. was found dead in her room /
from the effects of an overdose of chlor- |
al. The dose was probably taken acct |
dentally, as Mrs. Parker has been suffer |
ing from insomnia. and using choral to |
produce sleep"
Mark is locked in his room, and even
dare not intrude upon him, or ask the |
question that haunts me. Was the over |
dose taken by accident, or in a moment !
of utter despair?