St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-10-14
A WIFEs SACRIFICE.
A story Of Love and Dra mon

HE will bring me that exquisite diamond
ring. I'm sure Linnette Osborn's husband
gave her an elegant pearl cross on their an
nversary. Harry knows Pm just wild
about that ring, and-ah! here he comes
nOw." she said.
A moment after quick, firm step came
through the hall. the door opened. and
Harry wentworth came forward kissed the
bright lips held up to him, and taking off
the wrapper, held forward and exquisite
bouquet of rare exotics.
''Here. darling" he said, 81 wanted to
bring you something different to-day, but I
dared not do it. We must wait for better
times. This day, the anniversary of the
very happiest of my life, [ thought to have
brought my little wife something of greater
value to express my appreciation and love.
| But these MOWERS must speak for me-"
Grace took the flowers, pressing them to
her lips to hide their quiyering, but she
could not hide from the loving, watchful
eyes of her husband the look of disappoint-
ment all over her face.
There, there! never mind. love. I
know you are disappointed; but cheer I'D.
| little wife. [ trust this sad state of affairs
will not last very long, and then you shall
| have your diamond ring" Harry said,
gently caressing her.
| At the mention of the ring Grace could
restrain her tears no longer. She sobbed
right out.
''Four days ago Linnette Osborn's hus-
band gave her lovely pearl cross and chain,
and-and [ told her what hoped for. She
will think it so queer and l will be so morti-
| fed. What can | say? She will surely ask
| me. And. Harry, L don't think Will Os
born is doing any better business than you"
foaa
grave, and he said, in a slightly reproach-
| full tone:
IL did not think my wife would grieve SO
about really unnecessary article. L be-
| lieved you would understand that some
very good reason prevented my giving
you this pleasure 1, too. am disappointed,
dear. But don't measure or weigh
your husbands love by his gifts,
Grace. But [ must not be severe. You
are scarce more than child-a loving.
petted spoiled child. But now lsten dear.
| might have brought you the ring. L could
have paid for it or gone in debt"
''No. no; I would not have wished that. :"
Grace said, wiping her eyes and trying to
look satisfied.
III 1 had paid for it dear, it might have
| been at severe cost. But we will not say
any mole about it. Kiss me, and then we
| will have one of our duets, love. 1t is so
| long since we have had any music. These
| times have almost driven all the music from
my nature"
''These timesp' Grace said to herself 81
am heartily tired of hearing those words.
And it is too bad that should have to suf-
fer for other folks misfortunes or mis-
deeds. / am not sure which,"
All, little did Grace Wentworth know the
meaning of the word she used.
| Graded in luxury, reared in home of
| affiuence. what could she understand Of
| suffering?
The weeks passed by and Grace tried to
| Danish the disappointment from her mind.
| She did not return Mrs. OSbOrn's call as she
| had promised.
81 could not endure the look of astonish-
ment she would fix on me when, in answer
to her inquiry, L should have to answer:
! Only bouquet" Grace said.
| The bouquet was still very beautiful and
| fresh. although quite a week old. Indeed.
| it seemed possessed of perpetual bloom.
Grace was changing the water in the vase
| when Nora, the Irish girl, came in.
| what is it, Nora?" Grace inquired, as
| the girl stood hesitating beside her.
''Could have an hour or so this morn
| ing, please? And would you spare me
| dollar? Sure and it's not for meSelf I'd be
asking, but me brother The childer are
| sick, and it's not clint they have and it's
| half starving L found thin last night"
| Nora said, the tears running down her face.
"Why, yes, certainly-go; and here,
| your months wages are nearly due, you
can have more or ALL But, Nora, is not
your brother at work with Mr.. Osborne"
Sure he is, maam. but it's not clint
that he got Saturday night All, and it's
awful times these be now! Tin of the
| hands that's been getting $12 a week whit
| home with none at ALL sure. Did the
master say nothin' at all about it? The
men takes it awful bad, because some tells
of how Mr.. Osborn could have done better.
| Sure and it's meself, Nora OFlynn, that
sees the suffering about
mo, Nora, MIR. Wentworth said nothing
of it, believe his men were paid off,
''Yes, and may the Lord bless and kape
him foreverl The men are telling about
the difference between them, Sure-Mr.
Osborn and the master. But it's goin' I'll
be-"
Mora, come first to the pantry: Ill fix
up some things for you. Or just give me
basket and Fll put in the things while you
are getting ready" Grace said.
Ten minutes after Nora came. picking
up one bundle after another, smelling and
pinching them, as she exclaimed:
Tea! coffee! sugar! crackers! wine!
the cold chicken fixed for you. sure! And
Jelly! Oh, may you live forever! For
what would we do without you, sure! Oh,
the mother and the chider will pray for
you every day that they live
With the grateful Nora's words still
sounding in her ears, Grace Wentworth sat
down to think over the scene about the
diamond ring.
''Oh, how must Harry have been hurt
and disappointed at my reception of his
gift! All, perhaps when he said if he had
bought the ring it might have been at
severe cost. he meant that he could not
have paid his men as usual. He has looked
so worried oftentimes lately. Pm sorry 1
behaved like a child. will try and do
better in future"
When Harry came home to dinner Grace
had so much to tell about Morals friends.
But her husband said little on the subject.
He had determined to cloud GraceS sunny
nature as little as possible with outside
troubles. And SO she began to think per-
| haps things or ''the times" were not so bad
after all, and the next week she said:
Harry, my hat is out of date Almost
| all of my friends have got their fall filings
and cannot have miner"
''What is necessary" Harry asked, in a
tone Grace did not like at all. So she said:
Necessary! Nothing: suppose I can
| stay in the house."
what do you wish, then, Grace?" her
| husband asked gravely.
"a hat, fall suit, gloves, shoes and
new ribbons. Harry, declare, by your
looks one would suppose was eXtravagant.
| I've not had hat for three months" Grace
said, the quick tears coming again. Alas!
| for her good intentions.
..What will they cost?" he simply asked.
81 might make 800 do"
| He looked as if about to demonstrate.
but then, with a sigh, he took up his hat,
asking:
.sWhen must you have it?'
.'Ths is Friday; l should like it by Mon
day. please"
Every well, will try to have it for you.
| Good-by," he said. and pressing his lips to
hers went out
/ s.NOw, Harry is worried because I asked