The Portland daily press., 1886-11-01

"See if you are not back in a day or two
with the same old story"
Clarence turned quickly and left her. She
heard him cross the room, and knew he bent
over Freddy's crib and kissed the little Sleep
er again and again.
Hell come back before he's really gone"
whispered she to herself, going toward the
door, but turn in the street hid him from
sight. He had gone, without bidding her
goodbye
swell, we've been married long enough to
be done with such nonsense" she said. by
way of consolation, yet there was terrible
pain at her heart.
She sat still till Freddy awoke, then with
a cry of anguish she ran across the hall to
the nearest neighbor with
'Please come, Mrs. Wilson. My baby is
dying"
Mrs. Wilson came, for though rough in
manner she was kind in heart.
HE is in fit" she said, the moment she
saw the child. Bring me some water and
help get off his clothes"
Stella obeyed.
Hold him so, till run home and get some
medicine" she said. putting him in the
bath. "Such women as you amt fit to be
mothers, " she continued, returning with her
hands full of bottles.
II have so many trials to bear" moaned
Stella.
Nonsense" replied Mrs. Wilson. "You
have pretty home if it was put in order"
"Tm used to better"
young people can't begin where the old
| nnac lpft nff Thav noucf ,noEa fhoir oxrp
| homes"
Il never understood it so. My sister adj
vised me never to marry poor man."
"And so you keep finding fault and com
planning when your husband is trying in
every way to make an honest living. 1t is a
wonder you haven't driven him to drink
long ago."
But my husband is good man, replied
Stella, warmly, resenting the last part of
the speech.
He has shown himself to be good man.
The woman said it in good faith, wrapping
Freddy in soft fiannels and administering
quieting potion. She had been watching the
movements of the people ever since they
came to live in the house.
my baby will get well, won't hep was
said pleadingly, and the poor thing sobbed
again as if her heart would break.
"Yes, indeed.
And you will stay with me through the
night?" forgetting that she was one of
''those people,"
I'D stay with you whole blessed week.
replied true-hearted Mrs. Wilson, "if could
make you a wife worthy of your husband"
Tell me what l shall do and I'll do it
willingly and without complaining"
All through the long night, while Freddy
lay between life and death, Mrs. Wilson
worked over him brayely and told the girl
mother chapters in her own life experiences.
There were passages over which Stella wept
bitterly and when morning dawned, giving
back the child from danger, in place of the
tickle, unreasonable woman, there was one
ready to meet life's work with firm purpose
and strong heart
She tidied up each apartment, and instead
of going about in a dowdy wrapper. put on !
fresh dress, arranged her hair becomingly,
and changed the quicker about her mouth for
her own rosy lips.
You're pretty little thing" Mrs. Will
son told her when she had fastened a knot
of blue ribbon in her hair. 'See after baby
now. I'll look in every now and then through
the day, and tonight will come back to you.
Your husband will be here tomorrow morn
ing"
Eyes," Stella replied, with bright look
in her eyes, Hell be here by 10 o'clock"
After all, it was long time to wait she
thought She was so impatient TO tell him |
and she would kiss him as many times as
he wished.
Eyes, indeed!' she exclaimed, joyfully, |
bending over Freddy's cot, ''we'll kiss papa a |
hundred thousand times, won't we dear9"
Il do wish Clarence would GOMEZ she |
kept saying the next morning. "What de-
tains him?" she continued, when the clock /
was on the stroke of r. 'What if''-and her |
heart lay like lead in her bosom as she re-
called the look she last saw on his face |
''what if he never comes back" she muir
INJURED, going into her own room. "Mrs. Will |
son." she called, "where is my husband?"
In an instant the dear good soul was beside |
her, resting hand tenderly on the aching |
head. True hearted womanl She shrank |
from saying it had been dreadful night on |
the sound, and that steamer had collided |
Will bilO 4NCW DUdb. I6T nuSDduu
travelled by boat" had been her conclusion.
Stella caught at her arm, the sound of her
voice answering Freddy, and with cry she |
fell. Poor, tired, inexperienced wife and |
mother Was the ordeal so ordered? With |
the help of neighbor Mrs. Wilson laid her |
on the bed.
run for the DOCTOR" she said to Miss
Williams"
But you don't know"
Il do" she interrupted. Mrs. Henshaw |
will have run of nervous fever and wheth-
er her husband is dead or alive, / cart say"
When Stella opened her eyes again it was |
nearly night. She knew no one about the
bed, but talked to Clarence and Freddy and |
sister Belle. She was going to help her hus-
band now. She could earn money by teach |
ing music or painting, ''or might have a few |
pupils in dancing" she added. "But forgive |
me for striking" and her arms were put |
up as if to clasp something, when she dozed |
again.
Late that evening Clarence came in sight |
of home. Contrary to Mrs. Wilson's conjec-
ture, he came by different route. He had |
thought to telegraph, but ''Stella won't wor-
ry,' he said, ''if am late" The light fad |
ed from his eyes and his face turned CHASTITY |
white when he looked into the rooms.
Both gomez" he groaned. walking from I
the bed to the couch.
mo, no." Mrs. Wilson said comfortingy |
"Baby's better, and your wife will come out |
of this. All she needs is good nursing, and |
that she shall have" turning aside her head |
and drying her eyes with the corner of her |
apron.
What should we do if such as she were |
not stationed all along the walks in life?
1t was painful to listen to the wild talk. |
If might endure it," Clarence said so |
many times. When at last Stella awoke |
from the horrible dreams her husband was
bending over her.
Clarence" she said very softly at first; |
Clarence" she repeated, putting her arms
about his neck. "If you'll forgive me for |
striking Freddy I'll kiss you, o, so many |
timesv'
Foolish fellowi he cried like baby.
Listen Stella" he said as soon as he could |
command his voice, ''listen. / did get the
situation and you can have everything YOU |