Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1886-12-25


actually according to The Jaws OF the
sometimes say TO himself, cOnsoling
himself with that fact.
He had often been sorely tempted. in
these sweet months of what was really
his cours;hip, to take her in his arms
ana sue for the love he craved 50
strongly. Ii was bad enough when he
expected to die and leave her, but now
when he knew he should live. perhaps
. aS long as other men, and never be
able to win her love. it was terrible.
And, then. when he contemplated the
parting which must come soon, he felt
that he would rather be an invalid al
ways, and have her daily companionship
if nothing more.
Still it was something to be well again.
and when he thought of all her patience
and unwearied kindness. her noble self
sacrifice, he said. to himself: ''Ewill be
man. should be but poor coward
did say or do anything to offend that
pure spirit l will 60 away and make
no sign. Let her get her divorce. |
will see she has sufficient allowance.
But it was very hard for him.
In all this time she had been a skilful
physician, an intelligent student of his
case. considerate, though despotic
nurse, and an agreeable companion.
nothing more; and when she found that
at last the disease yielded 10 her per-
sistent efforts, her professional enthusi-
asm knew no bounds. She had been
the cool, careful, pass;Onless practi-
toner, now she was the triumphant
victor. She had overcome disease in
one of its most treacherous and insidi-
Gus shapes. She had conquered Death
and was radiant with professional self
congratulation. as the most learned
savan. might be. But apparently the
weakness of tender love had not come
with gentle insistence into her cold
heart.
1t was the morning before Denslow's
departure. Black Care pressed down
his brows, and Gloom had laid its dark
mantle about his shoulders. He saun-
tered to the window and looked out.
Bright March sunlight lay on the noun
tain, on the white dusty road, Gnd OH
| the figure of Madeline. as she stood
there in her white flannel dress. peering
into the cavernous depths of u market
wagon, while the same lank Arkansan
flourished his whip over the straight
backs of the patient. unoffending
mules.
So had she stood on that summer
morning months before when Denslow
had seen her for the first time. and he
turned away sick at heart, thinking how
she was just as far away from him now
as then, even though the law had made
her his property, His property, in
| deed! And he smiled grimly rs he
| thought of dny man being able to con-
troll that high-spiritcd. strong-willed.
imperious girl.
:.She has not the slightest idea OF
what love is." he sighed. ''She is ut
terlv cold and emotionless. save where
her sympathy is temporarily awakened.
Even tire her now that can no lon
ger be deemed an invalid
.Thars two as good cookin' hens as
| We ever seed in yer life. and haint nary
| one on um blind. lowed We wouldn't
| want um eff they wuz, and ef they he'd
been l wouldn't brung um."
There was rattle of silver coins, 4
crack of the long-lashed whip. and Il
creak of the mountain-break. and the
| market wagon started on, and Madeline
turned back into the porch and vanish
| ed from her husbands sight.
He sat down. thinking of the changes
that had been wrought since that first
1 morning so long ago. Then he had
been an invalid waiting for his coffin, 4
I diving man eking out few more days.
now he was strong and comparatively
| we'll He looked at the dumbbells this
little physicians prescription) and he
| felt his well-muscled arms, and threw
back his shoulders and let the bracing
| March air into his lungs, and was glad
that he lived.
.Ah. WELL" he sighed, "a man can t
have everything in this world. Let me
be thankful for what have"
He went away with a heavy heart:
Madeline smilingly gave him her hand
1t the parting, and it was all over.
He had come out of the sweetest
dream of his life with seemingly every
thing to make him happy. health in
fair degree, money. a good appetite.
and rlenty of friends in his old home
GLAD to welcome him home from the
border land of Death, but man will be
an ungratefu creature TO the end OF the
world. and he cursed his fate and sigh
ed for the graceful figure and the bright
sunny face of the woman, when the
world was full of women. each ready
to he taken from the home-hearth. as a
flower is willing to be plucked from the
multitude cf the unchosen.
But in modern parlance ''he wanted
the EARTH" and it was Il very small
part of its dust embodied in the sweet
ness and charm of little Madeline, thai
seemed so desirable to him.
Months passed slowly enough. H'
had expected TO be notified in due, lega
form that his wife wished to be separat
ed from him, and was puzzled to know
why such notification did not make it
appearance. 81,
lie determined to make her hand
some provision when the time came
and all the old interest in business hav
ing returned with his health, he be
came most assiduous man of business
forming stock companies. workin:
mines, buying and selling. and nego
tatng and trying in all this to los'
sense of the small pain tugging ava.
at his big unsophisticated heart.
| H. ualo1 brrrt a rood deal at TIM