The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-03-27
SELWYN'S DAUGHTERS.

Holm Sol,gya was q strong man, Tat he had
p,iscalculated his strength. lie reeled and
caueht at the chair, and for the moment
,hore was po LIGHT in his ewes. ito had asked
f,r tbe truth. but merciful Father! For
s,ace ne covered his face with his hands, and
mo silence IN the room was ~ the silence OF
death When lac raised his head there was
no resignation in the 0gonized tones
"How long before the voice died In the
parchod throat
The great man looked at him pityingiy,
even his professional cailousncss penetrated.
II an sorry % say, Mr. 'oelwyn, that /
think the utmost limit L. two Years, but there
is imminent danger within That PERIOD. 1es,
he continued. profession trampling pity, 1T
is moro than possible that work would bring
on cr.is In les than tweivemonth. l
shall recommend an absolute cessation from
Iator as on imperative necessity"
John S4ir.ns tortured heart forced one
terrible ciy and be- arose and tottered to-
ward tic mau who had told him ms fate,
with l..l. on; rro,ched, iu % helpless, I'M
rl0r,y.- fq,lion. as though the doom we're al
ready ugen htl.
"Doc,or, doctor" B., cried out, lyon have
made mistake. Say there was one hopeful
symptom you have CROOKED. Oh, God Of
uercr, cannot have it true. Say you Lave
only been trying ing boosted endurance. l
know it is bad, hut tesccch You remember
have a wife ana children waiting fCr bread.
Ga, | cannot have it truo"
The surgeon put his cool, steady band upon
Selwyn's shoulders. Il am very sorry, sorry
from nv heart he said, with genuine feel
= Il. rtr..ef .aaft IaIt on
Be man, Selwyn, and try to endure the in
evitable."
alr solwvn struggled 10 regain his com
posure At length lac uphfted gray face,
held by an iron viii in the semblance OF
calm II thank you, lie said; the two men
shook hands, and placing the fee upon the
table, he strodo out
How Joyous, how care free how heart
lessly beautiful was the world without! The
calm. smiling sky with its serene lOseline,s,
the generous golden glory OF the sunlight,
the rars beauty Of the flowers sent a thrill Of
repugnant despair to his heart, and 1t cried
out: Torture yourself not 10y gazing upon
what YOU arc about to lose, for yet few
months and the world viii be n waste to
you A few months. a few months, and he
had counted upon years. Mercilul father
what were few months.
All the long journey to his home he sat
with unseeing eyes and bowed head, and
when the cars stopped mechanically he arose
and started for home but as he hurried into
the street he stopped lie could not carry
his news 70 the loving hearts who had sent
him away with such fond hopes but yester
morn. How could lac face his wife, his chill
dren. knowing ho must stand helplessly and
lei them stayve He wandered around the
streets. passing his acquaintance unheed-
iDelv. tn the darkness fell. Then manhood
said: "Bo man Face the inevitable. Re
nembcr you are driving them wild with
anxiety
He entered his gate The windows were
uncuFtained, the bright light displayed the
sheen Of silver and china He saw his wife's
fair fase bent over Elsie and Frank, his
sweet lambs, Gertrude aud Bryan were
standing al the window watching for him.
How he was to wiring their hearts As he
entered there was Joyous cry of relief, and
they all rushed upon him with eager in
ouirics But bis wife and Gertrude and
BRYAN. after one swift glance at his face,
drawn and aged in spite Of himself, turned
pale with fear.
Then the mother said Come, little ones,
let papa have supper now, he is very tired "
IL was pretense with ell save Elsie and
Frank As soon as the little ones were in
bed Mrs Selwyn returned To the sitting room.
Gertrude was standing by her fathers chair
and Bryan had her curly head upon his knee
No one was speaking. They had not dared
TO question him.
The wife came over 70 him. 'WellP she
said in q voice she vaiuly tried TO steady
John Selwyn looked upon the eager faces;
he hated 20 give the death wound 10 their
hopes, yet it was cruel 70 keep them in sus-
pense. He rose and put his arm about his
wifes shoulders ELLEN" he answered, lit
is the very worst | am to be hopelessly
blind"
They had steeled themselves but il was not
in nature 10 repress that cry Then there
was silence while they strovo to realize 1t.
Blind, helplessl her husband-whose eagle
eye had foreseen every difficulty, whose
strength had been her pride and glory.
Blind helpless that man rejoicing in the
fulness Of strong manhood, made even more
dependent than an infant. Blind helpless!
their father, who had been TO them as an I'M
conquerablo giant Blindl helpless when
they had reckoned upon him assn invincible
bulwark Blind terrible fate-worse than
death. They would not believe it.
But John Sclwyn assured them sadly that
1t was true, and they turned 20 look upon tho
future
John" said the wife, IL will he eyes and
hands and ears 10 you; when the worst comes
We will face it,
And you need not trouble about money,
papa slid Gertrude stanchly. Bryan and
] will earn all wo WANT
lie smiled sadly. Poor, inexperienced
children they know little how hard it was to
earn dollar.
81 must fuliN my contract with Whit
comb he said steadily, whatever betdes.
There is not 1900 we can call our own. We
haven't been wastcsul, but this job will give
me $50, which Will keep the wolf away
little while ought 10 have laid up some
thing but thought had plenty Of time /
must see you suffer from my neglect while
am burden to you"
''Oh, john" said the wife, do not say
that
Papa" cried the girls in indignant,