Wichita eagle., 1888-04-14
SELWYN'S DAUGHTERS.

John Selwyn was a strong man, but he had
miscalculated his strength. He reeled and
caught at the chair, and for the moment
there was no light in his eyes. He had asked
for the truth, but mercIful Father! For a
space he covered his face with his hands, and
the silence in the room was as the silence of
death When be raised his head, there was
no resignation in the agonized tones.
How long before the voice died IN the
parched throat.
The great man looked at him pityingly,
even his professional callousness penetrated
Il am sorry to say, Mr.. Selwyn, that 1
think the utmost limit is two years, but there
is imminent danger within that period. Yes, !"
ne continued, profession tramphng pity, 1T
is more than possible that work would bring
on crisis in less than a twelvemonth- I
shall recommend an absolute cessation from
labor as an imperative necessity"
John Selwyn's tortured heart forced one
terrible cry, and he arose and tottered to
ward the man who had told him his fate,
with hands outstretched, in helpless, i'm
ploring fashion, as though the doom were al
ready upon him.
Doctor. doctor" he cried out, ''you have
made a mistake. Say there was one hopeful
symptom you have overlooked. Oh, God Of
mercyl cannot have il true. Say you have
only been trying my boosted endurance. l
know it is bad, but beseech you remember
I have a wife and children waiting for bread
Oh, cannot have it true!n
The surgeon put his cool, steady hand upon
Selwyn's shoulders. II am very sorry, sorry
from my heart, he said, with genuine feel
ing, ''but 1t is God alone who can help you
Be man, Selwyn, and try TO endure the in
evitable."
Mr. Selwvn struggled to regain his COM
posure At length he uplifted a gray face,
held by an iron will in the senblance OF
calm ~ thank you he said; the two men
shook hands, and placing the fee upon the
table, be strobe out.
How joyous, how care free, how heart
lessly beautiful was the world without! The
calm. smiling sky with its serene loveliness,
the generous golden glory of the sunlight,
the rare beauty of the flowers sent thrill of
repugnant despair TO his heart, and it cried
out: Torture yourself not by gazing upon
what YOU are about TO lose, for yet few
months and the world viii be a waste to
you" A few months, a few months, and he
had counted upon years! Merciful father,
what were 2 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. He could not carry
his news 70 the loving hearts who had sent
him away with such fond hopes but yester
morn. How could he face his wife, his chill
dren, knowing he must stand helpleSSly and
let them starve. He wandered around the
streets, passing his acquaintance unheed-
iuclv. till the darkness fell Then manhood
SAID: BE a man Face the inevitable. Re
member you are driving them wild with
anxiety"
He entered his gate. The windows were
uncurtained. the bright light displayed the
sheen of silver and china He saw his wife's
fair face bent over Elsie and Frank, his
sweet lambs; Gertrude and Bryan were
standing at the window watching for him.
How he was 10 wiring their hearts AS he
entered there was a joyous cry of relief, and
they all rushed upon him with eager in
C7frieS. But his wife and Gertrude and
Bran. after one swift glance ct 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 a pretense with all 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 10 him "WellT' she
said in voice she vainly tried TO steady
John Selwyn looked upon the eager faces;
he hated to give the death wound to their
hopes. yet it was cruel TO keep them in sus-
pense. He rose and put his arm about his
wife's shoulders. Ellen he answered. lit
is the very worst. l am 60 be hopeleSsly
blind"
They had steeled themselves, but it was not
in nature 10 repreSs that CRY. Then there
was silence while they strove 10 realize II.
Blind, helpless! her husband-whose eagle
eve 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. helplessl
their father. who had been 70 them an IN
cOnqGerabls giant. Blind, helpless! when
they had reckoned upon him as an invincible
bulwsTk Blind terrible fate-worse than
death. They would not believe it.
But John Seiwyn assured them sadly that
ii was true, and they turned to look upon the
future.
John" said the wife, II viii be eyes and
hands and ears to you; when the worst comes
we viii face It."
And YOU need not trouble about money.
papa" said Gertrude scanchly. Bryan and
! will earn ali we want
He smiled sadly. Poor, inexperienced
children. they knew little how hard it Was to
earn dollar
Il must fulfill my contract with Whit
comb he said steadily, whatever bet!des.
There is not s.. 600 we can call our own We
haven't been wasteful, but this job viii give
me $3.50, which vii keep the wolf away a
little while. 1 ought 20 have laid up some
thing, bit thought I had plenty Of time. I
must see you suffer from my neglect while ]
am burden 70 you
'.Oh, john said the wife, ''do not say
that
Papa" cried the girls in indignant,
loving disclairn, "desr, dearest and best OF
papas You know you always did the very
best"
So he had John SelVyn was well known
E1ryeyor whose services were always n
re1uisit;on- The eldes. Of large family, he
had supported mother and sisters until tbs
first had been called home and the latter had
married. His wife had managed well with
tie residue Of. his income; -h,,se.rlS had a