The Delta independent., 1888-03-27
ELFIE.
BY J. s. L.

and strength.
Wha. more could he needp
Why, continuance of it; and that he
could not command.
Paul had acted very trying part too
long, and it had told upon the state of
his nerves.
He became very ill, and the doctor
pronounced it nervous prostration,"
and ordered for him perfect rest; and
Ellie was plainly told that many a
month would pass before her husband
must undertake another engagement
but that this fact must come to him,
little by little.
The young wife sat still after the
medical man had gone, with her hands
lying listlessly in her lap and far off
look in her dark eyes.
After time she heaved deep sigh,
and tears arose, but she would not
shed them. She glanced around the
room, make pretty by taste, not wealth.
How shall l keep our home to.
gether?" she murmured. "How are
we to live until Paul can work againP
Dear, dear Paul, it would break his
heart to have to leave it! 1t is not
but he loves it And he must not be
worried. How am 1 to keep care from
himP" she moaned, and wrung her
hands with pitiful gesture
And Paul was lying upstairs in a
darkened room, with ice upon his head
and his eyes wandering painfully, and
the doctor coming many times day to
see him.
"f Paul lived, how was the wolf to
be kept from the doorP'
If Paul liyedi
What agony there was to her in the
dread uncertainty of his life; and if that
were spared, the sad uncertainty of his
long, long illness.
And there was not ten-pound note
in the house.
Her fathers advice now came to her.
Still she uld not regret marrying the
man she loved.
How was she to earn money to pay
the landlord, and the doctor, and pro.
vide her dear one with proper nourish-
mentp for of one thing she was
determined-he should want for moth
ing; and she resolved to get work Of
some sort to do.
1t may be wondered that Mrs. LES
TRANCE did not apply to her father for
help.
He had made a condition of his con-
sent that Paul should maintain her,
and she felt that nothing should induce
her to ask for aid. Moreover, both her
parents were abroad.
At this juncture of her painful
thoughts visitor was announced.
MIR. Rainsford lad come to enquire
for his brother actor.
He was, as Paul had said. general
admirer, but he was kind-hearted
man as well, and beauty in distress
always called forth his deepest SYM
pathy. The tears in Elfie's eyes made
him very tender with her, and in q
short space of time the girl had con-
fided all her troubles to his keeping,
and was asking his advice how to OBJ
tain work.
MRS. L'Estrange," he said brightly,
''join us, and you will be star!''
''But Paul says could not act,' she
replied with cretsfallen air.
Nonsense! you know prophet is
not honored in his own country. Men
never do think their wives and sisters
can do anything; but know better. I
have watched you feel every word Of a
pathetic part; have seen your eyes
kindle and give out living sparks. l
tell you, you will with your talents and
bCdugJs NC SICdb SuCCcs5 IL yOu Will
only make the attempt"
''Do you really-really think SOP"
she asked earnestly.
Il do indeed
"And could 1 earn money enough to
keep our home togetherp" she queried
after a pause.
.'Quite, should say; but you would
have to do certain amount of learn
ing, of course"
81 could not pay for tuition" she
returned frankly.
.! will instruct you with pleasure in
my leisure-hours, he said kindly, "and
have no doubt could get you some
thing to do at once, OF course you
could not begin on the London stage
now, but have friend who is getting
up some sem-amateur theatri-
Gals at Kensington. and could
ensure you two months en-
ployment there, and being so near,
it would take you away from LES
strange but little"
with whom could leave him when
l am outp" she said with a puzzled
look. HE must not be neglected.
~ think can help you there also, !"
he answered readily. II have a dear
little sister, who has very serious views
of life, and has become q lady nurse,
and she is the most helpful little
woman alive. Suppose You try herp"
"Oh, but could not make it worth
her while to give up other engage.
mentsF' replied Ellie.
"Mary wouid do anything to please
me-" he said. If l ask her to help
you. she will willingly do no for no pay
al all. L'Estrange is friend of mine,
and it will be more than a pleasure to
me to help his wife in her difficulties y
'How good you are!'' she returned,
looking at him with her speaking eyes.
81 can never be grateful enough for
your kindness
''If kindness it be, it will bring it's
own reward" he answered with a
smile, ''fOr shall have the satisfaction
Of knowing that but for me the world
would probably have never seen my
fxofcge, nor the stage one of its bright.
ct ornaments"
~ hope your prophecy will prove q
true one, she answered with animation.
"And now Will you consider me rude
il / tell you / think | ought to go back
10 PaulP''
Indeed, no. L'Estrangeis fortunate
IN having 30 loving u wife. II more