The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1888-05-05
AN ORPHANS CHOICE.

been offered II home with h'r
schoolmate, Laura Good
win.
She would not, however, consent
to become an inmate of the Good
win home unless she could do some-
thing to pay her way so Laura
procured some embroidery work
and Minnie never asked if the sums
she received gained or lost any
thing by passing through her friends
fingers.
As for Mr.. Goodwin, he treated
the orphan as if she were his own
daughter, and Minnie could not be
too grateful for the kindness that
was lavished upon her.
When Laura became engaged to
be married to a very estimable
young man there was no change in
the family affairs. Minnie was left
alone with Mr.. Goodwin a great
deal, and they found mutual inter
est through the long winter evenings
in reading and talking to each other.
1t wanted but a month of Laura's
wedding day when the girls heard
heavy fall overhead, as they sat in
the parlor together.
Mr.. Goodwin's library, which was
evidently the room whence the
noise came; and, after moment of
silent CONSERVATION, the two ran
swiftly upstairs. The friend and
father lay upon the floor, where he
had fallen after leaving his chair,
struck down with paralysis, insensi-
BILE.
1t was many days before speech
was restored, more before motion
came to any limb but in the long
illness Minnie threw off all timidity
and Laura was not herself a more
tender or careful nurse. The ap-
pointed wedding day was over, when
one morning Laura beckoned Min
ME from the invalid's room and
took her into her own chamber.
Her face was pale, but resolute, her
eyes full of suppressed pain, as she
said "Minnie, will you do a pain
full task for me ?"
"You know that | will do any
thing for you, Laura"
"Then you will see Herbert for me
and tell him this: DIR. Holmes said
to-day that my father will never re-
gain the use of his lower limbs,
His mind is clear and he can use
his arms and hands, but from the
lower limbs the power to move is
gone for life. He will be crippled,
almost helpless, and |, his child,
can never leave him !"
"Does he know about all this ?"
"Who? Papa, do you mean
Yes DR.. Holmes told him"
"But OF your decision ?"
"Not yet. l will tell him, while
you--you tell Herbert. Tell him
not to try to see me, for | cannot
bear it. Herbert ~
1t was a wailing cry of parting
but Minnie's lips smiled as she drew
her friends head to her bosom to
caress her and soothe her unspoken
agony.
After long silence she said,
"Come with ME to your father and
tell him now."
And Laura complied.
Mr.. Goodwin heard the resolve ST.
lently, though his bowed head and
grieved face showed how deeply he
felt the necessity for such a sacrifice;
but as Laura bent caressingly over
him, Minnie's voice, low, sweet and
clear, broke the sad silence.
81 will not tell Herbert, Laura,
nor must you break your engage
ment. You will not hesitate to
leave your father in my care. My
hands will minister to him as ten
derly as yours my feet shall fill
the place of his my
"Stop, this must not be, said Mr..
Goodwin, 81 cannot consent to bind
your youth to my infrmity, your
activity to my helplessness."
"You would keep Laura ?"
"She is my only child her own
love keeps her."
"Her love" The child's plead
ing was gone and she stood erect
before them, a woman speaking her
heart. "Her love calls her to Her
bert as truly as mine-Oh, spare
me !" she cried, covering her hot
blushes with her hands. "Do not
force me to tear away from my
heart its veil! Do you not know"
and she crept close to the bedside to
whisper, "that as Laura loves Her
bert, 1 love you ! Do not turn me
away let me be your wife-hap-
pier, far happier in ministering to