The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-09-14

Mrs. Searle's absence.
One day Eden's chair had been pushed
out upon the cool, wide veranda. She
looked like an angel in her dainty, white
lace covered robe, and Mrs. Searle could
scarcely keep her eyes off her. They
had been there but few minutes when
a servant brought Mrs. Searle a tele-
gram. As she glanced up after reading
it she met Eden's gaze, full Of strange
anxiety.
my son has been injured and is com,
ing home," she explained.
Seriously" The word came gasping-
ly, and the girls face rivaled her snowy
robe.
"Oh, no, dear. Do not be frightened.
Only q broken arm"
Agreat sigh of relief struggled through
the girls white lips.
"You have a tender heart" said the
elder lady, kissing her fondly.
''Shall you send me away"
"Send my dear daughter away?" in a
surprised tone. "Indeed, l love you too
dearly even to do that. What, weeping?"
and with tender touch she wiped the
tears from the beautiful face. Nothing
shall ever make me love you less, MOI
send you away, Ipromise.p
With another kiss she fastened away
to issue orders for Kenneth's comfort.
His arrival followed close upon the tele-
gram, and in the confusion Eden was
momentarily forgotten. Her chair was
close beside the main entrance, and al
though her face was turned away, he
saw and recognized her.
eden! Ny darlingl My darlingr he
cried, taking a step toward her. Then,
ere a hand could be outstretched to sage
him, he fell insensible at her feet.
go my Godi Kenneth Kenneth"
Mrs. Searle heard the despairing wall
as she had also heard her sons cry.
"Who are your she demanded, fierce
ly, ~clutching one of the helpless arms.
81 am his wife"
Stunned by the unexpected reply, the
miserable woman turned and followed
the men who bore Kenneth to his room.
1t was only a faint, from which he
soon recovered. But the bones of his
broken arm had been displaced by his
fall, and a physician had to be
ed to reset it. When it was over, and
all had left the room save his mother,
he turned to her.
mother, did Isee Eden, or did l dream
it??'
"You saw her" Grossly and shortly.
"Oh, thank Godl Here, safe in our
care. Mother, / have worn my life
nearly away searching for her. She
read your cruel letter. and an hour after
we were married had left me because of
it. Tell her to cometo me, dear mother,
l have 30 longed for a sight of her dear
face. How came she here!"
Mrs. Searle burstinto passionate weep.
ing. How cruelty wicked she had beenl
AS soon as she could speak she related
the circumstances of Eden's coming, but
she dared not tell him his bride was a
helpless p~aralytic. Then at last she re-
membered the girl was in a state, Of
cruel suspense in regard to Kenneth's
condition, and hurried below.
She found her to all appearance dead.
No breath stirred the white breast, and
the dark lashes dropped low upon the
pale cheeks, hiding the sweet eyes.
A mighty fear convulsed Mrs. Searle's
heart. Must she break her boys heart
with the intelligence that death had
stolen his love at the moment of her re-
covery2
But active measures recalled the spirit
lowering on the borderland of the un-
known, and to the agonized inquiry in
the dark eyes Mrs. Searle whispered an
assurance chat all was well.
The voice she loved best on earth
echoed the words, his dear lips pressed
hers in loves sweet kiss. When she saw
his dear face, SO worn and haggard, how
she prayed God to unloose the bonds
which held her, SO for one;moment she
might clasp him to her heart.
What a pang rent her heart as she saw
the grieved look upon Kenneth's face, as
she passively received his caresses, only
returning his passionate kisses.
She saw by the frightened look upon
Mrs. Searle's face that he was yet in
ignorance Of her helpless condition. She
felt as if her heart was breaking. How
could she tell him? How cloud his hap
piness by such terrible news?
"TeI him, mother" she pleaded, her
eyes fixed upon the wretched woman'a
face. BOX
mo, no, I cannot"
"Tell M - what?' demanded Ken
meth.
Both were silent, and as he looked
from one to the Other the glad, radiant
look left his face, leaving it inexpres-
sively wan and haggard.
"Is it that you care for me no longeri
Mother, is this your work? You need
not speak. win go away again, never
to return"
He turned and staggered blindly to-
ward the door, but ere he had reached
it two loving arms clasped his neck.
Kenneth, dear Kenneth, wait, waltz
He clasped her with his one arm, where
she rested almost a dead weight, but in
the excitement of the moment he did
not notice it. Mrs. Searle was looking
OF in wondering amazement.
"Now, dear mother, tell him." Her
face was radiant, and still clasping his
neck with one arm, she extended her
other hand to the happy woman. "The
story cannot hurt him now"
So Mrs. Searle told the one fact she
had withheld, and he understood how
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