Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-08-14

Searle's name. AT first she refused
even to see her. but at length con-
sented. AS the lady bent over her.
infinite pity In her still fine eyes, she
murmured. reproachfully:
IF you had only come for me three
months ago"
Whore were you then" asked the
doctor. quickly.
I'm FOOLS Paradise she replied,
bitterly.
So the waif of the wreck was taken
10 the elegant home OF Mrs. Searle,
and Dr. Forbes was content. The
lonely woman lavished the most ten
der. compassionate care upon her, but
often inwardly wondered at the
strange look with. which Eden re-
garded her.
Mrs. Searle had been widow for
several years. She had but one child,
a son, whom she worshiped with an
idolatrous love- He well merited all
the love bestowed upon him, being
handsome, courteous, refined, but not
infallible. as she fondly imagined.
He proved himself only human by
one day falling in love with a lovely
girl far beneath him in the social
scale. His mother was Mortified, res
olutely refusing to even see her, and
saying all manner OF bitter, unreason-
able things. Kenneth was very pa
tent, for he loved his mother tender
ly. He spent an entire year in a vain
endevor TO win her consent Then be-
ing twenty-five years old, and having
a fortune OF his own, inherited from
his father, he asserted his manhood,
and went To marry his love.
His mother wrote him one bitter
unkind letter, to which she received
no reply, nor had she heard from him
since. She was very unhappy, and
welcomed Eden's coming as an agree
able diversion from her sad thoughts.
She called in physician after physi-
clan, sparing no expense. They talked
learnedly OF a shock, or paralysis of
the spinal cord, but could suggest no
remedy. The girls faculties were
singularly acute, but her body re-
maihed inert, lifeless. Every con-
venience and comfort was provided for
her-among other things "a wheeled
chair, In which she was pushed about
tho lovely grounds surrounding the
mansion. She was seldom left alone,
rosy checked attendant being always
at hand during Mrs. Searle's absence.
One day Eden's chair had been
pushed out upon the cool, wide veran-
dab. 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
a few minutes when servant brought
Mrs. Searle telegram. AS she glanced
up after reading 1t she met Eden's
gaze. full OF strange anxiety.
My son has been injured. and is
coming home" she explained.
Seriously" The word came gasp.
ingly, and the girls face rivaled her
snowy robe.
"Oh, no, dear. Do not be frightened.
Only a broken arm"
A great sigh OF relief struggled
through the girls white lips.
you have tender heart" said the
elder lady, kissing her fondly.
"Shall you send me awayp" Il
"Send my dear daughter awayp" in
a surprised tone. Indeed, / love you
too dearly ever to do that. What,
weepingp" and with tender touch she
wipe the tears from the beautiful face
Nothing shall ever make me love you
less, nor send you away, promise.
With another kiss she fastened away
to issue orders for Kenneth's comfort.
His arrival followed close upon the
telegram, and in the confusion Eden
was momentarily forgotten. Her chair
was close beside the main entrance,
and although her face was turned
away, he saw and recognized her.
Eden! My darling! My darling!"
he cried, taking a step toward her.
Then, ere a hand could be out
to save him, he fell insensi-
BILE at her feet.
"Oh, my God! Kenneth! Ken
neth!"
Mrs. Searle heard the despairing
wall as she had also heard her sons
cry.
who are youp" she demanded
fiercely, clutching one OF the helpless
arms
II am his wife"
Stunned by the unexpected reply.
the miserable woman turned and fol-
lowed the men who bore Kenneth to
his room. ~
II was only faint, from which he
soon recovered. But the bones of his
Broken arm had been displaced by his
fall, and physician had to be sum-
moned to reset it. When 1t was over
and all had left the room save his
he turned to her.
Mother, did l see Eden, or did l
dream FTP"
"You saw her." Grossly and shortly.
"Oh, thank God!' Here, safe in your
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 be-
cause of it,. Tell her to come to me,
dear mother, have so longed for
sight of her dear face. How came she
herep"
Mrs Searle burst into passionate
weeping. How cruelty wicked she had
been! As soon as she could speak she
related the circumstances OF Eden's