Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-01-30
A LOST LOVE;
MOTHERS OWN BOY.

Mr.. Welby was disappointed in his son:
He was wealthy youth, fond of music and
sedentary pursuits, and his father, who
had work d hard all his life and wanted his
boy to do the same, sneered at Gordon's
pale face and white, nervous hands.
ssHis mother all over" he would remark
sontemptuously. Sc the boy became man
and grew accustomed to be regarded as a
nonentity who was of little use in the
world.
When he met Rhoda Warden at garden
party she interested him in free concerts
she was giving to the poor, and she per-
suaded him to help her some evenings, as
he played the violin with more than ordl-
nary skill.
He soon found himself aiding her in her
work, and spent many hours Wishing among
the poor people, reading to them and help
ing them in many ways. He did not tell
her that be had no sympathy with the
work and that he only took it up to be near
her.
One day when be thought she looked
more lovely than usual the words trembled
on his lips to tell her his secret.
ssThis is nay last walk here" she said, 81
go home to resume my classes in the city
to morrow"
" YOU can find enough scholars here"
''But my work will be in the city, princi-
pally in the hospital. shall keep up my
classes, because DR.. Kennedy is not rich
man. but I must help him, too, in his work.
He is resident surgeon at the hospital
sDr. Kennedy" asked Gordon klankly.
s'RIy betrothed. We are to be married
in November, and I can do a great deal of
work as his wife, you see."
sWorkl" Gordon said bitterly. "You
think only of work. Do you marry simply
to carry out your schemes of benevolence?'
The harsh, bitter tone astonished the
girl, who looked into face white as death,
eyes burning like Goals, lips quiveriDg as if
in agony.
''No" she said, shrinking back, ri marry
DR.. Kennedy because l love him."
She lifted her head proudly as she spoke
and made a more rapid movement forward,
half terrified at the face that was SO strange
ly unlike the gentle, dreamy one that had
been Gordon's. She did not even then
guess the truth, but thought some news
had reached him that had caused him suf-
fering, and at the thought the tender, low
ing heart was moved, and she suddenly
paused in her rapid walk.
81 am afraid you are ill, she said. CONT
". srYou are pale; and-see!-you stag
ger. Oh, you are illP' for he took out his
handkerchief and pressed it to his lips,
while deep crimson stain dyed it.
He motioned her away.
''NothiDg!' he gasped. 81 often raise
blood. l inherit weak lungs"
But she would not be put away. She
drew his hand through her strong young
arm.
1--WE are so near your home," she said
''you must let me go with you.'
Fer touch subdued him, and he let her
lead him up the broad avenue from the
gate into lower room, where he sank up
on lounge, the life-blood now cri sonng
his shirt, and his face pale as death. AS
Rhoda settled the cushion under his head
deep groan startled her, and she looked
up to see Mr.. Welby looking down at his
son with face of horror.
"Gordonp' he said, his voice breaking
pitifully, ''has this happened before?"
VERY often," was family whispered
back.
''Will you send man for the doctor?"
the old gentleman said to Rhoda, who flew
TO obey him. "Gordon, my boy! Oh, why
did you not tell me2"
"You despised me So" in another faint
whisper, 81 thought it would only make
yon more contemptuous."
proach. Just as his son lay his wife had
lain again and again until death claimed
her, and yet he had never once suspected
that his son had SO powerful reason for
the Incidence that so irritated him.
sCan you ever forgive me?' he said,
gently wiping the moisture from Gordon
forehead.
81 never blamed you. I have been a
poor, useless creature, no son for you. But
was trying little lately, because-She
does not guess-Rhoda"-
"You love her?'
''Hush! She must not guess. She loves
some one else, and it would gr eve her.
You will not tell her,
Il will do nothing you Go not wish. She
is coming back"
f'Seud her away, and help me to nv
room"
Grieving yet utterly uususpicious of the
death bloN she had dealt, Rhoda went
home.
All night and all the next day Mr.. Welby
sat beside his diving son, his heart wrung
by agonies If el -reproacb. Late in the
day lawyer was sent for and Gordon
Welby N de his will. Rhoda and her aunt
came to make inquiries, and were taken to
the sick-room.
Once more Gordon saw the radiant,
beautiful face that had wrought such mis-.
chief, all in innocence. Once more the
tender, pitiful voice sounded in his ears
Then she was gone, and an hour later a
gray-haired old man was wailing over his
dead.
What DR.. Kennedy suspected he never
told, when lawyers letter informed him
that Gordon Welby had left his country
seat to be turned into hospital, with the
condition that DR.. Kennedy took control,
and had an income out of the estate left tc
the hospital, that was really wealth. to the
young physician and his wife.
Old Mr.. Welby went abroad, but his
heart was broken, and he lived but few
months.
IT WAS A PRETTY FooT.-The funniest
incident of my trip was in sleeping car.
It was in the morning. when the passen
gers had got out of their berths, and only
several sets of curtains were drawn in front
of still slumberous persons. Suddenly a
foot was thrust out between two curtains.
It was small, white and symmetrical-not
more than feminine number three-and
the merest bit of ankle in sight looked soft
and fine. The men glancei at it from the