The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-02-19

AS for Stella, all her heart went into
his keeping.
Three months sped by happily enough
to both.
One evening, Jack, having jammed
his hand at the mill, came home unex-
pectedly.
Letting himself into the front entry,
he stopped on the rug transfxed
The sitting-room door was aiar, and
he could see his wife in the arms of
tall, slim young man, while her lips
were upraised to his.
A few seconds Jack stood like statue,
and then in a sort of stupor he blum
dered out into the night again, leav-
ing the door wide open.
Stella, feeling the sudden draught,
went into the entry and closed the door
wondering how it had opened.
On the following morning Jack did
not return home as usual.
Just as Stella began to think that she
must go and see if anything had hap
pened to him, the postman left an en-
velope for her.
On opening it she found check for
$500, made payable to Stella " Hay
den, and signed by her husband.
What did it mean?
She knew that $500 was half of Jacks
little savings in the bank; but why did
he send it to her now, and why did he
not come home?
The tall, slim young man was with
her yet; and having listened to what
Stella had to say, he went directly to
the mill.
Here his worst fears were confirmed.
He returned to Stella.
''They tell me at the mill that Hay
den left there last evening, and were
much surprised to hear that he had not
been at home. have been puzzling
over it all the way back, and have
come to this conclusion-do you re-
member finding the front door open
last evening? Your Jack must have
come home and caught us kissing each
other, and straightway concluded that
was an old lover"
But what should bring him home
at that timer" queried Stella, in utter
dismay and misery.
Why, the book-keeper was there in
the Office last night, and he said that
Hayden jammed his hand and came
home to have it dressed"
''Oh, Jack, Jack" cried Stella,
throwing herself down upon the sofa.
What terrible mistaken
The young man wisely made no at
tempt to check the storm of sobs and
tears which followed.
He waited until she was quite worn
out and quiet, and then he said:
keep up good heart, little sister;
we'll find him in time. In the mean
time will take care of YOU"
But they did not find him.
Weeks and months went by. A baby
boy came to Stella, but the father was
not there to welcome the small
stranger.
1t was bright, January day, quite
mild for the season, and the brown
limbs of the trees along the curbings
made a pretty network against the
bright blue of the sky.
Stella moved slowly down the quiet
street, thinking how like Jack was the
little fellow who strutted so bravely
along, lifting his chubby feet very
high, and squealing out his delight in
baby fashion.
Pride must have fall.
Carl stepped on bit of ice present
", and down he came with much en-
phasis on the brick pavement.
''Oh, dear me, set life!'' he ejacula-
ted. as big, broad-shouldered man
with brown beard raised him up.
This man had eyes just like his own,
but Carl did not know it.
His mother did though, and Carl was
very indignant when she flew at the
man, laughing, and sobbing, and cry
ing wildly:
Jack, oh, Jackt'
Use 'tonished, mammal" cried Carl
severely, pulling at her dress.
The big man stared at the baby, and
flushed crimson.
''Stella, whose boy is. this?n he asked.
yours, Jack!' cried Stella ioyfully.
Don't he look like you? And oh,
Jack, it was all mistake. 1t was my
brother Charlie whom you saw with
ME. l thought him dead, for I had
heard nothing from him for years. He
had been out in the mines and has
made money-baby Carl and / would
have suffered had he not cared for US. 81
Don't mention it little woman
you break me all up"
And Jack kissed her right there, to
the irreverent hilarity of two ragged
gamins who were watching him from
the corner.
Baby Carl rode home in triumph on
Jacks shoulder, and gravely an
nounced to his Uncle Charlie:
Use got dandy new papa" Fam
ily Story Paper.