Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-07-12
FORGIVEN.
By EDWIN ROBINSON.

with her companion, Cecil Brand, for
the summer. It was very lonely there /;
that was why Mrs. Field liked it. Mrs.
Stryker, the landlady, with her grand
daughter, Bessie, and one servant, were
the only other inmates of the cottage;
and there was but one other house in
sight, beyond on the slope of the hill.
Mrs. Stryker had had summer
boarders before, but none like these;
80 grand, yet so gentle; rich she knew,
from all signs, yet so simple in their
tastes; real ladies, if ever there were
any, she declared to Bessie, her only
confdant. And Bessie, who felt the
charm of the ladies' gentle voices and
gracious words, eagerly assented.
Mrs. Field was no longer young, but
beautiful with beauty that time had
only ripened and perfected; though the
lovely face had deep shadows upon it
that sorrows cruel hand had craven
there, and her eyes had PARKWAY.
wistful, yearning look, as if seeking the
lost happiness that had once been hers.
Her companion was fair young girl,
bright and winsome, and light of heart /;
whose pretty, caressing ways alone
seemed to have power to soothe and
help her friend. For Mrs. Field,
though not i'll, was worn almost to q
shadow by some secret, brooding, gnaw-
ing grief.
Her story was very sad one. She
had been a great beauty, and from
among host of lovers had chosen and
married, when in her thirtieth year,
Charlton Penield, gentleman some
ten years her senior. It was true
"heart marriage" and no wife ever
looked forward to brighter life than
did Mabel Penfield when her proud
husband installed her as mistress of his
beautiful home. For awhile they were
happy-as perfectly happy as it is
granted to mortals to be; till jealousy
that dreadful jealousy which is crueller
than the grave-crept into their para
disc and destroyed it. 1t would be
hard to tell how Charlton Penfeld let
this foe enter his heart and drive out
the great love for his wife which reigned
there. That she was true to him in
every thought and word did not matter;
he was so blinded by this cruel passion
that he had no pity for her, and one
day he cursed her as the destroyer of
his honor and happiness, and drove her,
q pure, sinless, loving woman, out into
the bitter world She was not penni-
less, for her own fortune remained to
her; and, too proud to let the world,
which once had courted and caressed
her, see how she suffered, she went
abroad at once.
Five years passed-lonely, wretched
years. She loved her husband truly
yet, in spite of all, and the memory of
the past was alike q pleasure and a
pain.
The world is not so wide but that
friends and foes meet in time, no matter
how far sundered and in a chance meet
ing with some old-time acquaintance,
Mrs. Penfeld learned at last that her
husband was seeking her. Then began
her weary, restless wanderings; for
fears stirred her heart, and made her
dread that he should find her.
She was not alone now. In London
she had become interested in young
orphan girl, Cecil Brand. who had done
some sewing for her; and finding her,
by birth and education, far above the
her, adopted her as her niece.
She had never regretted that act.
Cecil had become as dear to her as s
daughter, and in all her wanderings
had been her loving, devoted attend
ant.
Mrs. Penfield had dropped a portion
of her name, and, as Mrs. Field, deemed
herself so secure from her husband,
that she had dared 70 come back to her
native land. She knew not why he
sought her-knew not if now, after the
lapse of these eight long, weary years,
he did, indeed, still seek her; but the
fear and uncertainty remained.
%Oh, I want restI" she cried to Cecil.
Then Cecil had diligently studied the
<apers, and seeing Mrs. Stryker's
modest little advertisement, answered
II. and, all arrangements speedily COM
pleted, had taken her Aunt Mabel to
Brookside.
sThe-e, adntie dearl- exclaimed Ce-
ell. triumphantly, the morning after
their arrival, as she settled Mrs. Field
comfortably underneath one of the
great shady pine trees; could you lind
prettier place for your summer rest?
Just breathe this fragrant piney odor;
it is better than all your medicines.
Listen to the ripple of that silvery little
brook; It is so merry, it fairly seems to
laugh at the sunbeams that come steal
ing down through the trees to admire
themselves in its clear surface. And
see Wonder the swelling downs, with the
deep shadows chasing each other over
them; and here comes little Bessie, with
q foaming Jug of fresh milk for you
Isn't it delicious?"
@Yes, dear, delicious, answered Mrs.
Field, taking a deep draught OF the
delightful health giving beverage, which
the kind landlady had sent out to her.
and knowing well that CeciTs de-
..'eious" was not meant for the milk.
Diminishing the bright-eyed little