Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1890-07-25
awas that there is no incumbrance--no

proudly. "The property is ours, in fee
simple, every plank, every nail in It,"
"Thats well, that's WE'LL" said Mr..
Lewis. "Every married man should have
a home of his own, If he possibly can
no matter how modest it may be-"
sYour father seems little odd to-
night" said John, when the old man was
gone.
ssDo you think there can be anything
wrong with him2" asked Jane, anxiously.
"Well, it did appear to me that there
was troubled look in his face"
ooh, but john" said the wife, "you
know that he always has serious ex-
preston"
cit is something more than serious to-
night" said John. "But l have been
very foolish to tell you this, my dear; it
will only worry you, and, perhaps, after
all, it is merely fancy of mine."
But Jane had noticed the troubled look
on her fathers face, though she had tried
to persuade herself that it was only his
usual gravity little more pronounced,
perhaps, yet nothing to cause anxiety, at
all events.
About week after this visit, the min
lister who officatcd in the church which
the family attended called upon the
Wards. This was nothing unusual, but
the hour that he chose on this occasion
was most unusual. 1t was very early in
the morning, when the household was
just beginning to stir.
Mr.. Baxter asked to see Mr.. Ward and
after short conference with him John
went up to his wife's room. When he
appeared again he was holding James
hand, keeping it in his as he led her
down the stairs. His manner toward her
was even more gentle than usual, and the
way in which he led her, as though she
were little child, seemed strange. She
looked up in his face inquiringly, and
saw there a grave expression that filled
her with vague sense Of uneasiness.
sWhat is it, John?" she asked, as
they were about to enter the sitting
| loom.
"Mr. Baxter will tell you, my dear, "
replied John, pressing her hand.
Jane was sure now that something
dreadful had happened, and she was so
dazed when she entered the room that
her husband had to put his arm around
her and lead her to the sofa, on which
he gently placed her, taking his seat be-
side her.
.Mrs. Ward-Janc, said the minis
| ter, "you were always sensible girl
one to be relied on, and we rely en- you
now-your husband and 1"
Eyes, Jane" said John, pressing hel
hand.
80, john" said Jane, resting heI
cheek against his shoulder and looking
up in his face with fearful eyes, "tell me
what it is. tell me-don't keep me in this
suspense"
John looked at the preacher, who
nodded his head.
"Do you remember, dear, he said,
''the last time your father was here
told you he had a troubled look"
eyes, l remember" replied JANE
tremulously. Something has happened
to him. He has met with some misfor
tune-he is i'll. What is it"
She had lifted her head from her hus
band shoulder and drew little back
still looking in his face. What she saw
there told of worse than illness.
ssOh!" she cried, letting her head droI
upon his breast, II know! know! Pap'
is dead"
Mr.. Baxter quietly left the room, ant
John Ward sat silently holding his weep
ing wife in his arms.
After awhile he said few smoothing
words to her, and then suggested tina
they should go to her mother.
"Yes," she said gently, "that is where
l ought to be. We will go at once"
Mrs. Lewis was overwhelmed with
grief. Frivolous though she had been
and fond of foolish display, she had loves
her husband-how dearly she had neve
known until he had passed out of he
life.
Edith and Julia had been all the morn
ing in their own rooms, crying and sob
bing internationally, and looking owe
the fashion plates for the styles in whicl
they should have their mourning made
leaving their mother alone with her grief
and when Jane came she clung to her a
to stay of comfort.
Much of James time was now devote'
to her mother, who could not bear t
, have her away from her for any grea
length of time.
"Ah, Jane, my DEAR" she said on
, day, ''little do we think when we or
wasting time on the follies of the world
3 how very short life is, and how soon W
may have to part with those we love
] Never, my child, let anything win yo
away from the side of your husband; fo
{ if you do, the time will come when 20
will thing with regret of the many
> many hours lost to you and him, for th
! sake of things that give no real bapp
7 ness"
"You need have no fear of tina
S mamma, said Jane; "there is nothin
e the world can offer that would Undue
$ me to spend an hour away from job
that could be spent with him."
!, When Mr.. Lewis's affairs were woun
up, it was found that there was little {
G his once considerable wealth left for I'll