The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-12-31

mother, and my father died while was
very young, leaving me and my fortune
to the care of my half brother, Richard
Lnfkin.
He strove TO be beth father and broth
er to me.
I'VE loved each other desrly, and
nothing darkered our affection until !
met and loved Philip Bailey You see
how handsome he is row Judge. then,
what be was twenty-four years ago. and
that he was extravagant did not alarm
me.
But We were no sooner married than
trouble began. 1t was my fault | was
exacting to a ridiculous degree, jealous
of every moment of Philips time, and
would not suffer him TO be absent from
my side an hour in peace. Love soon
frets at such authoritative restraint quar-
reIs and reconciIiations followed each
other quickly, and then-alas alas
quarrels when we made no apologies, and
which were not followed by reconeilia-
tions.
The home which We had furnished
with some promises of happy and
peaceful life became a scene of constant
pickering, reeriminations, tears and COM
plants. All this began in such little
things that am ashamed to recall them,
but they opened wide door for far
worse ones.
Children came 10 us-a beautiful boy
and pretty, bright girl Philip was very
fond and proud Of them, and strove hard
to atone for his neglect But instead Of
accepting the present love, l was contin-
ually poisoning the happiest hour by re-
grets for the ones whom he had wantonly
wasted, land by doubts Of his future In
tentions.
Then money began to fail we be
came embarrassed, and my brother refus-
ed Us all further help. When this took
place there was most bitter quarrel. 1
went further passed my brother on
the street, AMI forbade the little children,
who loved him 50 dearly, 70 speek to
him.
At the end Of five years we had to give
up housekeeping and hoard. In another
year we found 1t impossible any longer
TO preserve even the outward semblance
of our former estate, and Philip said We
must 20 to New York.
We left Boston clandestineIy no one
wished Us God spesd, and my brother
was still unreconciIed. The little money
We had soon evaporated in boarding
houses we passed from one to another,
always sinking q little lower, until at
length day came when we had neither
money nor home.
sat gloomiiy down in fearless, sulk-
ing Indifference, and scarcely needed
either tie crying Of myiehildren or the
reDroaehes and promises of Tpr- husband
For he vowed, even then that he would
abandon all his evil ways and work 80
hard, if could trust him once more. I
can see him yet as he stood humbly be-
fore me- | Just raised my eyes, aid
glanced seornfully and incredulousIy at
him.
He went angrIly out, and did not re-
turn Late at night note was brought
me. Il was Philips last word of regret
and farewell. He begged my forgive
ness for his share of our mistaken life,
and for the rest, he hoped 1 would 90
back to my brother Richard, to whom
he had written in nv behalf
That was all I was really III now
fell from one long faint into another, and,
il the midst Of my anguish, Pearl came
wailing into the world. For long time
was quite dependent on the pity and
charity Of my poor neighbors and when
at length l was able to rise and look the
world in the face again, scarcely knew
which way TO turn.
After many weary days I found
position as under music teacher in third
rate school. 1 only got a bare pittznce
for six hours labor day, and had TO give
that up when little Phil and Rosa took
the scarlet fever
And they died ?' / asked.
Both died within twelve hours Of
each other, and even little Pearl was long
i'll. In all those long hours, when stood
thinking and watching between two
worlds, you may be sure my sins ofevery
kind,were brought to my remembrance
One spring night was taking Pearl a
walk up Broadway, in order to let her see
the bright lights and gay shop windows
Suddenly gentleman stepped before
me, and, laying his hand upon my shoul-
der, cried out
Margaret Margaret -
It was my brother Richard. He had
come TO New York Immediately on re-
csiving Philips last letter but Philip
had either forgotten to put my address
in it, or had supposed would 20 to Bos-
ton at opce. He did not find me, though
he had looked long and spent much mon
ey In seeking me. He had then return
ed to Boston, sought me there, and, fail
ing also, he had come back to New
York.
Well, | never again knew what it
was to have an ungratifed want, or TO
miss loving care for every hour. hope
and believe that valued these blessings
now at their true worth. Richard and I
spent many happy years together, and
for many of them made every effort to
trace my lost husband
$50 Pearl grew to womanhood, and
we we're happy. On her seventeenth
birthdav we determined to have eur
pictures painted, and chance remark
sent US to Signor Roma's studio, where 1
also met you One day just as we we're
leaving the city. we called there 10 ask
him to visit us during the summer. He
was busy on historical painting, but as
we entered. dismissed his model and put
aside his brushes.
The model took his hat sadly up. bow
ed to Roma, and advanced to the door.
As he passed Us he glanced at Pearl, and /,
being detected, made a movement Of
apology and went on It was encugh-I
know him With q rapid movement I
placed myself before the door, and