Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1891-11-07
SELWYN'S DAUGHTERS.

DELN " y DlUU1 EIlO.
John selwyn was strong man, but he had
misealculated his strength. He reeled and
caught at the chair, and Tor the moment
there was no light in his eyes. He had asked
for the truth, but merciful Fatherl For
space he covered his face with his hands, and
the silence in the ruom was as the silence Of
death When he raised his head, there was
no resignation In the agonized tones
"How long before the voice died In the
parched throat
The great man looked at him pityingiy,
even bis professional callousness penetrated.
al am sorry to say, Mr. Seiwyn, that
think the utmost limit is two years, but there
is imminent danger within that period. Yes"
he continued, profession trampling pity, sit
Is more than possible that work would bring
on crisis in less than. a twelvemonth. I
shall recommend an absolute cessation from
labor as an imperative necessity"
John Selwyn's tortured heart forced one
terrible cry, and be arose aud tottered to-
ward the man who had told him his fate,
with hands outstretched, in a helpless, i'm
ploring fashion, as though the doom were al
ready upon him. -s..
doctor, doctor, he cried out, .'you have
symptom you have overlooked Oh, God Of
mercyi cannot have it true. Say you have
only been trying my. bofssted endurance. l
know it is bad, but tbeseech you remember
have a wife and children waiting for bread
Oh, cannot have it truerr
The surgeon put his cool, steady hand upon
Selwynis shoulders. II am very sorry, sorry
from my heart he said, with genuine feel
ing, shut II is God alone who can help you
Be man, sclwyn, and try to end.ic the in
eyitable.n -
MIR. Selwyn struggled to regain his COM
posure. AT lengthbe uplfted a gray face,
held by an iron will in the semblance OF
calm. II thank you" he said; the two men
shook hands, and placing the fee upon the
table, he strobe out.~' '+
How Joyous, how care free, how heart
lessly beautiful WIS the world without The
calm. smiling sky with It's serene loveliness,
the generous golden glory, Of the sunlight,
the rare beauty Of the flowers sent thrill Of
repugnant despair. 70 his heart. and IL cried
out: Torture yourself not by gazing upon
what you are about to lose, for yet few
months and the world win be waste to
you A few months, q few months, and he
had counted upon wears! Merciful father,
what were few inUnthsf
All the long journey to his home he sat
with unseeing eyes and bowed head, and
when the cars stopped mechanically he arose
and started for home, but as he hurried into
the street lac stopped. lie could not carry
his news 20 the lowing hearts who had sent
him away with such fond hopes but yester-
morn How could he faee his wife, his chill
dren knowing he must stand heiplessfy and
let them starve. lie wandered around the
streets, passing his acquaintances unheed-
ingly, till the darkness fell. Then manhood
said: s.Be a man. Face the inevitable. Re
member you are driving them wild with
anxiety
He entered his gate. = The windows were
uncurtained, the bright light displayed the
sheen of silver and china. He saw his wifeis
fair face bent over Elsie and Frank, his
sweet lambs Gertrude and Bryan 'wers
standing at the window watching for him.
How he was TO wiring their heartsl As he
entered there was joyous cry of relief, and
they all rushed upon him with eager In
uuiries. But his wife and Gertrude and
Bryan, after one swift glance at his face,
drawn and aged in spite of himself, turned
pale with fear.
Then the mother said: "Come, little ones,
let papa have supper now; he Is very tired.
II was pretense with all save Elsie and
Frank As soon as tho Little ones were In
bed Mrs. Selwyn returned 70 the sitting room
Gertrude was standing by her fathers chair
and Bryan had her curly head upon his knee.
No one was speaking. They had not dared
70 question him. II. =. -.
The wife came over 20 him. "Weilfn she
said in a voice she yainly tried 10 steady.
John Selwyn looked upon the eager faces;
be hated 10 give the death wound % their
hopes, vet IL was cruel 30 Keep them In sus-
pense. He rose and put his arm about his
wife,s shoulders "Ellen,n he answered, ait
Is the very worst ! am to be hopelessly
blind"
They had steeled themselves, but 1t was not
In nature 20 repress that cry. Then there
was silence while they strove TO realize It
Blind hclplessi her husband-whose eagle
eve had foreseen every difficulty, whose
strength had been her pride and glory.
Blindi helplessl that man rejoicing in the
fulness Of strong manhood, made even more
dependent than an infant Blind helpless
their father, who had been to them as an un.
conquerable giant Blindi helplessl when
they had reckoned upon him as az invincible
bnlwark. Blindl terrible fnte-worse than
death. They would not believe il.
But John SeEwypassured them sadly that
il was true, and they turned TO look upon tho
future.
.John,r said the. wife, ~ will he eyes and
hands and ears 70 yea whom the worst comes
we viii face It."
"And you need'hot trouble about money
papa,n AMID Gertrude stanchly. Bryan anS
VIII earn all we WANT
He smiled sadly Poor, inexperiences
children, they knew little how hard il was q
earn q dollar
must fulhll my contract with Whit
comb, he said steadily, "whateyer betides
There Is not 81 600 wei can call our own. w
haven't bean wastefnl but this job will Civ
me $50. which will keep tho wolf away
little while. ought 10 have laid up sonle
thing, but thought had plenty Of time
must see you suffer from my neglect while
am burden to YOU"
"oh, John" said the wife, s'do not "a
that
"PspaT cried the girls In Indignant