The state capital., 1891-06-06
HIS LIFE FOR ANOTHER.
Noble Sacrifice Godfrey Owen
Made for the One He Loved.

It was when Alma Bentley was only
six years old that her father wrote to
me, asking me to come to Starfield and
take the place of governess to his
motherless girl. Amos Bentley was
far-away cousin Of my own, and he had
heard of my recent widowhood, my
anxiety to find some employment. And
out Of the goodness of his heart he
offered me position in his own luxuri-
Gus home that gladly accepted. was
received like sister, and, indeed,
Alma has always called me Aunt Susie.
AS she grew older, masters in music,
drawing and languages assisted me In
her education, until, at eighteen, 1t was
decided that she was to spend a winter
in New-York with her aunt, Mrs. Win
ship, and be introduced to society.
It was natural that girl Of eighteen
should be excited and eager over such a
prospect, but Alma dreaded it with
strange fear for one SO young. Had she
been a French girl of two centuries
earlier, she would, most assuredly,
have been "a nun, and often told her
SO in lest Yet, in most serious earnest,
/ knew that had never seen or heard
of girl in this bustling, busy age OF
ours SO pure of heart, SO deeply devout,
SO modest and tender as Alma Bentley.
She was very fair, rather pale than
rosy, vet not sickly-looking. with wav-
ing hair of light brown, and large blue
eyes, slight in figure, and with look
Of perfect serenity and peace.
s'Allie looks like saint" her father
said to me. 'She seems to have none
of the brightness Of girlhood. Is she
happy"
ssYes. / think she is happy, as fai
as such a plying nature can be. But
the sorrow of others, the crime, the
misery, the poverty she sees press upor
her"
"Why need she see?" he asked quick
lv. sYou do not let her 60 into the vii
lage?" ),
ssShe goes every day. think the mil
hands look upon her as upon an actua
angel"
Mr.. Bentley frowned heavily, walk
ing up and down the long drawing
room
something ought to be done" h
said. But what? What can be done
When Mr.. Rogers built the mills an
houses for the hands he was q rlcl
man with every prospect OF success
before him. For nearly ten years tn
mills prospered, but when he failed
was utterly, hopelessly. No one els
took the place; the mills were CLOSED
and here are some six hundred lam
lies, too poor to get away, out Of work
their savings spent, sickness every
wherel 1t is terrible! give all that
can. but am not rich enough to suppol
whole colony"
.sYour name is in every prayer the
utter" | said, emphatically ALI
goes where there is sickness-whe1
noyerty presses hardest. AS you sa.
You cannot support a colony, b'
Allie gives sympathy, tenderness, TIM
advice, and puts her hand 70 ever.
thing. She makes soup and tea K
the sick; she washes and dresses II
babes whose mothers are i'll; ST
sneaks words Of comfort and hope
her sweet, tender voice, and 81
takes flowers to put in the humb
coffins."
/ quote the conversation to tsho
what Alma Bentley's claim to saint
ness consisted in Not that she ma'
any such claim, for she was as mode
and shy as she was good, but the cha
acter was given to her by all who kne
her.
1t had been decided to take her ava
for several months, from her poor, 81
fering charges, to 60 to the city
dance, to sing, to enter society, we
fine dresses and give herself up to fas
ionable frivolity. Mr.. Bentley, me
indulgent father, was resolute abo
this.
.sShe will be an old woman at TIVE
ty, If she stays here" he said to n
i wish her to 60 to her Aunt Harrie'
was to remain at home, having
many years been housekeeper, as w
es goyerness, and peeded in my oN