The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1892-06-04

And now to think that you have to
clothe me that | may not disgrace
you in the eyes of our friends. 1t
hurts
The visits OF the Morgans lasted a
week; it was the first time they had
come to their old home since their
marriage, sixteen years ago
We never could afford it, Mr..
Morgan said to his host, the morning
OF his arrival. If we ever saved
dollar or two it was needed for the
children-hve of them, you know.
Bessy ard | could not spend it on
ourselves. So you can guess the
delight with which we read your
letter and found that we could really
see the old house again.
He gave his friends hand hearty
wrench, looking into his face with
glowing eyes. Much of William
Morgan's power over man lay in his
genial, affecGonate nature and in his
gay courage. Among his old class
mates now his laugh rang out as
when he was boy. This was dur
ing the first day of his visit; after
that his wife noticed that he grew
grave and thoughtful On the night
of the banquet he came home with a
haggard face, and sat down beside
her without a word.
Are you not going to tell me
about it, Will? she said. You have
been looking forward to this reunion
as the happlest day in your life.
Were all of your old friends there.
Yes, he said, rousing himself.
Only one or two we're absent. 1t
was very pleasant to hear the accounts
of their lives. The boys have been
very successful, as rule Two or
three have made brilliant regulations
at the bar, one is an eminent surgeon
and several are enormously rich. like
Jack Horseley. I-he stopped, rose
walked nervously to the window,
with houseful of children, am starry
ing on six hundred year, he broke
forth passIonately.
Mrs. Morgan did not answer at
once; usually her face burned bright
and clear. But she was human, and
she had seen Mrs. Horseley's butler
glance at her gown tonight, recog-
nizing it as one of his mistress, and
Mrs. Horseley had amused her by
showing her little girls Partisan
toilets for the coming winter. Mrs.
Morgan turned over the daint con-
fections, smiling, thinking of her
own girls patched shoes.
Why, she thought, should this
child be wrapped in velvet and lace
while mine have not fannels to keep
them from the cold?
The question is as old asthe world;
so was the doubt that looked out Of
the eyes of wife and husband as they
faced their life that night.
Do not tell me l made a mistake!
he said almost fercely, turning on
her. | chose to serve God instead
of making money. l thought l was
right.
You were right, Will. But her
tones W ere dull and cold. Let US go
to sleep now. wish we had not
come here. l am glad we are going
back to. morrow.
They were at breakfast the next
morning; the shabby little trunk had
been sent to the station. The world
probably looked different to them
both in the healthy morning light.
Mrs. Morgan's blue eyes had regain
ed something of their happy calm.
She was watching Lucy Horseley
critically, and thinking that her own
girls had stronger muscles and
stronger brains with which to meet
the world. Life had compensations.
just balances, after all. Her husband
was talking to Mr.. Harseley.
| asked Tom Hare about the
family, he said, but he evaded the
question.
No wonder! He had son who
went to the dogs. So did Caridon's
boy. The usual story of American
lads, born to huge fortunes, launched
on life without work or sense of re-
sponsibility, and a vast sum to
spend! Your sons will have a tre-
mendous advantage in being poor,
with education, with principle, and
the necessity upon them Of exerton.
You may not see it, but 1t is true.
had not seen it, said Mr.. Nor
gan with a sudden laugh, which
seemed to come from his heart. l
see it now.
Before they had finished breakfast
the waiter came up to see Mr.. Nor
gan.
A lady to see you, sir. told her
you were going to leave town in
few minutes and were engaged, but
she was very urgent.
The clergyman rose hastily and
went down to the library. A
woman plainly dressed stood waiting
for him. She came hastily to meet
him, evidently controlling some
deep emotion.
| will not detain you, Mr.. Morgan.
but l may never have the chance to
speak to you again. have some
thing to tell you.
| am in no haste. Be calm, he
said kindly.
l must tell you. l owe my life-I
owe more than my life-to you. l
was a poor seams,ress, i'll paid,
hungry, wretched A married man
who said he loved me offered me