Smyrna times., 1892-10-12

you ought to have done. 1 couIdni
nave spared you very well, but y,
never have stood in the way of Won
happiness"
Jean did not answer: she conId not
All her sacrifces-all her love-bad
ended in this-desertion on one side
reproaches on the other. She held nm
trembling hand to stay further words
and then left the room, to hear ber
grief alone.
After that day it became an under.
stood thing that Jack Phillips's name
was not to be mentioned in the MURRAY
household. Jean lived her life in sweet
patlence-her fathers assistant. her
brothers counselor and friend. As
the years went on she changed some
what, her girlishness giving place to a
noble womanhoOd; but her face was
ialr and sweet still, Notwithstanding its
look of suffering.
She never married; for her heart
was true to the old love. But one bv
one her brothers left the farm and
founded homes of their own, until she
ana her father were left alone.
One night, possessed by a spirit of
restlessness, she walked down to the
gate where she had parted for the last
Time from Jack. Why did he seem so
near to her? Why did she feel a new
sensation of pity for him ? Busy with
SAD memories she had not listened To
'ne conversation of neighbor who
was sitting on the porch RETAILING the
latest gossip to her father: but all at
once she caught her breath IS she
heard the words:
They say old Mis- Phillips son Jack
VINO mas been so long away, has come ,
oacK' lie got hurt in mine. and his 3
partner brought him home TO-DAY. i
lie can't get well, they say, and is as |
poor as poverty, after all his wander f
lngs' 1t comes bard on Mis- Pbillips c
TO nave to nurse him alone" C
Jean heard no more. Jack was at t
home-not the strong, manly Jack who
lett her year ago but poor maimed
dying man.
Jack has come back Jack has
come back - she kept saying over and p
over again. Her whole being seemed I"
transformed, and not stopping to don al
her raps she started down the lane bI
toward the cottage Of Mrs. PhilIips al
They needed her there. this noor a.
widow and her unfortunate son. and ca
5ne whose first thought had been the flt
luty she owed to others would not sn
9vade it now. What mattered tho pi
wrong she endured in the past ? All vi
vas forgotten, save suffering fellow ba
'reature needed her service ou
III lew minutes she had reached
ne house. She opened the door and sa,
inferred the kitchen, where Mrs. Phil kp
ps bent YEARLY over a hot fire. les
nave come to help you take care an
t Jack" she said. fou
The sad mother understood and mo
'lthout word led her to the room mo
here Jack lay tossing in delirium. me
Jean Jean ~ he called. "Will Won GRO
OF forgive me? It was all a mistake sew
1 knew not what did Come back rea
9an Oh, Jean Jean !" Of 3
The two women looked into oooh par
hers eyes. '1 a. 6
ne mas been like this ever since he act
me home," the elder said -.
Ihen Jean flew to the bedside OIL 90;
ins her arms about the sick man. =,
- l am here' Jack, " she whispered -.
MS rawlings ceased at once the LIGHT a, "on
turned to his eyes. He lifted U'o"
9Ole hand and caressipelv stroLod .ue
r cheek. have
Jean !" he cried in a glad tone sl sp@'
en- added, kiss me, dear.n And sba 1nl rem
'Sed him while the tears fell on tho Cot,
or SCARED face which was as dear to ~
now as ever.
This was their meeting. Tbero ,. .Sa.
question of fOrgiveness-no refar- aor,,
'e TO That night which must remain
It sbonld q, iaa, OUOV oi tne love from
I sinned and sha -. s"''sileu' He York
hat was all. nun iallel
ne great happiness that came to ana ,
* was his most potent medicine "i.. "nu
ng'ng back health and strength, and tra,,a
eo oy the loving care of Jean ba ''"'o
anne almost his old SELF "our
Ne
'own by the gate onca mono - Augu