Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-07-21


nave oenevea the young wire naa aged ~
years instead of four.
While was dressing the patter of little
feet across the hall and a sweet treble call
ing Mammal prepared me for the en-
trance of the sturdy little urchin sf 2H
years, the heir Of Morton hail. or, as May
proudly introduced hln. "Our boy Har-
vey."
But even the proud light of mother love
only lighted the pale face for O moment, as
taking her boy by the hand May led the
way to the dining room, where the bell had
already announced us.
Here i met my host, courteous and digni-
fed a. ever, charming In conversation and
full of polite inquiry as to Willoughby and
its inhabitants, and here, for the first time,
began TO find some Of the cause Of dear
Mays pale cheeks and sad eyes.
1t was evident to me, though May gave
me no spoken confidence, that the four past
years had been passed In q vain attempt to
win the loving praise that had been her
daily portion in her own home.
John Gordon was liberal, affording the
wife every pleasure we'll filed purse could
give. He was gentle and courteous, and 1t
was evident that he was model husband.
May was self sacrificing and devoted, not
telling even her own heart that she had
any ground for unhappiness, yet surely pin
ing for open, cordial love and praise.
It was fearfully hot night In August
when John Gordon. rapping at my door.
called;
"win you come to Mayi She Is Ill, and
am going for the doctor"
Before morning tiny girl was sleeping
In the nursery cradle, but the mother lay
L. A.. 4 thraa l<..,
we watched the frail life hanging on o
thread, sinking little by little, with no
point of hope for the anxious hearts that
loved her.
The most dangerous symptom, the doctor
assured US, was the patients own apathy
"Jf you can rouse her, )" he said to me, ITO
try to live, she may yet recover. But few
days more Of this dull apathy will surely
kill her."
Then resolved to make one great effort.
With my resolution taken, went after
that interview with the doctor straight to
John Gordon's library. He was sitting In
q weary hstless attitude, but rose to place
q chair for me-
"May Is betters" he asked, with touching
eagerness. his face falling again as shook
my head.
"John," said, plunging at once into my
errand, will you let me speak few plain
words to your have loved May since she
was a tiny baby, and cannot see her die
without an effort to save her. / believe
you love herr"
II would give my life to sec her well
again" he said passionately.
"And yet" said sadly, "'tis your want
of appreciation that is killing her."
II do not understand you," he said. and
he was perfectly sincere when he spoke.
Then very gently I pointed out to him
how faithfully May had filed all wifely
duties.
"But women like these things My
mother always kept the house and table
so" he said.
"Women like them" replied. "True,
loving women like them just in proportion
as they give pleasure to those they love"
"But surely they always give pleasure.
Do you imagine do not know how lovely
my wife is, how patient and carefulf A
mother to my boy, who will make him q
noble, true man. Surely know my wife
Is almost perfect"
'Tell her you know it." said. LET her
sec it in your eyes, feel it in your kiss Go
to her, take her In your arms and tell her
how dreary life will be to you II she is lost.
Bid her live for your sake, and she will not
die"
But the excitement, the agitation" he
said. II have scarcely dared to speak to
her or even to kiss her for fear Of agitating
her."
"And she is dying for want of those very
loving words and kisses"
marched the nurse into the next room
with the baby and then took John to Mays
side. With tenderness more touching
from his natural reserve he bent over the
pale face and spoke one word;
Darling"
She looked into his face and met eyes so
full Of deep, true love that involuntarily
she lifted her weak hands to draw her hus-
band nearer.
Darling" he repeated, and his lip quiv-
cred, "how pale you are, and so weaki oh,
May, my own sweet wife, 1t cannot be you
would die and leave mel When will you
come to me with baby May in your arms,
as you did with Harvey, to ask me II am
not proud to be papa"
'Do you rememberf" she whispered.
"Rememberl Why, May. there is no
word or look of yours cannot remember"
stole away Heart meeting heart was
too sacred for any third party to witness.
An hour later went I'm softly. May was
lying in her husbands arms looking into
his face with loving eyes. Upon her cheek
was faint flush, and the smile that greet
ed my entrance was like the smile of four
years ago.
Baby May was 3 months old before l
was allowed to leave Morton Hall, but
left smiling and bright eyed matron and
q proud, happy husband and father, and
In my heart knew that never again the
cloud would fall upon Mays life that rest
ed there when she thought herself unap-
preciated.-New York Evening Post.
T0VE AND ADN