The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-10-20
surance was no longer his. In the Bit
terness of this new pain he gave up all
nope that he could ever be wanted any,
Vrhero

nope that he could ever be wanted any
where.
With these thoughts in his mind the
| old man stumbled on. and at last turned
! in at the gate and reached the house
that he called home. He stepped out
of the cold and gloom of the night into
the warmth and cheer of the coy little
hall He paused for moment and
held his thin, chilled fingers over the
register. The grateful warmth stole
in upon his benumbed senses, and
despite his sorrow he felt thrill OF
pleasure. Then as he looked up it
seemed for an instant as if he were
| waking from a painful dream; for there
in the doorway stood winsome little
| maiden, who eyed him with childish
curiosity. The old man was passion
ately fond of children, and his faded
eyes grew wistful as he said in CULVER
ing tones: "Come and see me, little
one"
There was little in the gaunt old man,
with his STOPPING shoulders, thin, spec
tacled face, and shabby, scanty, i'll
fitting garments, to attract child. But
she started toward him, and was almost
in his arms when a sharp voice cried:
Father Wade, what right have you TO
touch her? Come away, Elsie dear, the
ugly old man will hurt you" With
these words Miss Harriet. the younger
of the daughters, led away the child,
and Parson Wade was once more alone.
The look of adherence and terror that
stole over the child's face cut deep into
the old mans heart as his daughter
cruel words failed to do. A slight
moan escaped his lips, but, dreading a
fresh rebukc, he choked back rising
sob and hobbled away into the darkness
of his own room.
Half an honr later the little house
hold gathered at the tea table. Miss
Wade, tall and stately, presided with
cold dignity, and opposite her sat Miss
Harriet and little Elsie, the daughter
of a near neighbor, who had left the
child with the Wade woman FOR the
afternoon. The parson took his seat,
and reverently bowling his head moved
his lips in a murmured prayer of thanks.
Instantly his daughters began clatter
of silver and china while in needlessly
loud tones they began to talk gayly on
some amusing and trifing subject. This
was disciplinary measure in their eyes.
1--WE must break him Of the absurd
habit" they said to each other, in talk
ing the matter over. Come, you've
mumbled long enough cried Miss Har-
riet. ''The toast is getting COOL"
Little Elsie eyed the old man furtive-
ly during the opening of the meal, and
fdgeted uneasily in her chair. She
was timid child, and Miss Wade's re-
mark fingered in her memory.
evil he hurt me now?" she whis-
pered to Miss Harriet, after some min
utes.
''Why, you poor child! Does he
Brighten you? You'd better take your
plate and cup into the kitchen, father
don't wonder the child is frightened.
You really are uncanny tonight"
So Parson Wade was banished to the
kitchen, there to eat his bread and drink
his weak tea alone. He longed for
bit of meat for his supper. and little
cream and sugar for his tea. Once,
months before. he had made bold to
reach for the milk pitcher, but was
stopped by the words: "Do you think
we can afford to provide you with lux
uries-you, who do not earn clear tea
even?" After that he did not offend in
this way again. but to- night he watched,
with almost a feeling of envy. the
sleek, well-fed cat as she Tapped her
brimming saucer Of creamy milk. Lucky /,
cat! There was always enough food for |
her.
On his way upstairs awhile later.
Parson Wade passed the parlor door |
and paused moment to look in. The |
fire was burning cheerily in the CRATE, /
there was cushioned chair before it,
and on the table by the big lighted
lamp was the evening paper. The old
man hesitated. He was never allowed !
in that room, he knew; but the girls
he remembered, had gone to take Elsie
home, several doors away. And that
paper, he was sure, had a long report
Of the conference held the day before
in a neighboring city. The temptation
was irresistible. He sat down in the
big easy chair and began to read. This
weary old Christian veteran, his years
Of active service ended, yearued for
news of the thousands of soldiers in
the thick of the fight, and rarely did a
paper or magazine enter his hands.
That the work he SO loved was still
going on, he felt sure; but in his mar
row, cramped life he longed for de-
tailed tidings of the progress of the
church.
With glistening eyes he read, forget
ing his own sorrows. Half an hour
had passed when hand drew the
paper from his grasp, and his eldest
daughters cold voice said: "You for
get that this room is not intended for
7our use" Miss Wade was never SO
.busive in her language as her hot-tem-
,ered sister, but her icy, sarcastic
words were often quite as cutting.
But tonight her father scarcely heard
he words. He rose mechanically, and
With feeble steps climbed the stairs to
lis chamber. There. in the bare, desc
ate room, with its bit of faded carpet
md its scanty furnishings, shut out
rom the CHEEKY little parlor with its
ire, piano, books and cushioned chairs,
he old man spent the long evenings in
,reary loneliness. There he toiled
'ver his spiritless sermons. trying out
Il his meager, barren life to find some
hing that might bring encouragement
md comfort to some struggling soul.
When the Oil gave out in the little
amp. and the light grew dim, he would
lose his books with sigh and gather
lis papers together: and often. as the
Il Of .x,,,Si1: nd q