The Van Buren press., 1893-05-20
REUNITED BY DEATH.
A Sad Story of a Separated Busband and
-. Wlfe.

The baby was dead, and its poor
young mother, worn out by her long
watch, lay in the dead sleep of exhaus-
tion. Every one else had expected the
child's death long before, but the DESC
late mother-heart had hoped up to the
very last gasping breath that God
would work miracle in answer to her
agonized prayers, and it seemed to her
that the end of all things had come.
Only few squares away the baby's
father sat in his cheerless boarding
house chamber, holding in his trem-
bling hand the newspaper containing
the only notice he had received of his
childs death. His own little daughter,
and yet he had never seen her.
Manly Pratt and his wife (of month
only had been lovers ever since their
first term at kindergarten, and until
they married had always been the best
of friends. But it seemed as If the
wedding ceremony had been the key to
unlock all the bad temper both pos.
sessed; they had quarreled on their
wedding night-differed as to the loca.
ton of the new home, and separated
pSSdusU VI u aIouk lcCilclib cOuCcIuIuR
the hanging of her great-uncle's por-
trait She had gone back to her mother,
and he to his bachelor ways, and after
much trying had succeeded in persuad-
ing himself that he no longer missed
her. And now this little obituary no.
tice had suddenly shown him how mis-
taken he was
Presently he went out and ordered
some flowers sent to the house. "What
kind?' asked the florist. and after
moments hesitation he answered.
"White crysanthemums,' with sad
recollection of how many times he had
taken similar blossoms to Jennie in
those happy days before they had mar
ried and-parted. Poor little girl
he muttered, chow lonely she will be-"
and then, resolving to forget her, he
went to bed All night he dreamed
much of the baby, but more of Jennie,
and when, next morning, he remem-
bered that the funeral services would
take place at noon, he decided to attend
them. sHe.iL
He went to the church fthe one TO
which they had SO often gone together,
and in which the unluclsy wedding had
been performed) early, and seating
himself in dark corner, watched her
follow the little white casket in He
could not see her face through the
heavy Grape veil which covered It, but
he remembered how he had once seen
her look over the death of pet kitten,
and he knew how the sweet lips would
culver and the soft eyes fill. He won
dered sadly why they could not have
lived happily together. s {.
When the service was over he hastily
left the church and stood on the pave
ment close to the hearse, determined to
see the last of his unknown child.
Suddenly he started, for there close to
his elbow stood Jennie. AS the car
riage door closed she saw him, and with
heartbroken look turned away.
There were tears in his eyes as ha
looked after her, and not all Of them
were for the baby. pF
He seemed to pass the next few days
in mournfuli dream from which he
walked to find himself riding down town
in the same street car with Jennie. In
a moment his mind was made up. He
would speak to her, tell her how sorry
he was, and ask her to make UP again.
He forgot how many, times he had
sworn never to make the first advances:
he forgot his pride and his anger, he
only remembered that the slender, sad.
looking girl across the car was his wife.
But how to geta chance to address her?
II he took seat beside her, she might
refuse to listen to him, even if he could
induce either Of the fat old ladies' who
.overfowed upon her to change places
with him. But while he considered this
question the blessed (?) cable broke,
and very soon the car was deserted by
everyone save Jennie and himself. He
had decided that If she left the car he
would follow her, and she had somehow
OWNED his purpose and resolved to stay
where she was 'ait
For while he gazed sadly at her,
and she looked down at the pocket
book so firmly clasped in her nervous
fingers. Then he crossed the car and
seated himself by her side. s'Jennie,"
he whispered, trying to take her hand;
and, though she drew hastily away and
turned her head from him, he saw that.
u tear gathered and chung to the long
eyelashes nearest him, and he took
courage. Jennie he said again, soft
ly. There was no answer, but the tear
fell with little. splash onto the big
pearl button OF her coat, and this time
shSdid not resist his hand. Then he
boldly put his arm around her and,
drawing her to him, murmured: "Jen-
ME, dear, let's be friends again" sPm
willing" She answered, with great
sob. sal siri5 i, .stsratIetA fs asii
A little later the conductor entered
and, seeing their affectionate attitude,
stared ont of the opposite window
while he remarked loudly: Gables
joined again, Sir" San right" was
the cheerful answcr;s"so are we," and
Jennie blushed, whileth good natured
conductor smiled broadly. Hehad seen
several such scenes in his nine years ON
the street railway. Now all this hap
pened some time ago, and the first baby
which followed and was named after
the little dead peacemaker has also
taken its departure, but the bereaved
parents are happy couple, in spite Of
their natural sorrow, and perhaps,
sometime, another may take its place.
Ethel Maude Colson, in Chicago Inter
Ocean.
Fh Women as Financiers.
i First Attendant at Church Fair