The morning call., 1893-09-18
FOR A WOMAN.

I was an orphan. James father and
mother had rescued me from the work
house, and when they died | promised
them TO stand by James through life. In
those days we were both apprenticed 10
fourishng eabnet-maker.
Time went on, we finished our appren-
ticeship and were in q position to earn
money On our own account. Our native
town was a small. stagnant country one.
Ii offered but little scope for our advance
ment. We therefore resolved to go to
London.
Before long we succeeded in gaining
employment with large firm whose lac
tories were situated in Bermondsey. Here
we remained for several years. and here
we made the acquaintance of Mary Jack
son. We met at the house of a mutual
friend, and from the first moment of our
meeting her | believe that James and /,
unknown to each other, fell in love with
Mary. For myself. l can only say that
loved her very truly and dearly.
In tb OSe days The was young and attrac-
tive girl, possessing peculiar charm of
manner in addition TO large share OF good
looks. For six months w0oed her steadily,
if silently. and [ began tn fiatter myself
that she returned my affection.
One Saturday afternoon, on brilliant
L
pains with his toilet. Man like, chaffed
him on the subject, and after a while he
con feSsed he was going to take a young
lady down the river in one of the penny
steamboats,. A sudden impulse prompted
me to ask the young lady's name. lie
turEed upon me with laugh and laid his
thin, nervous hands on my shoulders. We
were like two brothers, James and ], and
until now never had secret from one an
other.
"WhyI Tom, you blind old MOLE" he
cried, with a sudden flush. How can you
ask? The only girl l care to take out on a
half holiday is Mary Jackson. Surely, you
must know that"
All at once it flashed upon me that
James and L were in love with the same
woman. Suppressing an oath, L turned
away, a demon of jealousy tearing at my
heart strings. 1t was a glorious July
afternoon, the sun shone with pitiless
power, causing the heated air to dan ce
and culver as it assembled.
1t was one of those afternoons which by
rights should cause a man of five and
twenty to rejoice in his youth and
strength. But as l heard James shut our
liviDg-room door, whistling blithely as he
walked away, | could take no pleasure in
anything.
Sc fierce was the struggle / fought with
myself that it proved almost a relief when
one autumn day James announced his en-
gagement. l took Mary's hand in mine
and, forcing a faint smile, said: Dear
Mary, henceforth let US be as brother and
sister"
Thew were married in the spring. Four
years passed away ana two children we're
born TO them-a boy and girl
People often wondered why L remained
bachelor For answer l would take
Mary's female child on my knee and say ::
This is my sweetheart. L want no o her. ."
For many months past trade had been
Il ead Fia A II 81 l.
employers of labor were parting with their
hands, owing to the terrible stagnation of
business. James and l lived on in con-
slant dread of receiving notice. Our spirits
were affected by the prevailing depression
and matters looked serious indeed when
tile bank broke lii which We had stored
our earnings.
James worried him self into a grave i'll
ness. Things were bad enough for both
OF US, but they were worse for him than
for me, since lie had wife and two chill
dren to support.
He had barely recovered when a formal
notice TO quit was served upon him. 1t
was useless to seek employment else
where, for every factory i'll the kingdom
was similarly affected. Starvation stared
James, his wife and family in the face.
At this iuncture i came forward and
offered James my place
was a single man, [ said, and could
shift for myself. The bad times must
surely pass, and at any rate l had no help
less beings depending on me for liveli-
hood.
James was profuse in his thanks. The
next day he stepped into my shoes, and |
was left without any means of subsistence.
One week passed after another. my little
stock of ready money became exhausted,
and still l was unable to meet with fresh
situation.
l avoided James sedulouslv. Neither he
nor Mary bad the slightest idea of my con-
diton. Once, while wandering aimleSsly
abGut the streets. l saw Mary in the dis
tance. would not speak to her. L turned
and fled as il for my life.
Later on | think | must have grown a
little light headed, for | said to myself (:
why should she look so pretty and rosy
while | am diving for want OF To-day,
literally starving? James has robbed me
Of everything. First he took my love, and
now he has taken my place. have borne
enough for bis sake There are limits to