Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1893-11-16
FOR THE LOVE or A WOMAN.
BY MRS. EDWARD KESNARD.
rconsrirhl. 1895. by The Anthor.l

workhouse, and when they died, /
promised them to stand by James
through life. In those days We were
both apprenticed to ilourisbing cab
met maker
Time went on, we finished our ap-
premiership, and we're in a position
tc earn money on our account. Our
native town was a small, stagnant
country one. 1t offered bat little
scope for our advancement. We
therefore resolved to go to London.
Before long we succeeded in gain
ing employment with large firm,
where we remained for several years,
and here we made the acquaintance
of Mary jackson. 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 loved her
very truly and dearly.
For six months l wooed her steadi-
", if silently, and | began to flatter
myself that she returned my affec-
tion.
One Saturday afternoon, on brill
liant July day, noticed James TAX
ing unusual pains with his toilet.
Mau.like, | chaffed him on the sub
iect, and after a while he confessed
he was going to take a young lady
down the river. A sudden impulse
prompted me to ask the young lady's
name. He turned upon me with a
laugh, and laid his thin nervous hands
on my shoulders. We were like two
brothers, James and !, and until now
had never had a secret from on an
other.
"Why! Tom, you blind, old mole,
he cried, with a sudden flush. How
can you ask2 The only girl | care to
take out on a half holiday is Mary
Jackson. Surely, you must know
that"
And then he laughed again-a joy
Gus, ringing laugh, full of hope and
happiness.
Suppressing an oath, l turned
away, demon of jealousy tearing at
my heart strings. 1t was glorious
July afternoon; 1t was one of those
afternoons which by rights should
cause man of 25 to rejoice in his
youth and strength. But as | heard
James shut our living.room door,
whlstling blithely as he walked away,
1 could take no pleasure in anything.
Despite the suns brightness in that
hour the world seemed very dark to
me. A fierce battle ragged with my
breast. l loved Mary Jackson with
depth which | now relied for the
first time. Moreover, l believed that
l was not wholly indifferent to her.
On ther hand, | had promised
James father on his death bed to
guard over his son, and shield him as
far as lay in my power from sorrow.
How should l be keeping that prom
Use if |, James trusted friend and
companion, carried off the prize he
coveted2
Hour after hour prssed. | took no
heed of time. My good and evil an
gels waged desperate war. Each in
turn strove for supremacy. The one
urged me to give up Mary--to cease
my attentions and let her suppose
that the affection which I had hither-
to shown was Of tickle and unstable
character; the other counselled the
immediate declaration of my love
and the laceration of James feelings,
in order to secure my own happiness.
For long while, and to my ever
lasting shame, l listened to the voice
of the Tepmter. By and by the sun
sank behind the grimy chimney pots
opposite. Twilight stole over the
heated town, and laid her soft cool
fingers upon it.
The sky grew deep and tender.
One by one the stars shone out. The
stiffness Gained the fever of my brain.
Little by little my thoughts became
less personal and material.
If James were happy--James, and
Mary, too; what did 1t matter about
me? was strong, whereas James
was delicate; and surely God meant
the strong to help the weak along the
weary road .of life. | would be brave
and sell. sacrificing, and James should
never know that whilst he had spent
the afternoon in sunshine. | had
passed it prey to the most bitter
anguish which mortal man can ex-
perlence. r. .r.
Ali my little bird, my darling, if
in the week that followedI wounded
you by my seeming indifference and
reserve, the Lord in heaven knows
that my intentions were good. |
I sought only your happines, and also
my brothers.
So fierce was the strugnle fought
with myself that it proved almost a
relief, when, one autumn day, James
announced his engagement.
They were married in the spring.
Four year passed away, and two chill
dren were born to them-a boy and q
girl
People often wondered why | re,
NAMED bachelor. For answer,
would take Mary's female child or
my knee and say: This is my sweet
heart. | want no other.
For many months past trade hac
been in most depressed condition
All the big employers of labor were
pairing with their hands, owing tt
the terrible stagnation Of business