The National tribune., 1893-03-23

Mother, how could he leave me SO soonf 10
you think he is dead2"
Not dead. hope, darling; but am afraid
that something has happened to him. Now,
Lucy, there is one thing / must say: will
stake my life Richards truth and fidelity;
| don't let the tiniest wedge end of doubt work
| its way into your mind. Dear little girl, you
must wait and hope"
"The clerk at the hotel sent to the police,
| and they searched the hospitals, mother, but
| there one at all like him."
Yet am equally sure that something seri-
Gus is keeping him away. Surely, you don't
doubt Richard, Lucy?"
mo. mother; but would rather he were
false than dead then he might come back to
me-but now -
Dear Lucy, dear child" answered her
mother, we are all of US in Gods hands; Rich
ard well as you and ]. We must hope for the
best"
The next morning Mrs. Ormopd went to
Richards place OF business and saw his employer.
lit is an extraordinary CASE" be said when
he had heard her story. al have the most inn
| plicit faith in the young mans integrity. May
/ ask what you intend to do. Mrs. Ormond?"
Il can do nothing. sir, but advertise in the
New York papers, asking him to communicate
with me. i must attend to my business, and
have my daughter to sustain and comfort"
1--WE must do more than that. maam. have
great interest in the young man, and ] shall
send a detective to New York. Send mo down
| a photograph of him and a description of the
clothing he wore at the time OF his disappear
ance. and in q few days l hope shall send you
| good news"
| month went slowly by, however, without
news, good or bad. and Mrs. Ormond saw that
under the strain Lucy was failing; that if the
| suspense and grief were not ended she would
| probably fall into decline.
The mothers heart was sore and heavy.
l.
| widowhood came back to her memory-long
years during which she had toiled necessarily
that her only child might miss nothing. Hard,
indeed, il was that this should be the outcome
of it all.
Lucy's plight was indeed pitiable at this
time. There were times when she felt she
could endure her suspense and misery no
| longer.
For hours she would sit at her window look
ing out over the tree-tops at the glimpse of
blue sky; the branches were getting bare now
and ratified in the wind. Through them she
could see the houses on the opposite side of the
square. 1t was a drearv and circumscrbed
prospect but it mattered little to Lucy she saw
nothing ofit-rain or Shine were alike to her.
Only at times this apathetic state yielded to q
change that was still more alarming to the
mother, who feared for her darlng's reason ;
at such times she would become possessed of q
nervous energy which had no limits to its en-
ourance. Then she would pace the room
wildly, and as the paroxysm increased would
seize her hat and cloak and wander forth into
the noisy streets as though in search of the
one she had lost.
At first the mother accompanied her, but her
strength was not equal to the task, nor dare
she run the risk of sinking, exhausted, when
Lucy needed her most for after these spells
came reaction which was almost collapse.
At last her doctor said " This must not con-
tinue; we must interest her, find work for her;
she will lose her reason if this goes on"
Work what work can the poor child do in
this state of mind 2" said Mrs. Ormond.
The mothers heart was sad as she climb
the stairs to her girls chamber made cheerful
with flowers and a bright little fire.
As the mother sat by her child in the window
of the room looking out over the square, the
bell sounded below. and the pos:man crossed
from the house to opposite. Lucy saw
him.
"Oh, mother he left something; perhaps it
is news of Richard Do go and see."
The mother sighed as she obeyed her dangh-
ters request. She dreaded the paroxysm that
would follow the crushing of this fallscIous
hope. But she did find letter. addressed to
herself and post marked Brooklyn.
She tore it open and read
ST. JAMES PLACE,
Brooklyn, Nov. 8.
Mrs ORmoND.
Dear Madam have had at my house for the
past month young man, who was brought here
on the evening OF Sept. 30 by two men, who left
him in my charge, giving good references and
paying for a week s care in advance. The patient
suffering at that time from conclusion of
the brain caused by injury to the head. Brain
fever supervened. Tie patient recovered full
consciousness only yesterday being at first too
weak to realize his surroundings. even, after the
fever had left him.
Yesterday he informed me of the circum-
stances OF his marriage, and his uneasiness con.
corning his wife was very painful to behold.
should advise you TO telegraph me if all is
well, and try to bring your daughter here with
out delay; her presence will be his best medi-
cine for he is still in rather precarious con-
dition. Yours to command,
GEORGE TowNE, NJ. D.
With an exclamation of joy that was half
shrek, from the intensity of the relief, the
mother mounted the stairs. Yet at the door
of Lucys room she paused. She must be care
full; joy has been known to kill, and Lucy was
very frail.
At last she opened the door and saw that
Lucy had forgotten the postman, or was afraid
be disappointed.
Lucy, can you bear some good news7"
"oh, mother, what is it? tell me quick,
quick; don't dole ii out to me-"
Richard is alive Lucy he is in Brooklyn"
"And he wrote; why don't you show me the
letter."
No, he did not write; he is i'll; we must 20
to him. If you promise TO bs calm-he Is, has
been, and still is very I'LL will lend you the
letter while go and telegraph"
When she had sent her telegram she re.
turned and found that Lucy was packing her
valise and getting herself in readiness for the
journey; the mist had passed from her brain
and she was the old, bright, energetic Lucy.
thinner and paler than of yore, but still the
same.
The next morning they were in Brooklyn,
and the doctors door opened Hospitality to re-
ceive them. In a few moments they were con-
Quoted to the invalid'B room, after adm on itions
from the doctor as to the danger of exciting
his patient
Unjust draw vail over the first moments of
that meeting. 1t is difficult to conceive the
Joy that filed the hearts Of The two women who
had suffered SO much
When they had seated themselves lucy by
the bedside holding his hand in hers. Richard
said:
What must you have thought OF me,
darling, when i failed TO return? What
scoundrel must have seemed"
HUSH Richard / thought you dead-never
false; and il had doubted you mother would
have put my doubts at rest; she always said
that something had happened to you."
"Dear mother" he said with emotion, "your
faith shall be fully justified"
How were you hurt2" inquired Mrs.
0rmond.