Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-15

wouAu never lower me IN the eyes OF
the world.
Il married Lydia, Bellies mother, in
accordance with his views She was a
stern, cold being, IN excellent wife, a
model OF q woman of the world. ad-
mired her exceedingly. l mover loved her
at oil, and when she died and left me with
two motherless little girls. I only missed
her. just as one would any valuable COM
panion. Shortly after her death 1 met
your mother, whom on resemble. Olga,
saving that she had not the hard EXPIRE s.
sion your face sometimes wears.
She was Southern girl, loving, gem
tie, merry as a little child; as different
from me as the sun from the cold light
OF the stars. She was afraid Of me; my
harsh nature repelled hers. l alarmed
her, l awed her with my dignity She
never loved me as she might have loved
gentler husband; but she was POOR and
was rich. and she allowed her people to
induce her to marry me. knew it,"
He groaned and covered his face with
his hand, and the tears were in his eyes
as he continued:
A more generous sutton would have
silenced his love for her. and not have
allowed her to sacrifice herself for him,
but was selfish and proud. and even to
myself 1 would not acknowledge the
child did not love me. l brought her
here to this cold gloomy house, which
my former wife had given such a COM
fortress appearance. Poor Dolores! She
wandered through the cheerless rooms,
and her face grew pale. and her eyes tear
full. knew she was unhappy, but would
not believe it. I loved her; did not
want guests or gayety. l made her stay
here, because l loved her, alone with me,
when l saw she was wretched.
Il gave her everything to make her life
pleasant. l allowed her every luxury but
freedom. for loved her too much to per-
init her to enter society. could not bear
to think other men should see her, adj
mire her. love her, perhaps, and l guarded
her jealously from the world"
He paused and sank back exhaus ted.
Olga fastened to give him a cordial, and
he presently revived and resumed his
story.
Years before your birth my only sister,
frivolous. vain, selfish girl, eloped with
her music teacher, and my father forbade
her name to be mentioned be ore him.
The disgrace of an alliance with person
in that position reused my pride, and
once heard my wife's pleading for my
sister with hauteur. For the only time
during our marriage I answered my dar-
ling coldly, harshly, and saw her shrink
from me in distress.
She was never the same to me again
always treating me kindly, deprecatingly.
from the day of your birth she was deli
cate, but slowly she loosened her hold ON
life, and left me alone in the world, caring
for you.
when they laid her in the old family
vault, l bestowed all the love had given
her on you. made you my idol. Olga,
You must have seen why you were dearer
than oil else; you now understand why
your sisters were not the same to me as
you
II was jealous Of the whole world for
every one, yet it seemed impossible to
spoil you.
when you were about four years old,
your grandfather came to me and told me
he had just received q letter from your
aunt, begging forgiveness. and pl aiding
groat poverty. 1 knew he desired me to
ask HIM to forgive her, to take her back
home.
"Iwould nave done so had she not men
toned, in eulogstic terms, her baby girl
She described the child as being SO beau
tiful, SO lovely in character, grew jeal-
GUS of her for you.
Olga, do not de pise me for the weak
ness; but l induced yoar grandfather to
give the letter no heed, reused his wrath
against his disobedient daughter, and he
died without seeing her.
AI0o years ago, tu0 ldSt tlu0 n6arO
from Grace, my sister, she wrote that she
was an invalid, for life. and that they
were starving; again she described her
child. !. seltishly afraid of marring my
cbildren's future, paid no heed to the
epistle for o month, then l sought out
the house at which they had lived; they
had gone"
Again he paused.
IL tried to believe it was fate that had
fol nn fkny ~ I kr,n %
silence conscience in vain. Every day
since that time have been haunted bv a
sense of wickedness. and for the last year
have sought everywhere, secretly, how
ever, for my sister and her child.
Il could not find them, Olga; to you I
bequeath the mission. Find that girl,
save her from sin; remember how wronged
her, and have patience with her; share
with her, and teach her to forgive me.
Can you Olga?"
Il will" promised the girl. What is
her manner"
christian Verina; and Olga, no matter
in what position you find her, no matter
how evil and sinful she may be, do not
forget placed her whore she is, and for
my sake have patience with her faults.
Il will not forget, said Olga, simply,
aud she obeyed.
The interview was over, but the two
women, watching him as he drifted OFF
into q light slumber, knew he was at
peace, for the troubled expression had
left his face forever.
Day had merged itself in night when
he at last awoke.
His two eldest daughters and Olga had
gathered about his bedside, for they had
been warned he was dying.
He saw them with glazed eyes!
promise. he p0sDed "DrOmiSo. each
of you, to be good to little Christian.
Olga, never forget"
Those we're his last words. He
stretched his arms out toward the girl,
then fell back dead, trying to speak.
Afterward Lydia and Belle asked Olga
what he meant by speaking of her prom
Use.
Briefly, softening anything like re-
proach to the dead, Olga told them about
her strange bequest.
They listened wonderingly and sur
DriR0d