Middletown transcript., 1893-05-27
LOVERS TWO, "A WOOING CAME.

auu cOlQ 10 me 5lncC ODcl0 Dennis
died. The three little children clung
to me In the most pitiful way, and my
heart almost broke for them when the
lawyer told me that they would have
nothing in the world after everything
was settled up. They came to me when
the lawyer was gone, sweet little Mary,
and Bess and Ben, the jolly twins,
couldn't tell them then, their grief was
too new, and besides how could they
understand? 1t was OF the third day
that letter came from Charlie, and
my heart lightened even before the en-
velope was opened. The letter was
like all of his, tinged with little sad
ness on account of my recent bereave-
ment. In the letter he urged speedy
marriage, and l was so sorry to be
obliged to tell him that the children
were left without a penny, and that |
could not leave them. | felt so sure Of
Charities sympathy, for Uncle Dennis
had been so good tn US both. He had
taken me, little orphan girl, who was
not-his niece at all, and cared for me
as though had been daughter. And,
having Known Charlie's father. he Sc
cured for the boy position that had
been q great advantage to him. OF
course had expected him to feel for
the little ones of his old friend In
stead of writing, Charlie came. / saw
him as he walked quickly up to the
door, and myself ran to let him in. How
handsome he looked in the stylish city
clothesI | felt so proud aud safe as he
kissed me. Then we went into the
parlor and it all happened. Even |
now, after so many years, | cannot |
think Of it quite composedly. He had
plan and at once unfolded it. The
children could go TO an asylum and We
could be married at once. Wheu he
had said it all, the room seemed to be
whirling round with me. ! pressed
both hands to my head before | could
answer.
Uncle DiDnis didn't ut me in an
asylum Charlie; cannot send them to
one. l will not"
Charlie laughed his handsome eyes
on my face.
"Then what are they to dop" he
asked.
They will go wherever | go9" re-
piled.
Again be laughed.
Now, Allie, wouldn't we cut a
pretty figure in New York boarding
house with three children? No, thank
you, my dear, 1 cannot submit to T."
II can work for them, Challie,"
said, strange pain in my heart; Il
can take care of them until they are
older; l can't leave them. | am a
good nurse; canmake enough money,
and Margaret will live v ith them; she
couldn't leave them any more than |
can.'
Charlie made little gesture of i'm
patience.
"Allie, all that is sheer nonsense. |
don't want an old maid for my wife, and
do you think my mother would receive a
girl Who had been a common nnrse?"
The pain in my heart had grown to
terrible agony, but all the time | felt
wild joy at the thought that l was
not obliged to listen to Charlie's cruel
plans. don't know just what l said, :
my head was SO hot, and my hands
were so cold, but know he stood be- !,
fore me; his cruel handsome face was
all could see, and l longed to go away !.
from him.
''Choose between me and the chill
dren, Alle," he said, and for answer 1
took my pretty engagement ring off >
and laid it on the table beside him;
then, for fear he might know some- Z
thing of what it cost me, raised my
head bravely aud left the room. L
How cried and sobbed when / knew
he was gonel After that there wasn't !
much time for grieving over lost lovers.
1 knew how impossible it would be to !
find work in our dear, sleepy little :
town, so we took the children. Margaret
and 1, and went to larger, buster u
town. We rented rooms and then l u
began to look fof work. L
There was an advertisement asking !,
for nurse, in one Of the papers },
bought a few mornings after We were !,
settled, and l went to answer it in "
person.
The house was large, gloomy place, !,
far back from the street, with grand ;,
Did trees in front of it. A servant met ;,
me at the door, and when 1 had told :.
my business she said:
'You are too early; DR.. Murray will i
not be here till twelve, and he is to 3
choose nurse for my mistress" te
Her voice and face were kind, SO "
.ook courage to ask: W
DO you think might see your mis- e.
ress, or wait for the doctor to conner"
The woman smiled. "Just sit down o.
! moment; LII go ask Miss Ellington"
When she came back she said | u
night 60 up stairs, and showed me the IL
Dom; SO in little while was stand c.
Dg before the lady who needed nurse.
Miss Ellington didn't look like an in W
1alid; she sat in large chair before sa
cheerful fire, and the room looked bare W
Ind cold in spite of the rich furniture
q it. el
land now who are you?" asked Miss C
Ellington. looking sharply at me, as III
he motioned me to be seatsd. "
When told her her my name she SC
epeated it: wilder, that is not oi
,ery common name; where have you az
ived?" %