Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-05-01
RECLAIMED.

Pill, May Gordon, 10 pass few Of the sum-
mer weeks at Morton Hill
May had been my music scholar In the
days when she was May Reeves, before
John Gordon came "a-woolng."
As the coachman opened the door lit
tie figure ran down the broad stone steps
and was In my arms In a moment, half
laughing, half sobbing, caressing me and
kissing me, with loving words Of welcome.
Leading mo to beautifully appointed
room, May allowed me there to get my
first real look into her face.
When / had seen 1t last, IL had been
round and blooming with the fresh young
beauty Of lS. AS looked now could
have believed the young wife had aged 10
years instead Of four.
While was dressing the patter Of little
feet across the hall and sweet treble call
ing mamma" prepared me for the en-
trance of the sturdy little urchin OF 2K
years, the heir of Morton Hall, or, as May
proudly introduced him, Our boy Har-
vey."
But even the proud light of mother love
only lighted the pale face for a moment
as, taking her boy by the hand, May led
the way to the dining room, where the
bell had already summoned rs.
nifled as ever, charming in conversation
and full Of polite inquiry as to Willoughby
and Its inhabitants, and here for the first
time began TO find some Of the cause OF
dear Mays pale checks and sad eyes.
1t was evident to me, though May gave
me no spoken confidence, that the four
past years had been passed In vain at
tempt to win the loving praise that had
been her daily portion In her own home.
John Gordon was liberal affording his
wife every pleasure well filed purse could
give. He was gentle and courteous, and
IL was evident that he was a model hus-
band.
May was self sacrificing and devoted, not
telling even her own heart that she had
any ground for unhappiness, yet surely
pining for open, cordial love and praise.
1t was a fearfully hot night In August
when John Gordon, rapping at my door,
called:
"Win you come to Mayy She Is Ill, and
I am going for the doctor"
Before morning tiny girl was sleeping
In the nursery cradle, but the mother lay
in a dangerous stupor. For three long
weeks we watched the frail life hanging
on thread, sinking little by little, with
no point Of hope for the anxious hearts
that loved her
The most dangerous symptom, the doc
tor assured us, was the patients own
apathy.
IF you can arouse her, he said to me,
Ito try to live, she may yet recover. But
a few days more Of this dull apathy will
surely kill her.
Then / resolved to make one great effort.
With my resolution taken / went, after
l,at a., ,l.N a twIt 80,
John Gordon's library. He was sitting In
a weary, listless attitude, but rose to place
a chair for me.
"May is betteri" he asked, with touch
ing eagerness his face falling again as /
shook my head.
John" l said, plunging at once into
my errand, will you let me speak few
plain words to your / have loved May
since she was tiny baby, and cannot see
her die without an effort to save her. be-
lieve you love herr"
II would give my life to see her well
again." he said passionately.
And yet" l said sadly, tits your
want Of appreciation that is killing her"
~ do not understand you," he said, and
he was perfectly sincere when he spoke.
Then very gently I pointed out to him
how faithfully May had filed all wifely
duties.
But women like these things. My
mother always kept the house and table
So" he said.
women like them," I replied. True,
loving women like them just In proportion
as they give pleasure to those they love"
But surely they always give pleasure.
DO you imagine do not know how lovely
my wife Is, how patient and carefulf A
mother to my boy who will make him q
noble, true man. Surely, know my wife
Is almost perfect."'
Tell her you know it." said. "Let
her see 1t in your eyes, feel it in your kiss.
Go TO her, take her in your arms and tell
her how drcary life will be to you If she is
lost. Bid her live for your sake, and she
will not die"
But the excitement, the agitationl" he
said. Il have scarcely dared to speak to
her or even to kiss her for fear Of agitating
her."
And she is dying for want Of those
very loving words and kisses"
1 marched the nurse into the next room
with the baby and then took John TO
Mays side. With tenderness more
touching from his natural reserve he bent
over the pale face and spoke one word:
Darling.
She looked into his face and met eyes so
full of deep, true love that involuntl lily
she lifted her weak hands to draw her hus-
band nearer.
Darling" he repeated, and his lip
quivered, how pale you are, and so weak
oh, May, my own sweet wife, 1t cannot be
you would die and leave mel When will
you come to me with baby May In your
arms as you did with Harvey TO ask me If
/ am not proud 10 be papaf
"Do you rememberi" she whispered.
"Rememberl Why, May, there is no
word or look Of yours / cannot remember" 4"
/ stole away. Heart meeting heart was
too sacred for any third party to witness
An hour later went in softly. May was
lying in her husbands arms looking into
his face with loving eyes. Upon her check
was faint flush, and the smile that greet
cd my entrance was like the smile of four
years ago.
Baby May was three months old before |
was allowed TO leave Morton Hall, but
left a smiling and bright eyed matron and
proud, happy husband and father, and
In my heart knew that never again the
cloud could fall upon Mays life that rest
ed there when she thought herself unap-
preciated. Buffalo News.
Competition In the Marriage Market.
Persons contemplating marriage may
have ceremony solemnized anywhere, el,
by fully ordained Clergyman. Appoint
ments arranged by Mr. Hawkins, station