The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-08-15
THE HAPPIEST MAN IN LONDON.


he had not far 10 go Mr.. Temple. who
had apparently just started TO meet
him. stood waiting till ne reached the
top.
'sir." he said. Il take this kind of
you"
Dr. Murray could not at first discern
his face, but the tone of his voice struck
him pleasantly II seemed TO accord
with the lat your CONVEYANCE"
In here, please, sir
The man led the way into the room.
DIR. Murray had seen many OF sucn
rooms-rather, he had seen many much
worse rooms. This was small; II gave
evidence of poverty; II was parely luI-
nished- But il was bright room. tx
actly why IL gave the impression OF
brightness it was difficult to say; per
haps because Mr.. Temple was in II.
That was the conclusion the doctor came
to afterward.
There was a small fire in the crate. A
lamp was on the round table. Tnere was
a chafr-only one chair-which was put
by the bedside. In the bed lay wom-
an. Mr.. Temple introduced her prleny'
My wife"
The woman turned her eyes i'm the
direction Of the doctor. That was her
recognition of his presence.
II thought I'd like you 10 step round
and have a look at her. said Mr.. Tenn
pie i've feared she isn't quite so well
today There amt much the matter. Is
there. Lucy? but 1 fancied ma be a
comfort TO me if you'd see her
When Mr.. Temple said there WASH
much the matter. it has 70 be borne IN
mind that he has been wont TO see her
for five-and-twenty years like this.
"She had a stroke. and she has been
paraIyzed ever since" said Mr.. Temple
simply.
He did not speak in a particularly sad
voice. or as II he pftied her or himself.
The doctor looked at Mrs. Temple
1t would have been difficult to say
what her age might have been, she was
such a wreck Of n woman. she was, as
a matter of fact, ten years younger than
her husband. and he was going on Tor
seventy She was perfectly helpless. She
could not move any part or her BODY
without aid: she had even lost the use
Of her hands. Her face was drawn 10
one side by the paralyZed muscles, and
thus distorted was bereft of any beauty
il might have possessed. Speech was
difficult TO her. and the few words she
uttered were scarcely articulate. There
was no light or color I'm her face; only
her eyes showed that she was a living
woman. They looked straight out. blue
and clear and shining, vivid against the
parchment skin. the scant white hair.
Il fancy" said Mr. Temple. she's had
a bit Of a chill DO what I WILL this
rooms draughty. and she naturally feels
the cold. She never complains. but |
know she feels the cold. Don't you,
Lucy?"
She muttered something.
Yes" said Mr.. Temple. "she does.
You may be sure if she owns 70 il there's
reason. The only thing we ever quarrel
about is that she won't ever say what
ails her unless I worry it out. Shes
an obstinate woman. Is Lucy
The idea Of applying such aword to
the poor creature would have seemed
ludicrous to the doctor If it hadn't been
for Temples tone and the look i'm the
eyes OF his wife as she turned them in
the direction Of the Old man.
They always were turned in his direc-
ton when he was In the room. That was
one Of the things the doctor found out
before very long.
who attends 10 herr" ne inquired.
when he had asked Temple few ques-
lions and written "A prescription
why, I do. sir" said Temple. Il
wouldn't let any one else touch her"
do YOU mean you do everything"
why. yes. sir. Who should if not me
She's my Wife I used 10 be bit clum-
Sy at first. but I've had time TO learn.
l manage pretty fair now, don't I Lucy?"
Again the grateful, devoted eyes shone
upon him. The doctor had seen how
woman could look when she loves. There
were times when the remembrance Of
shining. long-lashed. upturned eyes
thrilled him almost to pain, but-would
Moran ever look at him like that?
He cleared his throat before he spoke
again. But you 60 10 work What
then? Is she alOne?'
Why. she is sir so 10 speak I
wouldn't leave her II 7 could help it. But
l always commend her TO the Lord be-
fore ] go out. and He amt never failed
us yet"
The doctor had a mans hatred Of cant.
But he had sufficient insight by now into
the character Of those with whom he
dali IN lrro fhaua
simple and sincere as those which had
preceded them.
II get up early Of a morning, you see.
sir said Temple, land make our
breakfast and attend 20 her Then be-
fore l start for work-Im in an engi-
neer's employ just boards her up in
bed so she can't fall out. I'm back at
dinner-hour, and we have IL together.
Then, when ! leave work, my evening
soon passes. There's usually a bit of
cooking 10 be done. and washing up.
and the room 10 be seen to- An invalid
must have things clean about her; it
isn't agreeable TO lie and look at any
thing dirty. I like Lucy to keep bright
but there, she always is; and if occa-
sionally she gets down l soon cheer her
up, don't I. Lucy. Me and Sunny to-
gether. Sunny-that's our bullfinch.
he's asleep now. covered up. you see, I
won't disturb him. But by day he's
that lively! He chirps and talks away
10 Lucy, ne company Tor her, Sunny Is,
bless his little hearth
He told the story OF his great unset
fish life without any idea that IL was
either the one or the other Indeed he
would have been surprised if the doctor
had followed his inclination to wiring
his hand and tell him he was proud to
make his acquaintance. And the doctor
did not know the extent OF his self
sacrifice. He could not even if he had
known, realize at once what il menat to
the tired wOrking-man to rise early in
the cold winter mornings that every
thing might be ready for the day before
he started off; the room was tidied. the
fire was lit, the breakfast was made,
and Lucy fed, before he touched a NOR
sci. Other men have their wives to at
tend TO them. roughly perhaps but to
some extent kindly Temple, however,
received no help. He even did some Of
the washing that money might be saved
from the laundress. He gave Lucy little
luXuries. When she had beef-tea he ate
the tasteless meat from which all nour-
ishment had been extrated and he en-
Joyed IL the more the more tasteless it
was for then he knew II was likely the
beef-tea was good. If she protested IL
was useless; she had given up protest.
ing long ago. He did it, and she took
it, as a matter of course. But she was
not ungrateful
His reward. All. he had his reward
He loved her better than he had
ever done in her days of youth and
health and beauty. And waht does true
love ask but the opportunity TO serve?
And she? What she felt for him IL
would take a better pen than mine to
describe; rather I defy any pen to de-
scribe it i believe the angels rxrbo