Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1894-11-02
WARNINGS TIP.
II Taught q Man to Properly Ap-
preciate His Wife.

MIR. Duncan walked through the
streets with his eyes lowered seeing
nothing, and it was only because of
Charles Warnings restraining hand that
he drew back at crossing in time to
let an elegantly appointed carriage
pass.
What q lovely girlr' Charles ex-
claimed, as the occupant of the car
riage leaned from the window. "She
seems to be looking at YOU" be con-
tinued. "Whyl7-as his con- panion
raised his hat-"do you know her9"
"She is my wife," was the unexnect-
ed reply.
Your wifev' Charles looked at the
carelessly dressed, elderly appearing
man beside him and then at the car
riage with its fashionably attired oc-
cupant, in amazement at the contrast
between them.
The two men had each an Office in
the same building. In spite of the diff
ference in their ages warm friend
ship had sprung up between them,
and they had formed the habit of
walking home together as far as their
route lay in the same direction. But
their talk was always of business, and
they knew nothing of each others per-
sonal affairs.
"No wonder you are astonished,"
said Mr. Duncan, at last withdrawing
his abstracted gaze from the rapidly
receding carriage, 81 will tell you
about it. Two years ago an old, rath-
err eccentric, client sent for me in
haste. When l reached his secluded
suburban home found him dying.
His mind was full of anxiety for
the one child he was to leave. She
had not relative in the world, and
he begged me to accept the posi- ton of
guardian. / knew nothing of children,
and hesitated.
"'She will be no care to you,' he
urged. The woman who nursed her
is still in our employ and devoted to
the child; but she is ignorant, and l
must have some one of mind and judg-
ment to watch over my daughters In
terests. Say that you will accept the
trust
His naturally pathetic eyes were
doubly so when dying. With their
gaze imploring, bcseeching me, what
could l do but agree to take the re-
sponsibility on my shoulders? He
died that night. His child and her
nurse were spending the summer in
the mountains, too far away to reach
home in time for the funeral. was
to open the will and then go to bring
them back TO the city. Judge Of my
| dismay to find on examination that
every one of the securities mentioned
in the will had become worthless
Creditors Immediately put in Their
claims. The house and furniture even
could not be saved. There was abso
lutely nothing left for my ward.
but what of that?' reasoned. "A
child does not want much. l can
manage to have her taken care of In 9
simple way, and perhaps by the tim,
she is grown l shall have succeeded
so well in my profession that I cal
give her the Injuries she has a righ
to expect
My dismay at the condition of my
clients affairs was, however, insignifi
cant in comparison to the consterna
ton which awaited me. Armed will
a large doll and supply of candy,
sought her mountain retreat, asked
for my ward, and found her to be {
beautiful young lady of twenty, ye'
as ignorant of the world as child
having been brought up with no com
panions save her father, the old nurse
and daily governess.
II did not know what to do will
her She had her fathers pathetic
eyes, appealing, haunting. Not tt
weary you with a long recital, upoI
deliberation concluded that marriag,
with my ward was the only way GU
of the difficulty She was of cling
ing, dependent nature, and made n,
object ton; and SO we were married.
Sand have lived happily ever after
like people in stories, put in Charles
to fill the pause.
A half-sigh preceded the answer:
II hope she is happy. | am sure
give her all she seems to need"
"Yes, and work yourself to death t
do it," Charles said to himself.
Sometimes | have feared-well, per
haps, it is the oompanionship of younI
people that she needs" went on Dun
can, musingly. II am too old for her
You are not married." turning All
ruptly to Warning. "have no ties?"
mo. l am free as air."
Then come around to the house
Sing with my wife, Talk music books
all those things of which know moth
Ing. l like you Come often. Her
Is the corner where we part. Com
!, very soon. Good night"
Some evenings thereafter, WARM
called at Mr. Duncan's. He found tn
house luxurious ana tasteful, the mi.
tress beautifully gowned, with man
jewels glea ming and sparkling abou
her.
They represent just SO much c
DuncanS llfe,' was the young man
. inward comment. rs she worth il
Does she appreciate his efforts to SUI
round her with all this wealth, or
/ she like the daughter of the horse
, leech, continually crying: Give
1 Givel p"
She was a beautiful woman, TIL
a Berenice Duncan, with rather loni
slender face, light hair and larg,
!. haunting dark eyes She proved 5
attractive that Warnings visits to tn
house became frequent; but, althoug
$ he sang duets with her, talked musi
:. books and all the fads of the day. an
5 even, at her husbands urgent reques
q accompanied her to several concert
= he did not feel that he understood h,
b any better as the companionship pro-
a rasSed There WAS alXvavsa vyistft,