The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-01-04

other hope was in their hearts-one which
should bind them closer and closer in the
sight of God and render more final and
more eternal their union.
That afternoon Susie went out to order
some things for supper. She was looking
prettier than ever. with her plump cheeks,
her eyes filled with the light of hope and
contentment. She would not have remem-
berec certain days of the past for any
thing. With tears she had long since
asked God to blot them out of her remem-
brance.
She had done her marketing and turned
ba ok home, walking little slowly and
enjoying the SunIit summer atmosphere.
Some one was walking behind her-also
slowly. But she gave no heed. 1t would
De lmnollie to turn and look. She merely
no ed the person would pass her and go
ahead. She even stepped aside and went
on slowly to allow this. But finally she
had reached her very house entrance and
entered the Vestibule. Half-turning she
saw that the man-f0r it was a man-had
followed her. He came up the steps. And
then-a sickening sensation came over her.
1t was voice she had heard before. In
silent horror she faced him.
wei" he said, with loud, easy famil-
iarity. 80 here we meet once mOrei l
thought l recognized you. l said to my
self, That's Susie, sure anything.
Sir" her voice trembled. "Sir, [ can
| am the wife of an honest man. L beg
yOu-tO please go away"
1t would have been enough for him, had
he been a gentleman. He did not happen
TO be one. Aud he did not relish being
ordered away.
"Oh. come now; these stories are all
very fne-married ~
You must not speak to me-you must
go away" Her lips were white with ter
rOr.
Il mustn't?" He began to show tenn
per. He saw only the piteous and cover
ing form before him; he did rot see a
shadow behind him in the doorway. ~
mustn't 60 in, because you're married-an
honest mans wife! Oh. yes!'
A strong arm reached forward, a strong
hand grasped his collar; he was whirled
about, shaken as small cur is sometimes
shaken by dog of nObler pedigree, kicked
yes. kicked down the steps and flung in
the gutter.
Then jim, who had come just in time,
lifted his wife who had tainted and fallen
in the vestibule. Lifted her with infinite
tenderness and carried her gently up the
flights Of stairs to their rooms.
My darling-my helpless darling!' be
groaned.
All that night she raved in a high fever.
For few days jim Gurnee never left her
bedside. She was dying. The shock had
killed her. Toward the last, when con-
scious she murmured family, Darling,
darling jim. 1t is for the best would
have dragged you down-with the old
disgrace"
mo. no" he answered brokenlv. mo.
you always lifted me UP, Susie. You gave
me new hopes. You turned me from
great, selfish fellow. You made my heart
softer. You were my blessing"
She died in his arms, content. And after
the funeral he still chung to his little home.
Ii seemed to him he could not part fIom
the smallest thing that had been hers and
his.
Patient and sober and brave, but never
light OF heart again, he went about his
duty; and the weeks passed.
Then came that terrible catastrophe in
which-but why speak Of it again? 1t
was his same old heroish-his same ola
devotion.
As the gray light turned golden at the
windows We went again to look at his
peaceful face.
Il think" said the friend that was with
me, Il thind they must be happy some
where. He's with her-that's enough"
We turned our backs on each other for a
moment. Then others came to take our
place. CECIL CHARLES.