Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1895-07-04
A JEALOUS HUSBAND.
TwRrz TEN FOR THE DEmOcEAr.I
By M. R. P.

HEX AFSt move was Io"aiu LILO
cradle, as if to shield the little
form that lay sleeping In it, but
Harold's contemptuous look and ges-
ture brought her to see the folly of her
act.
did you think I would hurt your
cbildY'' he asked in a low tone.
Then she ran to him. and looking up |
SO sadly into his face, said, ''You did
not mean what you said about baby |
last night, did you, dear Harold?"
He remained silent for some time, |
then drew her down by his side and
said in a shaking voice: "Alice, can
endure it no longer. Your every word,
your smiles, your caresses, your love,
your all in all is directed to that little
body asleep in the cradle. Why did
she come to steal away my love9"
Then he prepared to give the final
blow; dropped his head and drew her
closer into his arns.
''I have thought Of a plan" he said.
1--WE can liye without baby why not
give her awaysn and his voice grew
husky.
At this Alice gave pitiful cry and
sank on her knees.
He kissed and fondled her and called
her his best love.
80. no, nol'' moaned Alice, II love
you, and love baby as well. aad can
not, no! cannot give her up!"
Gould you give up your hasband?''
he asked jealousiy.
She onlyNclnng the tighter to him,
and sobbed aload.
You will do as l say, won't you,
darling" he begged, ''if onay for a
little while-saY three years, and then
S if baby remembers you as heg mother,
and you wish 1T, she may return" We
will put her in good hands, send her
every day such things as you may wish
and if she be sick you can visit her
Then can have you all to myself he
whispered eagerly.
They were both silent for some time
He trembled at the answer she might
give. but what was his surprise wheI
she looked up with q smile, bat such {
sad one; and said, Baby may come
back if she knows me?''
Yes" was his answer.
s'Then it shall be as you say, if you
think it best,'' but turned away to hide
the rising tears.
He felt wicked and ashamed at hi
unreasonable request, but his Jealau
nature rebelled against righting tn
wrong he had done.
The next day Alice carried Elaine t.
Mrs. Rowan, rich widow, who live
in a beautiful home and had every
thing as pleasant as heart could wish
and without soul to share her joys.
AS Alice laid the baby in her arms
she told her To withhold nothing. n
matter what the cost might be, tina
would add to the happiness OF he
darling child.
Il will love little Elaine as If sh
were my own darling child in heave
come back to me- And Alice kne'
she spoke the truth.
And if she knows me when [ com
for her, she will be mine again." sal
Alice. Then she kissed the httl
mouth and hastened away, for she fe
that she could not bear up very muc
longer.
That night as she lay with empi
arms and breaking heart, she praye
as she hever had before that her BAT
might not forget her, that by SON
smile or word or caress she migf
recognize her after so long a time.
Things went on much the same ;
before Husband and wife were kin
thoughtful, all they ever had bee
but each saw in the other sometbir
lacking to bring them closer togethe
to make their happiness complete.
Twice the summer came to theu
bringing its birds and flowers, al
twice it faded away, yielding to wi
ter's blightiug frosts.
Little Elaine grew rapidly under t
tender care of her kind foster moths