The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1896-05-01
VOL. XLI---NO. Is.

Molly thankfully delegated her office
to her, while she ran to call Il doctor.
That day, at sunset, Charley Wilson
came home quite elated, for his mis-
sion to the city had been ii prosperous
one. He ran up the steps, whistiing
an opera air under his breath, and
rung the bell. Surprised at hearing
no sound, for the bell had been muf-
fled, he was searching in his pocket
for his night-key, which, as it was
somewhat complicated, he used as
seldom as possible, when the door was
opened, and Molly met him with a
blank stare.
well, Molly, here l am ~ he said,
then fell back, as she lifted her finger
warningly. A little chill touched his
very heart at that motion, and some
thing seemed to warn him, that for
him happiness was over.
why. Molly!'' he exclaimed, in an
awe-struck 'what-is-it?''
it's very quiet we has to be, sir-she's
that ill-an attack on the nerves and
the heart sir, though the doctor says
as he has some hope
Some hope" murmured Charley,
through closed lips-''some hope you
don't mean that-my little Kitty"
Yes, sir, along o the death of little
master Dart, and the scare she got
afterward"
Scare repeated the man in dull
toue.
Yes, sir-some one stole a note of
her Guild uncle give her for poor fam
lily, as well as | can understand. 1t
were $50, and it upset herso, Jest COM
ing on the death of her little boy.
She looked and she look and cried and
grieved, till at last, sir, she just dead
tainted away, and poor soul she's sui
fered enough since. Doctors been
gone only an hour; he's been here all
day-and Miss Green, over the way,
she's with her now, and orders are for
nobody to see her, not even you, sir"
He sat down pale and silent, like
one stunned, o, what misery had
fallen upon him, The doctor hoped
only hOped-she was out of danger
his little wife, whose blue ewes had
answered so merrily to his but yester-
day. How he hated hims elf for what
seemed now premeditated malice. If
it had only been a jest-but no-he
was wretchedly conscious that it
could by 10 possibility take that
color; he had done it to punish, to
brighten her-he had given her a
lessOn-a lesson, alas! that brought
with it frightful remorse, remorse
that might gnaw at his heart as long
he lived. Molly called him to supper.
No, he wanted no supper-he could
eat nothing-only walk back and
forth, approaching himself for his
wicked act, repeating again and again,
that she might leave anything she
pleased anywhere-he would never,
never again reproach her, even by
look, if only the merciful Father
would spare her to him. Later he made
his way noiselessly up the stairs, and
ghost. Not even the watchful nurse
knew of his presence, till Il stilled sob
startled her. Then she left her post
by the pillow and beckoned him away
she had hardly the heart to look in
his face, it was so changed, but she
answered his questions, and gave him
all the elIcOuragements she dared.
at seemed some money was stolen"
she said, in cOnclusion-"money hat
did not belong to her"
The money was not stolen, he
said, falteringly: Il took it-thinking
it was careless III her to leave it;n his
voice broke, and there were tears il his
eyes, as he turned away.
1t was many weeks, nay many
months, before Kitty moved languidly
about the house, very unlike her old,
merry self, and it was touching to
witness her husbands solicitude, his
new tenderness, born of self-reprOach.
81 shall never be careless again, l
think. she said, softly, as he drew
her desk up to the invalid chair, one
day.
And if you were my darling, you
would never hear a word of reproach
from me-" he made reply. ''Such d
prig as | was. such q bunch of self
conceit-"
Hush" said Kitty, laughing, the
merry old ring in her voice; Il
wouldn't let uncle Hal say that, and
| wont let YOU
But he kept his word.