The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1896-02-06
A DIVIDED HOUSE
A Story of the Civi
War in Missouri.
BY SIDNEY d. POWELL
Nop First Published.
CHAPTER XII.
THE FATE OF A LETTER.

THE FATE OF A LETTER.
Tho house at 1.-THE Fins" was In
deed dreary without Aunt Ria and
Charlie. Aunt Ria was 80 busy and
bustlinR and Charlie was always full
OF talk unless his mother was listen
ing. Now they we're gone Ellie was
In the kitchen alone a good part Of
the time, for John was busy with his
practice, there was no one to speak
to or relieve the tedious lonely
hours for Mrs. Da9ney rarely left hcr
room. For days she remained IN
bed moaning with pain, not OF the
body, John wished 1t had been that
but mental pain. The world was
dark to her and life a failure, but
death with it's horrors, offered nd
release. She hated everything that
had brought her to this suffering and
took q bitter pleasure in giving NIT
terance to her vindictive spirit.
For Elasa sha.had the sans resept
full feeling that little By hide he'd
taken possession OF her, and now
that she was dependent In her weak
ness upon her, she seemed to be
more venomous than ever before.
Only one feeling aside from bitter
ness did she feel, and that was for
John. He was still her pride, her
hope and her joy. To him she
looked now to restore her losses and
to reinstate her in her former posi-
ton. Charities name never passed
her lips, nor was he ever mentioned
in her presence. But John and Ellie
often by the kitchen stove, talked OF
him and tried to plan in some way
to soften the bitter feeling his mother
bore to him.
eIt is pride in her." said John.
"She is too proud to yield and let
him know that she has softened to
him, for I can't think that now in his
danger and suffering she is as indif-
ferent as she pretends to be-"
"Why has she hated me John?''
asked Ellie with a troubled look on
her face. ?
az am afraid Ellie 1t is because
Charlie loved you-but let us not
talk about it. Poor mother, what
can we do for her now, to make her
forget her troubles?"
"But john" said Ellie earnestly
81 want you to dispossess yourself o
that idea, Charlie does not love mt
except as q sister. He used to love
Mary Norton, I think, but something
has caused trouble between them.
"And you do not love Charlie CT
cept as a sister" John asked, look'
ing at her with that searching looi
he had so often regarded her with
"Of course not' che said lightly
turning to mix her biscuit in The tssR
He did not say anything else bu
walked away and she heard his STEP
going into his mothers room.
"Why is he always asking m
about my loving some one2 1 wis
I did not love anyone in the world
she said to herself.
When John came down to tn
kitchen again it was to tell ELI
that a dreadful battle had bes
fought, and Charles company ha
been engaged. He had just read
in the paper.
"He may be wounded" said Elns
Sand he is 80 far away we could &c
get to him. Oh what a dreadft
thing war is and how barbarous.
eyes" John answered, SIT
strange civilized nations have nc
found some other way of settlin
difficulties. would 60 into the arm
now to be with Charlie, il I coul
conscientiously fight with the undo
army But I can't, so II I 60 ct u
1t must be in the southern army q
then he will be, my enemy. But
he is wounded and left q prisoner
our lines-I may be a help to him
so If ! 60 in the army I will 60 6
and try to get a surgeons place
some command"
! "Why You are not thinking
going to the army" she asked with
. trembling voice.
. 81 can't tell yet" he answered, !
l may"
. Elfe's peace Of mind was gone :,
, that day; for the thought vibrats
4 and Jared every tender chord Of b
6 being. With John gone, how VI
she to live there any longer. wheI
should she gof What would j
mSthss doa What SAsl1 alselhs ,
. way, with John and chsrlke ~
gone.
4 "But I am foolish" she ssid
herself ''to be crossing tho hridl
before get to 1t. He s1rely did M
mean It. He can't go and leave u
1t would kill his feeble old mothsr.
That night John eat up late ir IL
d night. His mothers room W,
across the hall from his, and she So
: the light still burning when u
: clock struck twelve. He was ven
q still too, what could he be ding
Mrs. Dabney would not have pi
herself to that much trouble foi an
!, one else In the world but for Jof
she was so much interested to- kno
10 what he could be doing that She 6
a up out Of bed and peeped throui
q the crack of the door. There DO W
II 1 " - AZ