The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-03-09

day. 1 will get carriage, and we
will take the children out. A run on
the seashore will do us all good, for
the weather is getting hot"
"Ohl Fred, drive me to Greenwood.
II is nearly month since we we're
there"
"Well, us you wish, said Fred, pity
ing the pale face and really fearing
that he was growing henrtless. eve
can take the children down to Bath
afterward."
Nearly month after the day de-
scribed, which was fair specimen of
the days preceding it for six long
months, silver-haired old lady sat
knitting in a cheerful sitting ROOM
In sleeping room beyond lady lay
upon the bed, resting after an excit-
ing talk, weary with crying and half
sleeping.
While the old lady piled her needles
with her sweet, placid face clouded by
some troubled thought, Fred Aiken
came into the room.
"Ohw he said, kissing her fondly,
'you always look cheerful here,
mother"
II am glad you still love your old
home, Fred" was the reply.
Eyes. Have you seen Susy to-
day."
''She was here this morning, and
Has she told you I am going to
accept Russell's offer and take the
California branch of the business?"
"She said you thought of it. But,
Fred, hope you will think better of
1t. You are doing we'll here, and your
first duty is to your own home"
81 have no home"
Erred, you shock mel"
"There is q funeral vault up town
where live," was the reply, "but the
home 1 had there is gone. 1 have
been patient, mother, as you advised
me. / have not said one harsh word
to Susy. L respected her sorrow and
tried to comfort her, but tell you
frankly that I shall become insane
II do not get away. 1t is useless for
me to tell you that / loved my boy, my
little Willie, as fondly as ever father
loved son. grieved for him sim
cerely, but after my first shock Of
pain was over / thought of him safe
in Gods care, happy, released from
all the SORROWS of this life, and was COM
forted. God has left me my wife, my
two noble boys and my own home,
health and strength. 1t seemed to me
monstrous and wicked to see no light
or hope in life because babe had
returned to Heaven pure and spotless.
this light. 1t became her religion to
mourn for her baby ceaselessly and
hopelessly. She hugged her grief
to her heart till the whole world was
dark, and would hear no word of COM
fort"
"Have you told her what you have
just told me Of your own source of
comfort?"
"Over and over sgain, but she only
sobs more pitifully because 1 do not
share her feelings. You advised me
to be patient, to let time carry its
healing to her. have been patient,
but I am losing my own powers OF
usefulness in the dreary atmosphere
Of my once pleasant home. My boys
are growing pale and thin in the un-
natural suppression of their baby
spirits. Susy has actually persuaded
them that II is sin to romp, to make
noise or laugh, and / have seen Ed
die put his finger ON his lip and say
to Charlie:
Don't taught You forget baby
bruzzer.
"Fred!"
81 assure you I do not exaggerate.
The house is like prison. Every
room is kept darkened, and the whole
atmosphere is heavy and actually chilly
in this glorious summer weather.
Susy nurses her sorrow till it is be-
coming a monomania.
"Cannot you coax her out?"'
"She will go nowhere but to Green
wood, and the last time we were there
she tainted on Willie's grave.
''She is not strong"
Because she shuts herself up
closely in the house, dark and gloomy
as vault, destroys her appetite aud
weakens her whole system. 1 cannot
use any sternness, exercise any strong
authority, for it seems like actual bru.
tality and want of feeling for her sor'
row. But must escape. I am be.
coming unfit for business, and
Mother, l have actually been tempted
to Join bachelor parties to get rid Of
the necessity of returning home te
meet only darkness, tears and repin
ing!"
"Oh. Fred, You frighten mel"
'I frighten myself 1t is because
I am losing my strength to resist sucl
temptations that am considering this
California offer. Susy will then have
no one to consider, and l will have a
least air and light out of busines,
hours. Mother, advise mel Wha
can I do? II it is cowardly to rul
away, shirk my duties as husband ani
father, I will stay; but / tell you