Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1899-12-15
LA PLATA, MARYLAND, DECEMBER Is, 1899

hysterical laugh. What a funny
namel'
Handsome, stylish people, with
more money, 10 all appearances, than
they know what to do with, went on
Mrs. Ellison. Il just wish you could
see her dresses and jewels stephaaie.
the French maid, showed me, when
she was unraeking 'em, and it's as
good as a playl''
Lefty said nothing. lut stirred
busily away at her preserves, while
the old housekeeper maundered on
about tue wealth and grandeur Of the
new possessors Of Hadield Hall.
Aud all this might have been hersl
when shall / send for the lacesg"
Mrs. Ellison finally asked, when she
rose to depart.
I'll take thom home myself, about
dusk, said Lefty, inwardly resolving
to get for herself a glimpse into the
paradise which so nearly had been her
own.
And scat twilight, with the daintily
ironed and fuied laces in her basket,
she walked up to Hadheld Hall.
How stately it looked with its broad
colonnaded facade, all gliiteriug with
lights, its grand conservatory at the
hack, where palm-leayes aud tananas
brushed the glass top. and its terraced
grounds Oh, il she had only said
''yes' to Howard Lindsey II years
agol
Within, everything was in keeping.
Administer carpets. like banks Of moss
covered the fioor-marble statues
in velset-lined niches-lights glowed
softly, aud tables. loaded with rare
ornaments, stood around.
Hush" said Lefty, as Mrs. Ellison
with some pride. pointed out the vnri-
Gus beauties of the place. ''What is
that noise, like a woman crying? IN
the next room. | think.
Mrs. Ellison's face clouded over.
s'It's Mrs. Lindsey, poor dear,
said she. s'The masters a brute. He's
been drinking too much-Mademoi-
selle Stephanio says he always drinks
too much--and he struck herl Strue
her, and called her whimpering fool
before all of us servants. never saw
man strike a woman before, and
declare it made me SEX all over. But
Stephanie says it's common thing
enough. oh, my dear, she's wretch
ed in spite OF all her money"
HAS she no children Lefty
softly asked.
"She had two, but she lost 'em both.
Mademoiselle Stephanie says she often
cries and wishes she was dead, too.
And / don't wonder much, with such
husband as she's got. Hushl there
he comes now"
And shrinking lehind carved
group Of Italian marble statuary. the
two women watched Howard Lindsey
stalk g oomily by, with red, inAamed
eyes, sullen, down looking face and
shu fling, unsteady foots ;ep.
Silently Lefty Wyngard went home,
thanking God in her heart that she
was poor mans wife.
"Have you heard Of the accident?'
asked old Peter Styles, who was stand
ing out at his gate. as she hurried by
in the deepening dusk
''No: what accident? What has
happened?'
.'That there house as your husband
was workin' in has tumbled in All a
heap..of ruinsl Something wrong about
the foundation. they say, and -"
'.Oh, my Godr' wildly interrupted
Lefty. clasping her hands. .'Was he
hurt? My husband?"
"Wel, "hesitated old Styles, ''there
was two men killed and one had his
arm broke. But"
Lefty waited to hear no more.
Swift as an arrow out OF bow she
sped homeward. a horrible dread
winging her footsteps with almost
incredible speed. Obi if John should
be killed-John, her faithful, loyal
husband, whom she had rocked SO
lightly of-whom that very day she
had allowed to leave her without the
goodbye kiss. II her children should
be fatherless if
s'Johnl Johnr' she walled, as she
pushed open the door, and went,
breathless, into the kitchen.
"Well, little woman, what is it?''
And OIL thanks to an all merciful
Heaven = John Wyngard himself
turned his bright, living face toward
her from the hearthside, where he was
sitting, with child on either knee.
81 know what is in your dumb, ques-
iioning eyes, Lefty. l am not hurt,
thank God 1 had just gone to the
hardware store for another barrel Of
nails when the building fell. No,
Lefty. you're not rid Of me quite 50
easily"
Lefty threw herself, sobbing, into
his arms.
"Ah, John, John, love me. Hold
me closer to your heart. John. I've
been repining and selfish. I've never
been half good enough for you; but,
please God, I'll be a better woman,
aud more faithful wife from this
night heneeforward. "
And then she told him the history
Of her days adventures.
cts natural enough, little wife,
said John, kindly, stroking her hair.
"But for all that I'm glad you've real
lied money isn't always happiness.
And a more contented couple than
John Wyngsrd and his wife Lefty
never sat by CHEEKY fireside upon thal
blelk winter evening. Lefty prohted
by her lesson.