Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-01-31
Mrs. Ellison finally asked, when she

rose to depart
Plltake them home myself. about
Dusk" said Lefty, inwardly resolving
to get for herself glimpse into the
paradise which so nearlyhad been her
own.
And so, at twilight, with the daintily
ironed and futed laGes in her basket,
she walked mp to Had6eld Hall.
How stately it looked with its broad
colonnaded facade, all glittering with
lights, it's grand conservatory at the
back, where palm-lesves and bananas
brushed the glass top, and its terraced
grounds! Oh, if she had only said
'syes" to Howard Lindsey IL years
ego!
Within, everything was in keeping.
Administer carpets, like banks of moss
covered the foor-marble statues
in velyet-lined niches-lights glowed
softly, aud tables, loaded with lare
ornaments, stood around.
Hush" said Lefty, rs Mrs. Ellison
with some pride, pointed out the rari'
ous beauties of the place. what is
that noise, like woman crying? In
the next room, I think.
Mrs. Ellison's face clouded over.
"It's.Mrs Lindsey, poor dear.
said she. 'tThe masters brute. He's
been drinking too much-Mademoi-
selle Stephanie says lie always drinks
too much-and he struck her! Struck
her, and called her whimpering fool
before all of us servants. never saw
a man strike woman before, and /
declare it made me sick all over. But
Stephanie says it's q common thing
enough. Oh, my dear, she's wretch
ed in spite OF all her money"
'Has she no children?" Lefty
softly asked.
"Sbe had two, but she lost 'em both.
MademoiselleS Stephanie says she often
cries and wishes she was dead, too.
And I don't wonder much, with such
a husband us she's got. Hush! there
he comes now"
And shrinking behind a carved
group of italian marble statuary. the
two women watched Howard Lindsey
stalk gloomily by, with red, inhamed
eyes, sullen. down-looking face and
shu Hing, unsteady footstep.
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.
sNo;' what accident? What has
happened?"
'aThat there house rs your husband
was workin' in has tumbled in! All a
heap:.of ruins! Something wrong about
the foundation. they say, and"
"Oh, my God" wildly interrupted
Lefty, claspihg her hands. "Was he
hurt? Ny husband?"
well, "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, o horrible dread
winging her footsteps with almost
incredible speed. Oh! 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 XII 5. If her children should
be fatherless-if-
"John! John!" she walled, as she
pushed open the door, and went,
breathless, into the kitchen.
'sWell, little woman, what is it?"
And oh! 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.
know whatis in your dumb. guess
tioning eyes, Lefty. I nm not hurt,
thank God. I 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 30
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 better woman,
and more faithful wife from this
night henceforward."
And then she told him the history
of her days adventures.
"It's natural enough, little wife, "
said John, kindly, stroking her hair.
"But for all that I'm glad you've real
lied money ism t always happiness.
And more contented couple than
John Wyngard and his wife Lefty
never sat by CHEEKY freside upon that
bleak winter evening. Lefty profited
by her lesson.