The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1900-11-23
WONDER who he's fretting
for?" asked Mrs. Granthen OF
herself as she passed Mr..
unlhrnnkn,e dnnr and heard

chair. Fierce, wild rebellion hau shak-
en- his frame.
"A prisoner OF Fate" he cried with
a strength born Of rage, which passing
left him exhausted, dull languor sue
ceeding.
Illness had not brought patience or
resignation. Stricken from a strong
manhood to a helpless rheumatic suf-
ferer, he could learn neither.
'rAnd she dares come 10 me now, as
I am" he said with bitter scorn, be
cause / have wealth. when she turned
from me as was because had ii not.
Would that could forget my wrecked
life! But | seem tied to remembrance
as a prisoner OF old to a dead body. TO
endure, endure-that is all that Is left
mel" he cried passlonately
He touched the bell. Mrs. Granthen,
his housekecper, answered the sum-
mems.
"My head is horrible, Mrs Granthen;
can't you try one OF your dozen rem
edIes?"
"You are fretting yourself III, she
said, compassionately, looking at the
palld. haggard face. "You are worse
of late, and neither the doctor nor |
can do anything with you, If you con-
tinue to worry"
'Is Dorothy never coming homer" he
asked irritably. Il could always watch
her in the yard, or have her come to
read or sing to me. Is she coming
again."
Il am sure don't know, sir"
"Then won't you find out?'
"I think her aunt did not like her
looming over here, and yet could not
refuse, you being so i'll, so she was sent
off, sir"
Alwyn made no answer. But all that
day. except when out for his drive, he
sat at his window, looking into the
empty garden next door, thinking OF
the little figure which graced 1t, the
one bright spot in his dreary life.
He had heard her reciting once to a
crowd OF children and had sent over
aud asked II she would be kind enough
to come and read to him. Her aunt
with whom she lived and who was
known to Mrs. Granthen, had con
sented because of his peculiar misfor
tune and loneliness.
Yea will come again, won't you?
he asked wistfully, as she left him.
IL will come, IL aunt will let me- sh'
answered simply, and she did He wa
often morose and critical, yet with he
woman's pity she made excuse for hi
faults, and tried TO amuse him. Whei
she knew him better, and he asked TIT
usual question, Won't you com
again." she would answer, IF you vii
be good and do not fret" as il speaking
to a sick child.
81 shall never be good, Dorothy, 10
my soul is warped by rheumatism an
q woman
Mercy! What a combination Of
A look into his face, with it's depth @
pain and misery, checked the sauc
words. She liked to distract him fror
his trouble in any way possible, yet he
instinct was quick TO tell her when h
was in depths beyond idle pleasing
The bright mood which generally b'
guiled him was stilled instantly. tn
girl, who knew herself to be but
pleasing toy, became with her tendC
sympathy, the comforter.
You must never talk like that" sl
sa&l. "The soul is not subject TO I'll
restrictions of the body. 1t can nev'
be warped, save by sin. 1t can ri'
above everything every wound tn;
life inflcts."
"Is not hate sin?"
Eyes, hate is sin. But surely you
not hate any one? Your misfortun
do not come from an earthly source
Not my bodily misfortunes, b,
those Of my soul"
She looked at him with gentle CO.
cern in her eyes.
81 think" she said. that you bro'
here alone until you magnify son
slight resentment to n worse feeling,
baser feeling, one unworthy Of you"
"Ah, child you have not tasted yet
the bitter cup in which hate is brewe
and hope you never may
Il don't know" she answered. 20
whom | loved and trusted wasted,
Tecklessness, all that was left in
charge for me. and | became a penl
less independent on my aunt
And you hated him."
"No. When he came to die | We
to him, and cared for him until I
last would not soil my soul W
such vile feeling"
yet. Dorothy. that did not tor
your affections. Suppose" he said,
cause his heavy heart craved the r
OF unburdening itself you loved {
who returned your love, and yet walt
love cheaper than wealth, gave hers
TO another because | was poor, tho,
perfect then. physically. Then, WI
wealth came, though with this wret
ed deformity, she returned. Would
not hate hero
Don't you think she shows {
though she is weak. she still loves
best? And can you give hate in
change? II she loved me still IN
would forgive her and forget
past"
"And be happy ever afterward?'
sneered.
"Or try TO be-" corrected the glr
"Your advice is useless. | car
forgive the ruin OF my faith in hun
ity, or forget the pain It brought
I shall never be well again. and SO
times, Dorothy, have thought OF
ing IL al another way-just 10 take
final plunge into eternal forgetfulnC
Never. never think Of that.
Holbrolel u would be cowardly,
Il would not be 20 forget. Promis,
that you will notl" And she la
cold little hand on bis \ pray e