The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1900-12-04
WONDER who he's fretting
Cor 2n asked Hrs. Granfhen Of

against the cushions Of his invalids
chair. Fierce, wild rebellion had shak-
en- his frame
"a prisoner Of Fatei' he cried with
a strength born OF rage. which passing
left him exhausted, dull languor sue
eeeding.
Illness had not brought patience or
resignation. Stricken from strong
manhood to a helpless rheumatic suf-
.ferer, be could learn neither.
"And she dares come 70 me now, as
am he said with bitter scorn, "be-
cause / have wealth. when she turned
from me as I was because ] had Il not.
Would thatSI coihd forget my wrecked
life But | seem tied TO remembrance,
as a prisoner Of old to a dead body, To
endure. eadure-that is all that is left
mel he cried passionately
He touched the bell. Mrs. Granthen,
his housekeeper. answered the sum
mons
MY head Is horrible. Mrs cranthen;
can't you try one Of your dozen rem
edles?"
'You are fretting yourself III she
said. compassi0nately, looking at the
pallid. haggard face. "You are worse
OF late. and neither the doctor nor
can DO anything with you, if you con
tlnue to worry"
rs Dorothy never coming homer he
asked lrritably. 4 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?
Il think her aunt did not like her
coming over here. and yet could not
refuse. you being so III. 50 she was sent
OFF. sir"
ALVIN made no answer But all that
day. except when out for his drive. be
sat at his window, looking into the
empty garden next door thinking Of
the little figure which gfaced Il, the
one bright spot In his dreary life.
lie had heard her reciting once to
crowd Of children, and had sent over
and asked II she would be kind enough
10 come and read to him. Her aunt
with ehom she lived and who wa
known 10 Mrs. Granthen, had con
eented because Of his peculiar mlsior
tune and loneliness. !.
"You will come again, won't you
he asked wisttully. as she left nlni.
II win come, II aunt will let me, sh
answered simply. and she did He wa
often moroso and critical, YET VITA ae
womans pity she made excuse fol p
faplts and tried to amuse him. Vine
she knew him better. and he asked u
usual question. Wont you com
aoaina" Sic would answer, + II you WI
be good and do no. fret, az Il speakiA
10 a sick child. :.
II shall never be good, Dorothy p
nv sonl IS warped by rheumatism an
q womanf
aMefcy. What a combination at---
A look into his face, with It's depth
main and misery. checked the sauS
words. She liked to distract him fro
his trouble IA any way possible, YET y
instinct was quick to tell her when
was in depths beyond Idle pieasln
The bright mood which generally b
euiled him was stilled instantly. II
girl who knew heFgalf to be but
nleasing toy. became with her tend
sympathy. the comforter.
"You must never talk Ike that, 81
said. The soul Is not subject 20 =
restrictions Of the body. Il can nev
be warped. save by sin Il can RI
above everything, every wound u
life inhlc,s.'
rs not hate sinY"
eyes. hate is sin But surely you
NOT hate any oneg Your misfortun
do not come from an earthly soure
Not my bodily risfortunes, y
those CT my soul.
She looked at him with gentle CO
Germ in her eyes.
Il think" she said that you bro
here alone until you magnify sol
slight resentment to worse feeling
baser feeling. one unworthy Of you.
"Ah. child. you have not tasted yet
the bitter cup In which hate Is brew
and I hone you never may.
Il don't know" she answered e
whom / loved and trusted wasted,
recklessness. all that was left in
charge for me. and | became pen
less independent on my aunt
"And you hated hima"
"No. When he came 20 die I "
TO him. and cared for him until
last. | would not soil my soul v
such a yile feeling.
yet. Dorothy, that did not toi
your affections. Suppose, = he.said,
cause his heavy heart erayed the ]
OF unhurdening itself, you loved
who returned your love, aud yet val
love cheaper than wealth. gave her
10 another because | was poor, tho
perfect then, physically. Then, "
wealth came. though with this wre'
ed deformity. she returned. Would
not hate her?
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 Il
! would forgive her and forget
past"