The sea coast echo., 1900-03-10
Mrs. Ellison finally asked, when she

Mrs. Ellison finally asked, when she
rose to depart
I'll take them home myself. about
dusk" said Lefty, inwardly resolving
to get for herself glimpse into the
paradise which so nearly had been her
own.
And so, at twilight, with the daintily
ironed and futed laces in her basket,
she walked up to Hadfeld Hall.
How stately it look ed with its broad
colonnaded facade, all glittering with
lights, it's grand conservatory at the
back, where palm-leaves and bananas
brushed the glass top, and its terraeed
groundsi Oh, if she had only said
yes to Howard Lindsey IL years
agol
Within, everything was in keeping.
Administer carpets, like banks of moss
covered the fioor-marble statues
in velvet lined niches-lights glowed
softly, and tables, loaded with rare
ornaments, stood around.
Hush" said Lefty, rs Mrs. Ellison
with some pride, pointed out the vari-
Gus 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. Lindsley. poor dear, .
said she. 1.-The masters brute. He's
been drinking too much-Mademoi
sele Stephanie says he always drinks
too much and he struck herl Struck
her, and called her q whimpering fool
before all of US servants. | never saw
n man strike woman before, and /
declare it made me sick all over. But
Stephanie says it's a common thing
enough. Oh, my dear, she's wretch
ed in spite OF oil her money"
Has she no children?" Lefty
softly asked
"She 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 as 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, intiamed
eyes, sullen, down-looking face and
shutting, unsteady footstep.
Silently Lefty Wyngard went home,
thanking God in her heart that she
was a 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 deenenlnp dusk
"No; what accident? What has
hapPsned?" r,S, = 2, :, . . ..,,.. ,,,,.,.. :,
was workin' in has tumbled in. All a
heap''of ruins! Something wrong about
the foundation. they say, and d"
ooh, my GodT wildly interrupted
Lefty, clasping her hands. WAS he
hurt? My 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 m arrow out Of n bow she
sped homeward, a horrible dread
winging her footsteps with almost
incredible speed. Oh! if john should
be killed. ohm, her faithful, loyal
husband, whom she had rocked SO
lightly of-whom that very day she
had allowed to leave her without the
good bye kiss. If her children should
be fatherless-if-
John! john she walled, as she
pushed open the door, and went,
breathless, into the kitchen.
Ill 1iI{lo hot to 90
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 a child on either knee.
''I know what is in yonr dumb, Ques-
tioning eyes, Lefty. I am not hurt,
thank God. 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 so
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,
and a more faithful wife from this
night henceforward. "
And then she told him the history
of her days adventures.
Its natural enough, little wife, y
said John, kindly, stroking her hair.
But for all that I'm glad you've real
lied money isn't always happiness.
And more contented couple than
John Wyngard and his wife Lefty
never sat by CHEEKY fireside upon that
bleak winter evening. Lefty protited
by her lesson.