Fergus County argus., 1901-03-27


called me back. Mr.. Gilchrist was ly-
ing llfeless on the floor, and Philemon,
the patient. tender Philemon, had TAX
en- Agatha to his breast and was sooth-
Ing her there as II the words she had
showered upon him had been blessings
instead OF the most fearful curses
which had ever left the lips Of mortal
woman.
The next letter was in Agatha's
handwriting. 1t was dated some
months later and was stained and
crumpled more than any others In the
whole packet. Could Philemon once
have told why? Were these blotted
lines the result Of his tears falling fast
upon them, tears OF 40 years ago, when
he aud she were young and love had
been doubtfulH Was the sheet so yel-
lowed and so scanned because II had
been worn on his breast and folded and
unfolded so oftcni Philemon. thou art
In thy grave, sleeping swectly at last
by the side Of her thou so idollzed, but
these marks of feeling still remain In.
dlssolubly connected with the words
that gave them birth.
DEAR PHILEMoN-You are gone for
day and night only, but it seems a
heightened absence TO ne, meriting a
little letter. You have been so good to
me, Philemon, ever since that dreadful
hour following our marriage feel that
| am beginning TO love you and that
God did not deal with me so harshly
when he cast me into your arms. Yes
terday | tried to tell you this when you
almost kissed me at parting, but was
afraid II was momentary sentlmen.
tally and so kept still. But today such
a warm wellsTing Of Joy rises In my
heart when think that tomorrow the
house will be bright again and that In
place OF the empty wall opposite me at
table shall see your kindly and for
bearing face! | know that the heart
had thought impregnablc has begun to
yield and that daily gentlencss and a
boundlcss consideration from one who
bad excuse r)r bitter thoughts aud re-
rrimiuation Is doing what all Of US
thought impossible few short months
ago.
oh. am SO happy, Philemon. so hap
py TO love where 1t Is now my duty TO
love, and IL 1t were not for that dread
ful memory of a father dying with
harsh words IN his ears and tie knowl-
rdgc that you, my husband, yet not my
husband, are bearing ever about with
you echoes Of words that In another
nature would have turncd tenderness
into ~ could he merry also ana
sing na ! 30 about the house, making ii
pleasant and comfortable against your
speedy return. As It is, can hut lay
hay hand softly on nay heart as It's beat
ings grow too impctuous and say: God
bless my absent Philemon and help
him to forgive me! | forgive him and
love him as never thought could"
That you may see that these are not
The weak outpourngs of n lonely wom-
nm, will here write that heard today
that John AMI James Xahcl have gone
into partnership " the shipbuildlng
business, Johns VII having left him
legacy Of several thousand dollars.
hope they will do well. James, they
say, Is TO all appearance perfectly
cheerful. is full of business and this
relieves me from too much worry In
his regard, God certainly knew what
kind Of husband | needed. May you
find yourself equally blessed in your
wife.
Another letter to Philemon a year
later:
EARPmLEMoS- Hasten home, Phlle-
mon do not like these absences. /
am just now too weak and fearful.
Since we knew the great hope before
us | have looked often In your face
for sign that you remembered what
this hope cannot but recall to my
shuddcrIng memory. Philemon, Phile-
mon. was mad? When | think what
said in my rage and then feel the lit
tie life stirring about my heart, | won
der that God did not strike me dead
rather than bcstow upon me the great
est blessing that can come TO woman.
Philemon, Philemon, II anything
should happen the child! think of 1t
by day, l think OF 1t by night. know
you think Of II, too, though you show
me such cheerful countenance and
make such great plans for the future.
VIII God remember my words or will
he forget? II seems as II my reason
hung upon this question.
A note this time in answer TO one
from John label:
DEAR J0uN-Thank you for words
which could have come from nobody
else. My child is dead. Could ex-
pcct anything different? II did, God
has rebukcd me.
Philemon thinks only of me. We un-
dcrsland each other perfectly, now
that our greatest suffering comes In
each others pain. My load can bear,
but this Come and see me- John, and
tell James our house Is open to him.
We have all done wrong, and are
caught In one web of misfortune. Let
IL make us friends again.
below this In rhllcmon's hand:
My wife IL superstitious. Strong and
capable as she Is, she has felt that this
sudden taking of Of our iirstborn rs a
sign that certain words uttered by her
oil her marriage day, unhappily known
20 yOu aud, as ! take II, 10 James also,
have been remembered by the right
cous God above ny. This Is II weak.
hess which cannot combat. Can you,
who alone Of all the world beside know
4 l.