Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1901-05-24

she had longed, yet dreaded. to see,
had completely unnerved her. With
the past thus opened, the waves Of
before Bernice Colby had been happy
wife and mother. Then the dark angel
had snatched from her arms their pre-
cious burden. Selfishly yielding to the
grief that overwhelmed her, she had
neglected her wifely duties until her
husband had sought more cheerful
company and consolation in the wine
cup. Suddenly awakened to his intem-
perate habits, repugnance and disgust
for the time, swept love from her heart,
and Needless of his repentance and re-
morse, she drove him from her with
singing words of bitter scorn.
She sent him from her to do battle
alone with that dreadful demon that
lies in wait for the souls of the weak
and the unwary. Upheld by the praise
of false friends, she deemed herself
wise in thrusting from her SO vile
thing, vet in the long and lonely years
that followed the voice of conscience
spoke loudly in her ear 1t said that
she herself was, in measure, respon-
sible for her husbands downfall. That,
had she been stronger, braver, her love
and faith, her prayers and purity of
living would have saved him. Alas:
She had not stood the test! And so,
though lacking naught that riches can
buy, Bernice Colby was a childless
mother and wife in name only.
The rummage sale was still in prog
ress, and the next day Bernice stood
behind her table, smiling and gracious,
though her bright face hid an aching
heart. In turning over the garments
upon her table, she missed one of the
tiny blue shoes, and with a faint smile
she took its mate and thrust it quickly
within the bosom of her dress.
As the day sped onward, a heavy
storm arose, the most severe of the
season. A whirlwind of snowfakes
blinded her eyes as she left the store.
and hid from her view her own car
, riage, as it stood>among the long line
of waiting coaches.
Turning in the wrong direction. she
stumbled into the arms of man stand
ing upon the curbstone Starting back
she glanced up into his face, and tleir
eyes met
"Nedw
"Bernice!' they both exclaimed in a
breath. LET me see you to your car
riage?" said the man, and without a
word Bernice placed her hand within
his arm. With the touch of those light
fingers, Ned Colby's heart throbbed
with the love of other days, and words
OF tenderness trembled upon his lips.
Placlng her within the carriage, he was
ABOUT to turn away, yet her hand still
ciung to his arm. as she said earnestly:
on, Ned! are you not coming tooY'
May |, Bernice? questioned he, Gag
erly.
Conner answered his wife. drawing
him in beside her with both hands.
Home, john" cried Ned to the won.
dering coachman, and the door closed
| upon them
Tears dimmed the old servants evos
at the sound of that ringing voice.
Ihank God! it's the masterw he mut.
tered, as he gathered up his lines.
Bernice. like the prodigal son, have
slnned against heaven, and In thy sight
and am no more worthy
Hush, Ned! whispered Bernice. GOV.
ering his lips with her hand; 81 have
done wrong, too. Let us forget the past
and begin our lives anew"
AS she leaned towards him there fell
from the folds of her dress tiny blue
shoe. Holding it up, Bernice whispered
softly:
''The baby's shoe"
Thrusting his hand into his coat
pocket, Ned drew out its mate, and
crushing them both together in the lt-