The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1901-08-01

+ Woman and Home Circle. -


wish You won dn't 20 down to the
hospital tomorrow. Those visits
always depress you so, and you are
not strorg enough for some OF the
sights ono sees ~ sach PAGES"
"Oh. Fred, 7 cans give up going.
/ 10 the only god thing do, tho
only thing that saves my life from
abso ute selfish mesa and friyolity.'
! Not 80, dear; you are . model
houssseeper, a charming hostess,
and the most perfect OF wives
Think h w you have transformed
tn = pile OF brick aud ston. into a
paradise on earth for me-. Send the
/ flowers down by Mike In the mora
ing. Promise me you will not 60"
And, bending over, he kissed her
/ tenderIy on lips, cheeks and brow.
"You dear old boy. Who ever
had Z UGH a lover, husband coddnng
old nurse all rolled into ON? You
can't understand how | feel about
those visits, because you are good
and noble and do 30 much good In
the world in SO many ways. while
this Is my only way. IL Is a little
trying to me sometimes TO witness
the suffering, but, on the who.e. l
think 1t 10 good for me. | always
come away with greater appre
citation Of my blessings
"Well, dear, II your heart 10 sci
on 1t. 1 suppose you must have
your way but please do not over
tax yourself"
you are 80 good, rr"d ] Otter
" sh you had fau r. weakness
for me 20 feel at home with. CO.
lad be- n go ID to me-"
"And to me-" said the husband
, laying a reverent hand upon he
soft hair.
"And, Fred, sometimes when
am happy ike this, something
seems to say to me, 1t will not Ia
. long. The time will came whe
you will be the most miserable Q
! women"
r Nonsense, sweetheart, such a
, you were only made for happiness
,. | have no pat ence with your pre-
3 sentiments, when they bring cloud
r to your dear face
o swell, I'll not think OF it an
8 more Tell me about Margare
d Gaines. That will take my min
It of OF myself. l have been thinl
d ing of her all the evening, and I
d how strange 1t was that you shoul
II know her. She had wonderfl
D.. musical talent and used to sing q
l. ways when at work or play. 81
d one ambition was 10 stand befo
n great crowds of people and sing
a them until they would 60 wi
1t with enthusiasm. l wonder II 81
ie ever did anything with her must
n. She may be dead for aught kno
D. Come, Fred. tell me all you kno
y, of Margaret Gaines.'
81 Not tonight, little wife. 1t
"a too late. II you are going to t.
10 hospital in the morning it is tir
10 you were in bed. Kiss me goo
IL night AID run on upstairs. I'll 8
that things are locked up, a
OF smoke q cigar before / come"
In An hour later she was calm
as sleeping, while he sat over the d
Id ing embers of the libra y fire,
nd stump of a cigar between his fin
in ers and strange look upon
La face. He had gone back IN thOug
ad to his college days. Against
II will, the image OF u darby beau
as full girl arose before him. HI
In ambitious she was, how gifted
was ambitious, too, and togeGh
sir they had dreamed and planned
d. the future. When he grew d
re, couraged, how she helped hi
of praising his ability and singing
Oh him till he forgot every wOrl
leg What life of work and self sac
nix fee was here, yet how cheerful S
l." was! No one appreciated her II
m, he did, and for appreciation 6
Tn gave him love-nay, alteration, a
'as q woman's sublimest trust. A
lily how had he kept that trust? Bs
9 Why should such memories d
it'll turb him now when he was ri
%, successful and happy? That v
lily an episode Of college days and b
&c, had little effect upon his matt
md life. His conscience, however, z,
er. him q shary sting when he thou
Ids of two or three tear-blotted lett
somew here Is his safe-letters t
In should have been harmed long q
'ou Dear little Bess, with her occ
stud and her presentimen
oar What an innocent child she w
In How he loved her She sho
nod ~ L. a
avs he lived. His devotion to
sy- should atone for any little indis,
She ton Of his young manhood
d men had some such experience.
ust SO he sat musing till the cl
Her struck three, when he arose ,
i've went slowly up to bed.
ost 1t seemed to him that he
has scarcely closed his eyes when sc
But one called, "Fred, oh Fred.
opened his eyes, and there sat
vas sic bolt upright in bod, LOOKING
he him in the faint dawn light, v
q strange fixed stare.
DID "What Is 1t, darling, did
ing call?" he said.
'me "No," she replied, Il did not ,
but am glad you are awake"
YER "Ssrange," said he, 81 was av
ion ened by some one calling Fred
q Fred 1t did not sound like J
nth voice, but what could it mean?'
81 think can tell you the m
ysd, ing," said Bessie. "Marg
and Gaines has just died in the A,
ward At the hospital"
AMI "Why swsetheart, you are DIRE
uss ing "
% ayes, 1t was dream, but 80 v
one that can't shake of the imt
'Any sion. will tell you about Il
' IN thou hit was paying my Wis
ave, the hospital. The nurse tolC
nei that there was a dying woma
seo, the Acton ward. I went in K
ner her. She was pale, emacatsd,
| reCOQniZod her and callod ho