The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1903-04-10

struggles of many sufferer, ana per-
haps it is better so, or who could
bear the knowledge of so much painf
'Tis needless to dwell on the battle
that was fought out in silence ana
alone, and with the bravery and dig
nifty of a noble woman, and tn.
proud reticence that makes wife
conceal her trials and heartaches.
There, too, in the silence of her cham
Der, she looked for help and COM
fort where true help is to be found,
trying to quiet her rebellious heart
and gain patience. The servants
merely thought their mistress lone
~ without the master, and when Wis
itors came, she made an effort 10
seem more cheerful than usual,
though an intimate and sympathetic
friend would have detected an ex-
aggeration in the mirth,
She grew white and thin with the
struggle, and when an attack of
grippe laid her aside, it was almost a
relief to give up and endure physical
discomfort. One morning when she
couch in the sunny sitting-room, the
maid came to say that lady wished
to see her.
IL told her you had been i'll, ma am,
but she said To say that she wants
most particularly to see you, and
begs you will see her for few mo-
ments, if it will not tire you," said
the maid.
Very well, Jane, bring her in"
listlessly answered the invalid. These
who loved her never called her plain;
her eyes were beautiful: the whole
face depended upon the expression,
lighting up with every passing emo
ton; and the daintiness and perfect
neatness of her dress was an added
charm.
Into the room came a young wom-
an, radiant with health and beauty;
with the happest, sweetest face, bear
ing sunshine with her. Going quickly,
impulsively. to the couch where the
heartstricken woman lay, and selling
her hand, she said:
THANK You very much for seeing
me. Will it tire you to talk a few
moments? | am in town for a few
days, and could not bear to go home
without seeing Ralph's wife They
tell me that he is away in the wilds.
| did not send in my name. because
Mrs. Moore, perhaps, is strange to
you, but your husband must have
mentioned Jack Moore and Grace
Girton."
All. little did she know the agony
that last name had caused her! "[
see you hesitate; | don't believe he
has mentioned either of us. Just
like him, too-the dear old goose
because ii was some one else's secret.
So | must begin at the beginning"
Here she stopped and poked up tie
pillows, drawing the wraps over the
invalid's feet; wondering the while
if illness alone had brought that
sad look into her face. You must
know that Ralph was brother Wills
best friend, so they were much 70
gether, and he was often at our
house; in fact, | came in for some
teasing on his account, and am afraid
| let it pass to screen my own af-
fairs. You see, Jack Moore and
had always cared for each other,
but Jack never settled to ANYTHING,
and father took a violent dislike to
him, and forbade him to come to the
house. He said he would have moth
ing to do with a man who could not
prove himself enough of a man 90
work for wife, and make a career
for himself. l thought it awfully
unkind of Daddy, though now | know
he meant 1t in love for me. ! was
heartbroken, and one day when Ralph
was waiting for Will, and said some
thing kind it all came out. | was
so afraid that if no one took any IN
terest in Jack, he would simply drift,
and lose heart to struggle on. 1.
was then that your husband proved
what a noble friend man can be. He
sought Jack, whom he had known
but slightly before, kept him with
him great part of the time, fourd
out his bent, cheered him-for he is
of nervous temperament, and
easily discouraged. and, though very
manly. dependent upon sympathy. He
started him in business out west. in
sitting hope into him, and giving him
an incentive To make success of his
life. Well, it's a long story. but it
all came right at last. Jack is in
Il good business, successful beyond
our widest superintendent Daddy
is satistied-aud we have been mar
ried six months; and, oh, we are so
happy, and all thanks to your Ralph.
Though he has been so silent about
out affairs, | soon guessed his secret,
and knew that there had never been
but one little woman in all the world
for him."
JOY came into the heart of the
wife, joy and shame-that she could
have doubted for moment one so