The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1905-07-15
Her father smiled and resumed bis

AehL was only struggling STU
dent, and, though her father believed
that should win fame, he did not
check his wife's ambition for her child.
"There came to the town. very
much like the coming of this young
Denton, man with gracious personal
gifts and riches which at that time
seemed immense. He had just come
into his Inheritance.
"rhey net-and he loved her. At
FIRST she would not listen, but her ma
tture was gentle, her mother determin-
ed and her father, porting over ancient
tragedies, overlooked the one creeping
into his home. was powerless. She
could not receive me when called.
and, at the functions where we met,
she was zealously guarded by her
mother and the man,
"Sha accepted him. She told him
frankly that her love was mine; that
In promising him she was accedinR to
her mothers will. But he was buoy
antly confident that love would come.
They were married, and he took her
away to mansion filed with treas
|
gowns and horses-all things that
money could buy. But love did not
come. The strongest, softest nests,
Estelle, are built by the birds love
mated.
"For ayear did not care what be-
came OF me. But I loved her, and
could do nothing of which she would
be ashamed. I went to Egypt and be-
gan the researches that have brought
me fame.
give years passed. The longing to
see her again, to hear her voice, be-
came intolerable pain. l went back to
London and haunted the streets, the
shops, the theaters, where she might
be. Then one night when I had al
most despaired, l saw her in her box
at the opera.
"She surpassed even my dreams
Her gown was soft and white. Above
her shoulder a red rose lifted with the
same proud tilt of her own pretty
head. l thrilled at the thought that
on her had never seen a faded flower
The house became blurred;I was gaz
ing at her through a mist Of tears
Patti was singing Home, Sweet
Home
II hurried out and stood in the OBJ
securing crowd, near enough to see my
lost girl and to hear her voice as she
passed. She turned her head restless
ly from side to side lit was perhaps
the magnetism Of my gaze-I suppose
my heart and soul were. in it,, and
then, before l realized it, the CROWD
had parted and she stood before me
with outstretched hands.
II could not speak-the old joy had
gone from her eyes, and in them was
sadness that never lightened. Hel
husband stood waiting under the por
tico. He had grown coarse and worn
and on his face were the lines of q
tyranny which would deal humilia tor
for her gu1leless taking of my hands
The professor covered his eyes
Years had passed, yet that scene never
came without raising the primitive
rage of his impotence. The girl at his
feet laid a comforting cheek against
his knee. His voice regained its gen
tleness after a minute, and he con
tinued:
II did not try to see her again:
felt 1t was better for us BOTH But ]
stayed near lest some time she would
need me, and somehow she knew l was
always waiting.
'"They found her husband dead one
morning-shot by his own hand. He
had specialized, lost his wealth and
died heavily indebted. She gave ur
the riches her marriage had brought
her, the jewels, the gowns. and, wher
his obligations were liQuidated, she
was penniless-poorer far than wher
she had left her fathers home.
II waited some months, and then
claimed her. l shall never forget hel
words that night, nor the sorrowfu
eyes smiling into mine. She gave mt
her hand and whispered;
"'Once, long ago, looked into thu
heart of purple twilight andd ream
: ed a dream Of my life--and you. To
! morrow I shall look again and SCI
the realization Of my dream. TIL,
, flowers are asleep tonight, dear, bu
seel the stars are shining"
: "MotherW breathed the GIRL he
: heart stirred to its depths. my beau
tiful motherY'
The professor rose slowly and laii
his arm along the mantel-shelf, abov,
D the glowing Goals.
) eve had two short years together
pitifully short, yet sometimes l thinl
a day Is worth a. lifetime.
q when she lay dying in my arms
the morning you were born, she looket
I at.your tiny pink face and said:
a "'Some time 1t may come to you, m,
q little one, to choose-to weigh tn,
wealth Of love against that Of gold
If that time ever comes she whis
pered to me, tell her the tragedy o
my youth, tell her the glory Of my sun
set. think she will understand
His voice trailed to a whisper; tn
. gray head bowed.
The din Of a bell intruded on tn
soothing silence. He turned to hi
, awad younQ daughter