The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1905-10-06

Half.past ten eleven - half-pas'
eleven. Oh, where was Charley? With
bated breath, Ida listened to every
sound in the street, her cheeks pallne
and flushing. her heart throbbing with
heavy strokes-but no Charley.
Oh, great Heaven. Had he taken
her at her careless words, and gone
never to come back" No, no! she
would not believe this. She deserved
1t, but Charley could not punish heI
so terribly. Something had detained
him. He would come soon-he would
come soon!
Repeating this over and over to her,
self, poor Ida sat waiting, watching,
hoping.
There came a step, a ring at the
door, not light and quick like Char.
ley's, but Ida sprang up and ran
eagerly to obey the summons.
She opened the door, and met old
DR.. Gordon upon the threshold.
ooh, doctor!" she cried, pausing for
no other greeting, do you know
where my Charley Isl"
Don't be frightened, little girl"
said the good, old doctor, who had
known her from her babyhoo1, in a
soothing tone; well have your Char
ley all right, in no time. And we want
your wits to help u.s."
"What-oh, what is it," she walled,
white with terror.
There! there!" said the old doc.
tor, II shall not tell you unless you
control yourself better. Come, Ida!
Charley will need you. Be brave, nov
Gomez"
With a great effort Ida controlled
her quivering nerves.
Now tell me, quick!" she said.
Quick, so l can do what needs to be
done"
Charley fell down the iron steps at
the store, and was considerably hurt;
but he is out of all danger now, and
they will be here Immediately with
him"
Eyes. What can I do?" asked Ida,
white as death, but perfectly still and
calm.
You can fix a bed-down here, it
had better be. He can't very well be
taken upstairs"
yes" Then Ida fixed her eyes
full on the doctors face, and asked
one question: Doctor, will he die?"
mo, by Heavens help, not Of this!"
was the hearty reply.
1t eased Lida's heavy heart a little;
but, as she made her preparations, her
heart kept dumbly crying out: Il
did it! | did it! If had not driven
him away, this never would have oc,
Cured" And who could measure the
depths Of her bitter remorse?
They brought Charley in and laid
him upon the bed most ~tenderly. Poor
Ida spoke to him, but he did not
know her, even when she bent her
face in speechless sorrow down upon
his cheek.
How freely, then, would she have
given all the gay dresses and all the
fine friendships, yes, and all the en-
tire wealth of all the Mrs. Morgans
in the world, just to hear Charley say
once that he forgave her thoughtless
words.
But many long days and nights,
when all the world seemed to sink
into insignificance beside the balance
wherein hung Charley's dear life,
passed before Ida heard him speak
at all.
One evening, just as the sunset glow
fell over his bed, Charley opened his
eyes, turned his head and feebly
called:
"Lida!"
In an instant, sitting the rush of her
feelings, Ida bent above his pillow,
with a gentle hand upon his brow.
Charley, dear, do you want any
thing?"
"a drink, please"
She quickly brought him fresh wa.
ltl, ANU uLLSl HC lUOh a lIILIG, he
asked:
Have | been sick. Lida?"
Eyes, dear, but you are getting well,
now"
81 remember fell down the
stairs" he said, feebly.
Poor Ida wondered IL he remem-
bered all that dreadful evening. She
did not want to hurt him, but speak
she must, to save her own heart from
breaking. She said, very gently:
Charley, do you remember what |
said when you went out?"
mo, dear, what? About the dress?"
ooh, no! l don't care for dresses
now, Charley-only for you. 1t was
when you opened the door"
Il did not hear you say anything
after l opened the door. What was it,
lover
Nothing, If you did not hear. I am
so glad you're getting well, Charley"
And Ida bent her head with a sud-
den gush of thankfulness that he had
not heard, and that her cruel words
had not been burning in his heart and
brain all through his hours Of suffer.
ing.
He did not hear: but Lida's lesson
was learned, and, while she thanked
Heaven for the suffering thew had hoth