Perth Amboy evening news., 1905-10-06

AAthtC cloCh, anu L1ud Slauctu up, SUI
prised to see that it was half-past nine.
Why did not Charley come?
Ten struck-no Charley yet! Oh,
what was keeping him, when she
longed for him so much?
Half-past ten - eleven half-past
eleven. oh, where was Charley? With
bated breath, Ida listened to- every
sound in the street, her cheeks paling
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
it, but Charley could not punish her
so terribly. Something had detained
him. He would come soon-he would
come sooni
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 sumons.
She opened the door, and met old
DR.. Gordon upon the threshold.
"Oh, 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 babyhood, in a
soothing tone; "we'll have your Char
ley all right, in no time. And we want
your wits to help u.s." 1
"What-oh, what is it," she walled,
white with terror.
There! therei' said the old doc
tor. Il shall not tell you unless you
control yourself better. Come, Ida!
Charley will need you. Be brave, now
Gomez"
With a great effort Ida controlled
her quivering nerves.
Nov tell me, quick" she said
"Quick, SO l can do what needs to be
done"
Charley fell down the iron steps al
but he is out. of all danger now, and
they will be here Immediately will
him"
yes. What can l do?" asked Ida
white as death, but perfectly still and
calm.
you can fix a bed-down here, il
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, hel
heart kept dumbly crying out: q
did it! l 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 lai6
him upon the bed most tenderly. Poor
Ida spoke to him, but he did no
know her, even when she bent hel
face in speechless sorrow down upon
his cheek.
11OW itCVly, tllChs UOoio ohO
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 t%houghtless
words.
But many long days and nights.
when all the world seemed to sink
into insignifcance 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 hei
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
ter. and, after he took a little, he
asked:
"Have l been sick. Lida?"
Eyes, dear, but you are getting we'll,
now"
Il remember fell down the
stairs" he said, feebly.
Poor Ida wondered If he remem
bered all that dreadful evening. She
did not want to hurt him, but speal
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, MOI l don't care for dresses
now. Charley-only for you. 1t was
when you opened the door"
81 did not hear you say anything
after | opened the door. What was it,
lover"
Nothing, if you did not hear. | 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