The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1907-09-27
HER SECOND
BY Mary Wilson
Copyright, by Joseph b. Bowles.)

The house had been miserably dark
and cold to me since Uncle Dennis
dled. The three little children cluns
to me in the most pitiful way, and
my heart almost broke for them
when the lawyer told me that they
would have nothing in the world after
everything was settled up. They came
10 me when the lawyer was gone,
sweet little Mary, and Bess and Ben,
the Jolly twins | couldn't tell them
then, their grief was too new, and be
sides how could they understand? Il
was on the third day that letter
came from Charlie, and my heart
hghtened even before the envelope
was opened. The letter was like all
OF his bright and CHEEKY, only this OF
course. was tinged with little sad
ness On account of my recent bsNave-
ment. In the letter he w III Il
speedy marriage, and l was So torrv
to be obliged to tell him that the
children were left without penny.
and that l could not leave them. |
felt sure of Charles sympathy. for
Uncle Dennis had been SO good to ue
both. He had taken me, little or
phaned girl, and cared for me as
though | had been daughter. And,
having known Charles. father, he Sc
cured for the boy position that had
ilas'en of great advantage to him. OF
past t-se expected him to feel for the
ssones of his old friend Instead
writing, Charlie came l saw him
he walked quickly up to the door.
Gehfyself ran to let him in. How
~ rndsome he looked in the stylish
.ty clothes. | felt so proud and
i;ate as he kissed me. Then we went
Win the parlor, and it all happened.
Even now, after SO many years, | can
{ not think of it quite composedly. He
O aad plan and at once unfolded it
r The children could go to an asylum,
G. and we could be married at once
+ When he had said it all, the room
seemed to be whirling round with nue.
I pressed both my hands to my head
before | could answer
d Uncle Dennis didn't put me in an
asylum, Charlie; I cannot send the
children to one. l will not
Charlie laughed, his handsome eyes
on my face.
Then what are they to do?" he
They will 90 where l CO." I re-
piled.
Again he laughed
Now. Allie. wouldn't we cut pref
ty figure in New York boarding
house with three children? No, thank
you, my dear, | cannot submit to
it"
II can work for them, Charlie" l.
said, strange pain in my heart; 81
can take care of them until they
are older; can't leave them am
good nurse; | can make enough
. money, and Margaret will live with
them; she couldn't leave them any
more than | can
Charlie made little gesture of i'm.
patience.
Allie, all that is sheer nonsense !
L
and do you think my mother would re-
ceive girl who had been common
uurse?"
The pain in my heart had grown
to a terrible agony, but all the time
felt the wild joy at the thought that
7 was not obliged to listen to Charles
cruel plans. l don't know just what
said, my head was so hot, and my
hands were SO cold, but ! know he
stood before me; his cruel, handsome
face was all l could see, and longed
to go away from him.
Choose between me and the chill
dren, Allie" he said and for answer
7 took my pretty engagement ring off
and laid it on the table beside him.
then, for fear he might know some
thing of what it cost me- I raised my
head and bravely left the room.
How / cried and sobbed when I
knew he was gone! After that there
wasn't much time for grieving over
lost lovers. | knew how impossible it
WOULD be find work in our dear, sleepy
IL, III,
Margaret and /, and went to a larger,
buster town We rented rooms and \
before long | secured a position, as
nurse to Miss Ellington, wealthy in
valid.
So my new life began. l tried in
every way to brighten the life of the
Door lady, and at last, from doing so
much for her, began to love her dear
"; then my work was light indeed.
Many were the presents she sent the
children, and had them sometimes to
come for tea with her.
But in spite of 1t all, my life was
not very bright, and missed the gay
ETY. young people love. One evening
DR.. Murray, who was treating her
and with whom !, had become good
friends, came ia. with great basket
Fof rosess
Miss Ellington, what I've |
Brought you. Now, will you do some
thing for me?"
E"Tell me, / would be indeed hard |