The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1907-09-20

ana cold 10 me since uncle Dennis
died. The three little children chung
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 camo
to me when the lawyer was gone,
sweet little Mary, and Bess and Ben,
the jolly twins. 1 couldn't tell them
then, their grief was too new, and be.
sides how could they understand? II
was on the third day that a letter
came from Charlie, and my heart
lightened yer before the envelope
was opened. The letter was like all
of his bright and CHEEKY, only this, Of
course. was tinged with a little sad
ness on ccoun of my recent bereave-
ment. In the letter he urged q
speedy marriage, and I was SO sorry
to be obliged TO tell him that the
children we're left without a penny.
and that I could not leave them. l
felt sure of Charles sympathy. for
Uncle Dennis had been sc good to us
both. He had taken me, a little or.
phoilCu 6Aii anu CdiCu loI mO 10
though I had been a daughter. And,
having known Charles father, he Sc
cured for the boy a position that had
been Of great advantage to him. OF
course / expected him to feel for the
little ones of his old friend. Instead
Of writing, Charlie came. ! saw him
as he walked quickly up to the door.
and my9elf ran to let him in. How
handsome he looked in the stylish
city clothes! I felt so proud and
safe as he kissed me. Then we went
In the parlor, and 1t all happened.
Even now, after so many years, I can
not think Of it quite composedly. He
had a plan and at once unfolded it
The children could go to an asylum,
n we could be married at once.
When he had said 1t all, the room
seemed to be whirling round with me
I pressed both my hands to my head
before 1 could answer.
Uncle Dennis didn't put me in an
asylum, Charlie; 1 cannot send the
children to one. 1 will not"
Charlie laughed, his handsome eyes
on my face.
Then what are they to do?" he
asked.
They will go where 1 CO." I re-
piled.
Again he laughed.
Now, Allie, wouldn't we cut a pref.
ty figure in a New York boarding
house with three children? No, thank
you, my dear, ! cannot submit to
It,"
II car work for them, Charlie" l
said. a strange pain in my heart; II
a take care of them until they
are older; I can't leave them, l am
a good nurse; I can make enough
money, and Margaret will live with
them; she couldn't leave them any
more than I can"
Charlie made a little gesture of i'm.
patience.
Allie, all that is sheer nonsense. ]
don't want an old maid for my wife,
and do you think my mother would re-
ceive a girl who had been a common
uurse?"
The PAIN In my heart had grown
W q SiitbiO oSohy u dl lu6 llUl6
I felt the wild joy at the thought that
I was not obliged to listen to Charles
cruel plans. I don't know just what
I said, my head vas so hot, and my
hands were SO cold, but I know he
stood before me; his cruel, handsome
face was all / could see, and I longed
to go away from him.
sNhaoea hotuyaor - - a. -,
dren, Allie" he said, and for answer
I took my pretty engagement ring OF
and laid 1t on the table beside him:
then, for fear he might know some
thing of what 1t cost me, I raised my
head and bravely left the room.
How I cried and sobbed when ]
knew he was gone! After that there
wasn't much time for grieving over
lost lovers. I knew how impossible it
would be find work In our dear, sleepy
little town, so we took the children.
Margaret and l. and went to a larger,
buster town. We rented rooms and
before long I secured a position as
nurse to Miss Ellington, a wealthy In
valid.
So my new life began. I tried in
every way to brighten the life Of the
poor lady, and at last, from doing so
much for her, / began to love her dear.
ly; 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
moi very bright. and I missed the gay
ETY. young people love. One evening
DR.. Murray. who was treating her,
and with whom l had become good
friends, came in with a great basket
of roses.
See. Miss Ellington. what I've
brought you. Now. will you do some
thing for mel"
Tell me. ] would be indeed hard
hearted to refuse" she said. bending