Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-09-19

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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 camc
to me when the lawyer was gone,
sweet little Mary, and Bcss and Ben.
the jolly twins | 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
l%ightened even before the envelope
was opened. The letter was like all
Of his bright and CHEEKY, only this. OF
course. was tingcd with u little sad
ness on account of my recent bereaye.
ment. In the letter he urged a
speedy marriage, and | was 50 sorry
to be obliged to tell him that the
children were left without a penny,
and that J could not leave them. |
felt sure Of Charles sympathy. for
Uncle Dennis had been so good to ia
both. He had taken mo, n little or
btAhli'h bllIt anu Nal'u " Nv 20
though | had been n daughter. And.
having known Charles father, he SO.
cured for the boy a position that had
been Of great advantage to him, "
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.
md rntgn1T tav, 10 LOT hIVN In IInu
handsome he looked in the stylish
city clothes! | felt so proud aud
safe as he kissed me. Then we went
in the parlor, and 1t all happened
Even now, after so many years. | car
not think OF II quite c~omposcdly. lie
had a plan and at once unfolded 1t
The children could go to an asylum.
and we could he married at once
When he had said 1t all, the room
seemed to be whirling round with me
! pressed both my hands to my head
before | could answer.
Uncle Dennis didn't put me in an
asylum, Charlie; | cannot send the
children to one. will not"
Charlie laughed, his handsome eyes
on my face,
Then what are they to do?" he
asked,
They will go where I 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"
81 can work for them, Charlie" |
said, a strange pain in my heart; 81
ran take care of them until they
are older; | cant leave them, | am
"A good nurse; | can make enough
money. and Margaret will live with
them; she couldn't leave them any
nor than | 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 n girl who had been a common
nurSe2"
The pam In my heart had grown
to a terrible agony, but all the time
| felt the wild joy at the thought that
! was not obliged TO listen to Charles
cruel plans. | don't know Just what
| said, my head was SO hot, and my
hands were 80 cold, but | know he
stood before me; his cruel, handsome
face was all | could see, and | longed
to go away from him,
Choose between me and the chill.
dren, Allie" he said, and for answer
| took my pretty engagement ring on
and laid it on the table beside him:
then. for fear he might know some
thing Of what 1t cost me, ! raised my
head and bravely left the room.
How | cried and sobbed when ]
knew he vas gone! After that there
wasn't much time for grieving over
lost lovers. ! knew how impossible II
would be find work In our dear. sleepy
Margaret and |. 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. | 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 we're the presents she sent the
children, and had them sometimes ia
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 in with a great basket
Of roses.
See, Miss Ellington, what I've
brought you Now, will you do some
thing for me?"
Tell Sme, ! would be indeed hard
hearted to refuse" she said, bending
over the roses.
We'll, Patti is to sing tonight, and
wanted your permission to ask Miss
Wilder to go with me to hear her"
The words fairly took my breath
away. | was so surprised that
failed to hear Miss Ellington's reply
but in a moment DR.. Murray turned
to me with his rare, sweet smile. and
asked me to go with him.
After that | went out oftcner. some
times for a drive in the country. a.
the spring opened, when We Away.
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