Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1907-10-17
Her Second
Love
BY Mary Wilson
Copyright, by Joseph B. Bowles.)


and cold to me since Uncle Dennis
died. The three little children clungi
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. / couldn't tell them
then, their grief was too new, and be.
sides how could they understand? It
was on the third day that letter
came from Charlie, and my heart
lightened even 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 account of my recent bereave,
ment. In the letter he urged a
speedy marriage, and l was so sorry,
to be obliged to tell him that the
children were left without penny.
and that l could not leave them. I,
felt sure of Charles sympathy. for
Uncle Dennis had been so good to US
both. He had taken me, little or.
phaned girl, and cared for me as,
though l 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 l expected him to feel for the
little ones of his old friend. Instead
of writing, Charlie came. I saw him
as he walked quickly up 20 the door,,
and myself ran to let him in. How
handsome he looked in the stylish,
safe as he kissed me. Then we went
in the parlor, and it all happened.
Even now, after so many years, can,
not think of it quite composedly. He;
had plan and at once unfolded it
The children could go to an asylum, J,
and we could be married at once;
When he had said it all, the room;
seemed to be whirling round with me
| pressed both my hands to my head
before L could answer.
Uncle Dennis didn't put me in an;
asylum, Charlie; cannot send the,
children to one. l will not
Charlie laughed, his handsome eyes
on my face.
Then what are they to dog" he
asked.
They will go where 1 co." 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,"
Il can work for them, Charlie"
said, strange pain in my heart; 81
can take care of them until they
are older; I can't leave them, l am
good nurse; l can make enough
money, and Margaret will live with
them; she couldn't leave them any
more than l can
Charlie made a lite 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
nurse?"
The pain in my heart had grown
to terrible agony but all the time
[ felt the wild joy at the thought that
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 1 know he
stood before me; his cruel, handsome
face was all could see, and I longed
to go away from him.
Choose between me and the chill
dren, Allie" he said, and for answer
! 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, raised my
head and bravely left the room.
How l cried and sobbed when j
knew he was gone! After that there
wasn't much time for grieving over
lost lovers l 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 l 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
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 it all, my life was
not very bright, and l missed the gay
ETY. young people love. One evening
DIR. Murray, who was treating her,
and with whom l had become good
friends, car.se in with great basket
of roses.
See, Miss Ellington, what I've
brought you. Now, will you do some
thing for me?"
''rell me, l would be indeed hard
hearted to refuse" she said, bending
over the roses.
well, Patti is to sing tonight, and