The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1907-10-03

n
and cold to me since Uncle Dennis
died The three little children cIung
TO me In the most pitifuI 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! 1t
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, nt
course. was tinged with little sad
ness on account of my recent bereaye-
ment In the letter he urged
speedy marriage. and | was SO sorry
TO be Obliged to tell him that the
children were left without a penny.
and that | could not leave them. l
ieit 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 ] had been daughter. And.
having known Charles father, he SC.
cured for the boy a position that had
been OF great advantage 10 him. OF
course l. 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 myself ran to let him in. How
handsome he looked In the stylish
city clothes! | 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. | car.
not think OF 1t quite composedly. He
mad a plan and at once unfolded IL
The children could go to an asylum.
and we could be 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 ar
asylum. Charlie: | cannot send the
children to one. | will not"
Charlie laughed, his handsome eyes
on my face
Then what are they to dor" he
asked.
They will 20 where CO. 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"
Il can work for them, Charlie"
said, a strange pain in my heart; Il
ran take care of them until they
are older: ] can't leave them. am
a good nurse; | can make enough
money. and Margaret will live with
them; she couldn't leave them any
more than l 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-
ceiye a girl who had been 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. | don't know Just what
I said, my head was SO hot. and my
hands were so cold, but I 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
I took my pretty engagement ring of
and laid IL on the table beside him:
then. for fear he might know some
thing of what II cost me. | raised my
head and bravely left the room.
How cried and sobbed when
knew he was gonei After that there
wasn't much time for grieving over
lost lovers. knew how impossible II
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 | secured 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 were the presents she sent the
children. and had them sometimes To
come for tea with her
But in spite of 1t all. my he was
not very bright. and I missed the gay.
ETY. young people love One evening
DIR. Murray. who was treating her.
and with whom | had become good
friends. came in with a great basket
Of roses
See. Miss Ellington. shat I'VE
brought you Nov. win you do some
thing for me-"
Tell me, would be indeed hard
hearted to refuse" she said. bending
over the roses.
Well, Patti is To sing TO night, and
! wanted your permission to ask Miss
Wilder to go with me to hear her"
The words fairly TOOK my breath
away. was 50 surprised that
failed to hear Miss ElIington's reply.
but In q moment DR.. Murray turned
to me with bis rare, sweet smile. and
asked me to go with him.
After that | went ogt oftener. some
times for a drive in the country. as