The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-11-19

Tie house had been miserably dark
and cold to me since Uncle Dennis
died The three little children clung
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
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? 1t
was on the third day that a 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
speedy marriage, and l was so sorry
to he obliged to tell him that the
children were left without penny.
and that | could not leave them. !
felt sure of Charles sympathy. for
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 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 myself ran to let him in. How
handsome he looked in the stylish
city clothes! l felt so proud and
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,
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 could answer.
Uncle Dennis didn't put me in an
asylum, Charlie; l cannot send the
children to one. l 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 pref.
ty figure in New York boarding
house with three children? No, thank
you, my dear, cannot submit tn
it."
Il can work for them, Charlie"
said, a strange pain in my heart; IT
can take care of them until they
are older; can't leave them, / am
a 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 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 common
uurse?"
The pam in my heart had grown
to a terrible agony, but all the time
felt the wild joy at the thought that
I was not obliged to listen to Charles
cruel plans. | don't know just what
said my head was so hot. and NV
hands were so 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 off
and laid it on the table beside him.
then, for fear he might know some.
thing of what it cost me, 1 raised nv
head and bravely left the room.
How cried and sobbed when
knew he was gone! After that there
wasn't much time for grieving over
lost lovers. | knew how impossible n
would be find work in our dear. sleenv
little town, so we took the children
Margaret and /, and went to a larger
buster town. We rented rooms ana
before long l secured a position &c
nurse to Miss Ellington, a wealthy in.
valid.
So my new life began. tried IN
every way to brighten the life Of tho
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 n
come for tea with her.
But in spite of It all. nv life wos
not very bright and missed the gav.
ETY. young people love. One EVENING
DIR. Murray, who was treating ber
and with whom I had become GOOD
friends, came in with great basket
of roses. 'Ae'
See, Miss Ellington, what Two
brought you. Now, will Won do SOW
thing for me?H
Tell me, would be indeed bous
hearted to refuse" she said bendina
over the roses.
Well, Patti is to sing tonight ana
] wanted your permission tn asl NJ