Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1908-05-14


since the day / left home. l have sunk
down lower and lower; and-and when L
was no longer pretty or young l sank low
er Shutdown to the depths II misery and
want and wretchedness till. hen the doc
tor found mel was nearly starving. !
have been a wicked woman-a wicked
woman; but if only I might know that
Godfrey forgave me. = should be happy
But have you written TO your nus
| band:'
"No-oh. no-f am not fit 10 write to him:
1 am not fit,' and all at once she burst
into low sobbing. then controlled herself
suddenly, and said: "lf I die. sister, will
YOU send and tell my husband that 1 was
sorry bitterly. bitterly sorry for all i lid.
Godfrey Danserfield. Manly farm. Hare
iield-that will find him"
Sister Helen ave the desired promise.
and soothcd her. patient to the best of her
power; and that night in her own room
she thought long and anXiously over the
sick woman's story. making up her mind
finally to a strange. step.
TWO days later there stood al the door
of the ward "a tall man with a kind. strong
face who asked for Sister Helen. And
when he was taken into her sitting room
TO her he held out his hand and grasped
hers in II grip that almost hurt her.
God bless YOU" he said, and his voice
shook. you must he a good oman
Sister Helen ooked into the strong face.
and the kindly brown eyes. and %instinc-
lively trusted their owner.
You are MIR. Godfrey Dangeriield. are
you not:.' she said. Was I wrong to
write TO you: L could not make up my
mind at. first what was right TO do: and
then 1t seemed to me that ! must write
and tell YOU that your wife is here. |
think was right, hecause-you have
come
II ann sure Won We're right" he answer
ed. My poor little wife: my poor Elsie.
" she knew how 1 have searched for her
all these years; how l have erieved for
her: sh" would not spcal of forgiveness
| May | see her?'' =
You know. Mr.. Dangerfield. that she
is very. very III: and that YOU will find
her terribly changed. You must let me
prepare her a little for seeing you. I felt
YOU would some. but l hardly thought you
would come so soon"
II came at once. directly I had read your
letter he said. and his voice was sur
prised "of course I came at once"
And through Sister Helen's mind swung
the words. THY love to me was wonder
ful." Truly this mans was a wonderful
love.
Sister Helen went softly TO the bedside of
Elsie Daneerfield and told her very quietly
that some one wanted to see her.
ITO see me? Why. l haven't a friend i'm
the world" the sick woman said, and
laughed harshly; "It must be some mis-
take
NO. 1t is no mistake Sister Helen re-
Piled. lit is-an old friend-who is very
anxious to see YOU. and who has come-a
long WY ON purpose to do So
n flush OF color famed over the white
face.
ut is not Godfrey-it could not be Cod
frey. she said. brolsenly: that is impos-
sible-how could lie know?" Her voice
l trGtleG into silence oS Sietor JJo}a,, H.
swiftly away. returning in a moment with
a tall man at her side.
Elsie Dangertield's bed was I'm a corner
of the ward surrounded by screens, and 1t
was not until the sister and her companion
were close to her side that Elsie caught
sight OF her visitor-as the sister stole
away. Then with a little cry the sick
woman covered her face with her hands.
saying brokenly:t
Oh why have you come? You cannot
ever forgive me. when you know-when
you know
dear" Godfrey answered. gravely. and as
ne spoke he knelt down beside his wife's
bad. and took her trembling hands in his.
II want nothing but to take you home.'
Take me home?' She looked at him
with dazed eyes. you can't mean that
you would have me at home again; you
can't mean that"
Butt do mean that" he spoke very
quietly. almost in a matter-of-fact voice,
seeing her great agitation. II have come
on purpose to see-to see how soon you
can travel. dear. L must nurse you back
to health again"
The sick woman was sobbing low, pitiful
sobs.
~ didn't know there was such love in
the world" she whispered, as Godfrey
stopped and kissed her. ST didn't know
anybody could forgive like this,
And a great restfulness came into her
eyes; a wonderful peace upon her worn
face.
oh. I will be good now. Godfrey. 1 will
be good she said. Now you have for
given mel think God will forgive me.
too. Butt have spoiled your life and my
OWL can never undo the past
Il We will put the past behind us and
not look back at 1t again." he answered.
we will star. afresh from today, my
little wife. and go on together. hand in
hand. We love each other, and we will
help each other. dear"
And when. later on, Elsie DanRerheld
told Sister Helen something of what her
husband had said to her, the sister said.
softly:
oh. my dear, / think your husbands
love for you is wonderful. DE- you know
those great words come back to me when
l think Of him and Of you. Down on your
knees n thank heaven fasting. for Z
q good mans love-"
a Distinguished Friend.
During a visit through Maine last
summer. we came upon q tiny hamlet
III yhof To N, ~ frovo tho hootor %.cnI. r<