The Washington times., 1908-08-30
Leper's Sorogv-Strcken Wife
Believes He VIII Be Cured
Mrs. Early Says Faith in God Will Effect Cure Is
Bowed in Grief Because She Is Not Al
lowed to Nurse Him.

John and i were married. We prom
ised 10 love and cherish each other in
Joy and sorrow, in sickness and health
Why can 1 not go to him and share
his burden? 1t is too much for him
alone"
No one of the few who heard the
little woman ask this attempted to an
swer. She expected none, but it was
some minutes before she half raised her
eyes from the red flower design in the
carpet and proceeded, slowly as before
Days of Horror.
IN the eight days that have elapsed
since ] learned OF this 1 have lived
years. 1t came suddenly-the news-and
il seemed TO turn me. to stone. ! did
not ery-I couldn't. I Gid not know
whether TO believe it o. not. but l Won
dered If man could be so cruel az to
pass such a judgment on a feIow-man
if it were not true. Oh. the days 1 have
lived and the nights I have lived since
that day"
Mrs. Early stopped and closed her
eyes. There WA no other movement of
the mask of sorrow that has placed il
self over the weman's delicate face.
But for that look of intense suffering
asleep But ere long the eyes opened
and they saw the red design in the par
Tor carpet and then looked up at her
visitors, somewhat surprised that they
were still present.
If / had received news that John
was dead or had been so badly injured
that he would die. it would be different.
1t is the prospect OF his living and / can
not go TO him and comfort him that 1
feel more keenly than anything else.
He has an abiding faith in God, Mrs.
Early" said one of her visitors.
For a minute there was no response,
and it was thought she had not heard
IL. Then she spoke:
Would Share His Sorrows.
He hal great faith. ana so have I.
i'm the mercy and wisdom Of God. she
said. In Him I place my trust now.
1 want to go with him to share his sor-
row, bus ! know he would rather that
/ should rot for my sake and the baby's.
God must direct me. He Will help me"
Il want 10 be near him, though, even
if / cannot remain Icy his side TO com
fort and nurse HIM hack 10 health. My
kind friends are now endeavoring TO
secure a cottage for me near the tent
i'm which John is living, and there /
would feel more contented, for 1 would
be nearer 10 him. That would be
great comfort to us both
Have you hope for your husband 5
ultimate recovery she was asked
The woman lifted her eyes SO quickly
that her visitors were surprised.
Had Read "Ben Hur"
"Oh, yes. =" she saiG, Il feel sure that
faith g. God viii bring him back 20
health. I read Ben Hur many years ago
and / remember how Christ cleansed the
mother and sister Of the young soldier.
The same Christ is watching over us. I
feel confident that he Will recover. I
was told today that a woman was dis
charged as cured by the Massachusetts
lepcr colony only a few years ago.
While there is life there Is hope.
shall never &c that"
And Mrs. Early. the wife OF John
Early. the leper Of Washington, bowed
her head as thoJ gh in prayer. Quietly
all others left the room, and an hour
later the frau little woman sat in the
same position. her head bowed. She
had never lifted 1t.